Nuremberg, June 1, 2007 - The Sicomp IMC industrial microcomputer system from Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) now offers compact and flexible expansion for centralized I/O (input/output) tasks. With the new digital and analog I/O expansion modules connected via a new CPCI base module, the maximum degree of expansion is up to 40 analog I/O ports, 160 digital I/O ports and 4 encoder/counter ports. The design of the new I/O solution is significantly more compact than before and thus frees up CPCI slots for additional applications. The new range is suitable for high-speed and real-time-enabled measuring tasks, and open-loop and closed-loop control tasks in industry.
The modular Sicomp industrial microcomputer in 19" withdrawable-unit design is expanded via the CPCI port using the new CPCI-SFT200 base module. This has four encoder/counter ports as well as four communications ports for connecting the new I/O expansion modules. Depending on the application, the base module is then expanded using the digital and analog I/O modules. A controller integrated on the base module offloads the CPU when it comes to controlling and monitoring the I/O.
The analog I/O module has more than eight analog inputs with selectable input voltage range, eight outputs, and four PT100 connections for temperature acquisition. The digital I/O module offers sixteen isolated digital inputs/outputs including power supply, and eight digital, 0.1-millisecond, 24-volt inputs including power supply. The digital inputs are "interrupt-enabled" and thus allow fast response to events in real-time mode.
Spring-loaded terminals with sustained spring contact energy guarantee constant secure contact on the I/O expansion modules even under high shock and vibration conditions. The direct connection method, where the signal lines are connected direct to the ports of the I/O modules without an additional terminal block, simplifies installation, startup and service. A host of monitoring and diagnostics functions have been integrated for high system availability: These range from watchdog, heartbeat and monitoring of communication with the I/O modules, right up to monitoring of the digital outputs for short-circuit, undervoltage, wirebreak and overheating.
Possible applications for the new centralized I/O expansion range from C/C++-based automation solutions with the real-time-enabled and multitasking-capable Sicomp RMOS3 operating system, up to Windows XP-based applications.
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