Big News in Small Packages: Siemens Launches Line of Nano Computers
December 1, 2011 by admin
Filed under Articles, Industrial PC
Siemens Industry is significantly extending its range of embedded industrial computers by adding a new product line of compact, energy-saving PCs in the nano format.
The new product line starts with two basic designs in a number of versions: the Simatic IPC227D Nanobox PC and the Simatic HMI IPC177D Nanopanel PC.
Designed for maintenance-free, 24 hour service—even when subjected to high temperatures, vibration, shock, and electromagnetic interference—the Nano IPCs feature the latest generation of Intel’s Atom processors at their core.
They are suitable for simple control, visualization, and communication tasks, and can be used as data loggers in areas such as machine building, traffic control, building automation systems, and energy transmission. Units can be put into service immediately, as they are available with pre-loaded software.
The IPCs power-optimized Atom processors deliver high-speed data processing and communications with low heat dissipation and power consumption starting at only 8 watts.
Both the IPC227D Nanobox and HMI IPC177D Nanopanel feature extraordinary resistance to vibration and shock, along with an integral 24V industrial power supply unit. For maintenance-free use, the units can be operated without ambient fans at temperatures up to 50°C (122°F). Compact flash cards with up to 8 GB capacity or solid-state devices (SSD) of up to 50 GB can be used with the computers as robust bulk storage devices.
“As another option, we offer a 250 GB hard disk for the Nanobox PC,” says Sidney McLaurin, Jr., product marketing manager, Automation Systems, at Siemens Industry. “Retentive memory of up to 512KB can also be integrated, if required, and used for applications without batteries. This is another example of the flexibility of these IPCs.”
The Simatic IPC227D Nanobox PC
With dimensions of 191x100x60 mm, the Nanobox PC fits easily inside small control cabinets, but also can be mounted directly onto a machine or machine base. It can be quickly installed in the four standard versions of DIN rail, wall, portrait, or landscape mounting, and provides all interfaces on a single side to simplify cable connections.
In its basic configuration, the Nanobox PC is completely maintenance-free, due to its dustproof enclosure and the absence of battery, fan, or hard disk. For expansion purposes, the IPC227D has the option of one PCIe slot, three serial interfaces, or four digital inputs and outputs. For fast device diagnosis, it has four status LEDs, three of which are fully programmable. Diagnostic software is pre-installed to provide comprehensive analysis ability.
The Simatic HMI IPC177D Nanopanel PC
This IPC is available with 7-inch, 9-inch, and 12-inch high-resolution industrial touch displays in wide-screen format, with a wide viewing angle. (Devices with larger displays are currently under development.) Because of its LED backlighting, dimmable up to 100 percent, the power consumption of the Nanopanel can be significantly reduced.
The HMI IPC177D is equipped with at least three USB 2.0 ports. It has a pair of gigabit Ethernet ports with teaming capability, of which one can be used, optionally, as a Profinet interface with real-time functionality. An RS232 interface is available as a serial port.
“These IPCs can be configured online and supplied on request with a pre-installed and activated operating system,” notes McLaurin. “Currently they are available with Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Windows Embedded Standard 2009, but versions with Windows 7 and Windows Embedded Standard 7 are under development.”
For more information on these Nanos, please go to the web at www.siemens.com/simatic-ipc.
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