SIMATIC PC-based Automation
Answers for industry.
Title sheet
SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
SIMATIC PC-based Automation
White Paper May 2012
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 2
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Industry Automation and Drive Technologies Service & Support Portal
This article is taken from the Service Portal of Siemens AG, Industry Automation and Drive Technologies. The following link takes you directly to the download page of this document.
http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/51418740
Note on security: The functions and solutions described in this entry are mainly limited to the realization of the automation task. In addition, please note that suitable security measures in compliance with the applicable Industrial Security standards must be taken, if your system is interconnected with other parts of the plant, the company’s network or the Internet. For further information on this issue, please refer to Entry ID 50203404.
http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/50203404.
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 3
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SIMATIC White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
<Titelunterschrift>
Introduction
1 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
2
SIMATIC IPCs with the Intel® Atom™ Processors
3
Applications
4
Links & Literature
5
Trademarks
6
Warranty and Liability
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 4
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Warranty and Liability Note This White Paper does not purport to cover all details or variations in equipment,
nor do they provide for every possible contingency. This White Paper does not represent customer-specific solutions. It is only intended to provide support for typical applications. You are responsible for ensuring that the described products are correctly used. This White Paper does not relieve you of the responsibility of safely and professionally using, installing, operating and servicing equipment. When using this White Paper, you recognize that we cannot be made liable for any damage/claims beyond the liability clause described. We reserve the right to make changes in this White Paper at any time without prior notice. If there are any deviations between the recommendations provided in this White Paper and other Siemens publications – e.g. Catalogs – the contents of the other documents have priority.
We accept no liability for information contained in this document.
Any claims against us – based on whatever legal reason – resulting from the use of the examples, information, programs, engineering and performance data etc., described in this White Paper shall be excluded. Such an exclusion shall not apply in the case of mandatory liability, e.g. under the German Product Liability Act (“Produkthaftungsgesetz”), in case of intent, gross negligence, or injury of life, body or health, guarantee for the quality of a product, fraudulent concealment of a deficiency or breach of a condition which goes to the root of the contract (“wesentliche Vertragspflichten”). However, claims arising from a breach of a condition which goes to the root of the contract shall be limited to the foreseeable damage which is intrinsic to the contract, unless caused by intent or gross negligence or based on mandatory liability for injury of life, body or health. The above provisions do not imply a change in the burden of proof to your disadvantage.
It is not permissible to transfer or copy this White Paper or excerpts thereof without express authorization from Siemens Industry Sector.
Preface
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 5
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Preface
About this document
This White Paper provides you with answers to the following questions:
• What is new in the Intel® Atom™ processor family?
• How has Siemens implemented the new Intel Atom processor family in SIMATIC IPCs?
• What is the benefit gained from using the new Intel Atom processors in SIMATIC IPCs?
Note The information provided in this documentation contains merely general descriptions or performance characteristics, which in case of actual use, do not always apply as described or may change as a result of further development of the products. An obligation to provide the respective characteristics shall only exist if expressly agreed in the terms of contract.
Published by
Siemens AG
Sector Industry, Industry Automation, Industrial Automation Systems
90475 Nuremberg
Germany
Table of Contents
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 6
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Table of Contents Warranty and Liability ................................................................................................. 4 Preface .......................................................................................................................... 5 1 Introduction........................................................................................................ 7 2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family....................................................................... 8
2.1 Intel® Atom™ microarchitecture ........................................................... 8 2.2 Intel® Atom™ Processors N270, Z510 / Z530, E620 / E640 /
E660 ..................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Architecture of the Intel® Atom™ processor E6xx series
platform .............................................................................................. 12 2.4 Technology......................................................................................... 15 2.4.1 Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology ................................................... 15 2.4.2 "ACPI" power management................................................................ 17 2.4.3 "SpeedStep" power saving function (EIST)........................................ 18 2.4.4 Wake on LAN ..................................................................................... 18 2.4.5 Graphics Engine Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 600 .................. 19 2.5 Operating systems ............................................................................. 20
3 SIMATIC IPCs with the Intel® Atom™ Processors........................................ 21 3.1 Overview ............................................................................................ 21 3.2 Released operating systems.............................................................. 21 3.3 Control with Nano IPCs...................................................................... 21 3.4 Visualization with Nano IPCs ............................................................. 23 3.5 Configuration of visualization applications for Nano IPCs with
the TIA portal...................................................................................... 23 3.6 Intel Atom technology performance (CPU) comparison..................... 25
4 Applications ..................................................................................................... 26 4.1 Control and visualization .................................................................... 26 4.2 Communication gateway.................................................................... 28
5 Links & Literature ............................................................................................ 29 6 Trademarks ...................................................................................................... 29
1 Introduction
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1 Introduction Enabling particularly compact and energy-saving industrial PCs, the Intel® Atom™ processor E6xx series is a very low power system-on-chip (SoC) that offers a new level of platform flexibility. It eliminates manufacturer-specific system busses, such as the front-side bus (FSB), and utilizes the open PCI Express standard for processor-to-chipset interfaces. This feature permits connecting the processor with every PCIe-compatible device, such as I/O hubs from different manufacturers which were developed for application-specific requirements.
The processor is fit for industrial use and it satisfies the requirements for control and automation applications, including those for harsh environmental conditions. No fan is required since the processors in the family consume just 3.3 to 3.7 W due to Thermal Design Power (TDP).
The processor supports Hyper-Threading (HT) which permits the simultaneous execution of two software threads thus mimicking a multi-core processor for the software. At the same time the on-chip power-optimized 2D/3D graphics engine enhances visualization applications at low load on the processor. The processor is suitable for simple control, visualization and communication tasks and it does not only satisfy the requirements of industrial applications but also traffic control, building automation or energy transmission.
This White Paper describes:
• New features of the Intel Atom processor E6xx series
• The application of Intel® Atom™ processors in SIMATIC IPCs
• Application and performance data of the SIMATIC IPCs in an industrial environment
Figure 1-1
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
2.1 Intel® Atom™ microarchitecture
Like the long established Intel® Core™ processor family, the Intel® Atom™ microarchitecture is continuously innovated according to a defined schedule. A model is used here designed to deliver ongoing innovation. The Intel processor family follows the "Tick-Tock model" where the release of a new architecture (Tock) is followed by a reduction of the associated processor structures by improving the manufacturing process (Tick). As shown in the figure below, the Nehalem microarchitecture was first produced in 2009 on Intel® 45nm process technology (Tock). In 2010, the same microarchitecture was refined, implemented in the Intel® 32nm process technology (Tick) and released as Westmere.
Figure 2-1
The figure shows Intel's "Tick-Tock model" with the silicon technology of the next generation and with the new processor microarchitecture.
Improvements to the Intel Atom processor family follow a similar predictable schedule, with the difference being that improvements in the microarchitecture and processor manufacture are typically launched at the same time.
In general, the new silicon process technology employs smaller structures (e.g., transistors, conductors) that lower power consumption and power loss (e.g., TDP), thereby reducing the waste heat that must be drawn away from the system.
At the first product launch, the Intel Atom processor E6xx series runs at four different clock speeds ranging between 0.6 GHz and 1.6 GHz. The integrated 32-bit single-channel memory controller supports up to 2 GB of DDR2 memory at 800 MT/s (megatransfers per second). The DRAM configuration is permanently integrated.
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 9
Copyright Siemens AG 2012 All rights reserved
2.2 Intel® Atom™ Processors N270, Z510 / Z530, E620 / E640 / E660
The following table shows a summary of the characteristic data of the Intel® Atom™ processors N270, Z510/Z530 and E620/E640/E660.
Table 2-1
Product Name Intel® Atom™ Processor
N270
Intel® Atom™ Processor
Z510
Intel® Atom™ Processor
Z530
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E620
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E640
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E660
Essential elements
Launch date / Markteinführung
Q2 '08 Q3 '10
# of Cores / Anzahl physikalischer Prozessorkerne
1
# of Threads / Anzahl an logischen Rechenkernen
2 1 2 2
Clock Speed / Taktfrequenz
1.6 GHz 1.1 GHz 1.6 GHz 600 MHz 1.0 GHz 1.3 GHz
Cache / Speicher
512 KB L2 Cache
Bus Type / Bus Typ
FSB PCIE
System Bus / System Bus
533 MHz 400 MHz 533 MHz 2500 MHz
Instruction Set / Adressraum
32-bit
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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Copyright Siemens AG 2012 All rights reserved
Product Name Intel® Atom™ Processor
N270
Intel® Atom™ Processor
Z510
Intel® Atom™ Processor
Z530
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E620
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E640
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E660
Instruction Set Extensions / Befehlssatz
SSE2, SSE3, SSSE41
Embedded Options Available / Embedded Optionen
Yes
Lithography / Strukturdichte
45 nm
VID Voltage Range / Spannungsbereich am Prozessorkern
0.9V – 1.1625V 0.75V – 1.1V 0.75V – 1.1V 0.75V – 1.1V
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) for IA-32, Intel® 64 and Intel® Architecture (Intel® VT-x
No No Yes Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Yes No No No
Idle States / Ruhezustand
No Yes Yes Yes
Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep® Technology
Yes
1 SSE and SSSE are an instruction set extension to x86 processors and primarily designed for floating point operations.
SSE = Streaming SIMD Extensions (SIMD = Single Instruction Multiple Data)
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 11
Copyright Siemens AG 2012 All rights reserved
Product Name Intel® Atom™ Processor
N270
Intel® Atom™ Processor
Z510
Intel® Atom™ Processor
Z530
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E620
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E640
Intel® Atom™ Processor
E660
Thermal Monitoring Technologies / Temperaturüberwachung
Yes
Chipset used
Power consumption CPU 2.5 Watt 2 Watt 2 Watt 3.3 - 3.7 Watt
Power consumption chipset
6 Watt 2.3 Watt 2.3 Watt 1.5 Watt
Conclusion
The low total power consumption of processor and chipset results in a lower waste heat so that an entirely enclosed housing design is possible requiring no fan.
Faster data exchange is possible in addition due to the changed bus system (PCIE replaces the FSB).
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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2.3 Architecture of the Intel® Atom™ processor E6xx series platform
A major challenge when developing a system-on-chip (SoC) is delivering the right set of features to satisfy a wide range of industrial applications. This is achieved with the Intel Atom processor E6xx series, a highly integrated SoC that connects to application-specific components, i.e. I/O hubs and ASICs, via PCI Express. This approach allows equipment manufacturers to build devices with precisely the features and I/O they need. Intel's solution enables compact designs with the flexibility needed to satisfy the performance, I/O power and board size requirements for space-constrained embedded applications.
Keeping component count low, the Intel Atom processor E6xx series integrates general embedded functionality, such as 2D/3D graphics, display and memory controllers, audio, PCI Express and some basic I/O.
It is possible to achieve a two-chip solution when the other required features can be integrated into an I/O chip. This is illustrated on the right side of Figure 2-2.
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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Copyright Siemens AG 2012 All rights reserved
Figure 2-2
Intel ® Atom TM Processor Z5xx Series
ProcessorCore
Graphics &Video Audio
MemoryController
IDE USB host
2x1PCI Express
SDIO/MMC
SPI/PC
GPIO
Intel ® System Controller HUB US15W
Front Side Bus (FSB)
Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA)
CANController
EthernetController
CAN Ethernet
SPI
PCI Express
2008 Platform
SDVO/LVDS
DDR2/533 MHz
Intel ® Atom TM Processor E6xx Series
ProcessorCore
Graphics &Video
Audio
MemoryController
SPI/PC GPIO
2010 Platform
SDVO/LVDS
DDR2/800 MHz
4x1 PCI Express
PCI Express
Intel ® Platform Controller Hub EG20T
UART CAN
SPI
SDIO/MMC
GPIO
USB host
USB client PC
Ethernet MAC SATA
Key: Functionaltity moved from chipset to processor
New functionality
Glossary:
CANController Area Network
GPIOGeneral PurposeInput/Output
IDEIntegrated developmentenvironment
PCI ExpressPeripheral ComponentInterconnect Express
SATASerial Advanced Technology Attachment
SDIO/MMCSecure Digital Input Output/ Multimedia Card
SDVO/LDVSSerial Digital Video Out / Low-voltage differential signaling
SPI/PCSerial Peripheral Interface
UARTUniversal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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Figure 2-2 illustrates that Intel Atom processor E6xx series make manufacturer-specific bus systems superfluous and that they increase the flexibility of the I/O devices.
In comparison: Prior generation Intel Atom processors are paired with an Intel system controller hub using a proprietary front-side bus (left in Figure 2-2). The required system controller hub contains a graphics engine and memory controller which are now integrated in the Intel Atom processor E6xx series. If other I/Os are required, another device, such as an ASIC, can optionally be added.
A drawback of this 2008 platform is that it is not possible to substitute the system controller with a customer-specific device. This restriction is eliminated now with the Intel Atom processor E6xx series. In fact, the new Intel Atom processor based platform accommodates up to four I/O devices over PCI Express. With the 2010 platform, a combination of proprietary devices, such as network adapters, ASICs and I/O hub, can be connected simultaneously, as shown in Figure 2-3.
Figure 2-3
Intel ® Atom TM Processor E6xx Series
ProcessorCore
Graphics &Video
Audio
MemoryController
SPI/PC GPIO
PCI Express
Discrete PCIExpress Device
ASIC
Intel® PlatformController Hub G20T
Glossary:SPI/PC: Serial Peripheral InterfaceGPIO: General Purpose Input/OutputPCI Express: Peripheral Component Interconnect Express ASIC: Application Specific Integrated CircuitFPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array
Figure 2-3 shows that the Intel Atom processor E6xx series connects up to four I/O devices via PCI Express.
Suitable for many industrial applications, the Intel® Platform Controller Hub EG20T integrates a good mix of common I/O. These include SATA, USB client, SD/SDIO/MMC, a gigabit Ethernet MAC, as well as general embedded interfaces such as CAN, IEEE* 1588, SPI, I2C, UART and general purpose I/O (GPIO).
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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2.4 Technology
2.4.1 Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
The Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) is used in the Intel Atom processor E6xx series. All processors used in the Nano IPCs support this feature which provides the physical processor core with another parallel virtual processor core. Additional program components can be executed in parallel on this virtual core if the processor capacity is not fully utilized by the first thread.
When Intel HT Technology is enabled on the Intel Atom processor E6xx series; the Windows operating system displays two available logical cores in the Windows Task Manager. The performance gain due to Intel HT Technology can be as high as 30 percent, but it depends on the application software. Generally, the performance of a core with enabled Intel HT Technology is lower than the performance of two physically separated cores. Additionally, the overall performance depends on factors such as the degree of parallelization of the programs being processed, dependencies of individual threads on one another, total number of open (running) programs and the distribution of threads by the operating system.
Intel HT Technology provides separate data paths for two tasks which means that the processor maintains two execution states at the same time. As a result, the CPU will process another task if the task it is executing stalls (e.g., waiting for an I/O device), which eliminates wasteful idle time.
The performance improvement derived from Intel HT Technology is illustrated in Figure 2-4, showing three multi-tasking examples. Firstly, the tasks are executed sequentially, task 1 followed by task 2. Secondly, the tasks are assigned alternating time slots. These first two examples require about the same amount of time because they both incur significant delays when the CPU must wait for data. Thirdly, Intel HT Technology executes tasks concurrently, taking advantage of idle time to work on another task and thus reducing overall execution time. The key benefits of Intel HT Technology are greater performance, lower power consumption and smaller form factor, compared to adding a physical processor core to increase computer capacity.
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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Figure 2-4
Figure 2-4 shows: Intel HT Technology executes two software tasks at the same time.
Task 1 Time Task 2 Time
Task 2 Task 1
Saving time
Parallel execution without Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
Parallel execution with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
CPU
Cycles
CPU
Cycles
CPU
Cycles
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2.4.2 "ACPI" power management
ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)
ACPI makes available diverse interfaces - among others, those for power management. There are many options for saving power through ACPI. The computer can assume various "idle states" for this purpose. These "idle states" are defined in the ACPI specification.
Operating modes of the processor
ACPI defines 4 CPU states from "C0 - processor executes code" to "C3 - processor is totally idle". With ascending state number the time increases until the CPU returns to the C0 state.
Operating modes of the system
ACPI defines 5 operating modes from S1 to S5. Some features are given in the following.
Note Availability of the operating modes depends on the installed operating system. Furthermore, note the instructions for the operation of WinAC RTX. (WinAC RTX does not permit using the "Hibernate mode" of the operating system.)
• S0 - System functions normally.
• S1 - CPU in stop, monitor off. "Wake up" to the "S0 operating state" within few clock cycles.
• S2 - Slightly deeper "sleep mode" than "S1". CPU entirely without power. Wake up time slightly longer than "S1".
• S3 - Standby mode. Most of the mainboard hardware has been switched off; the operating state is saved to a volatile memory. "Wake up time" few seconds.
• S4 - Hibernate mode. The operating state has been saved to a non-volatile memory. Complete boot process of BIOS. The operating system will start as from "S3" then. The hibernate mode is ended by switching the IPC off and on with the main switch.
• S5 - Soft-Off: The operating system is shut down and switches the power supply to the Soft-Off mode. The system can be reactivated with a mechanical push button ("power ON") which is connected to the mainboard or - depending on the model and BIOS setting - via the network interface "Wake on LAN" (WoL).
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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2.4.3 "SpeedStep" power saving function (EIST)
Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Similar to ACPI, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology serves for power saving of Intel processors. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology allows reducing the computer performance/clock rate, for instance, if the CPU load is small.
The reduced clock speed reduces the voltage which, in turn, influences the heat generation of the CPU.
Furthermore, costs can be cut thanks to smaller accumulators or capacitors for uninterrupted power supply (UPS) of IPCs.
2.4.4 Wake on LAN
"Wake on LAN" (WoL) allows "restarting" a computer within a network from a remote computer. For this purpose, a special data package (Magic Packet) is sent to the computer which is to be restarted. The computer which receives the "Magic Packet" must be provided with hardware which supports "Wake on LAN":
The following components of the IPC must support WoL:
• Mainboard
• Network adapter
• Adapter driver
• BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
The computer can thus be activated even though the operating system has been shut down. The power switch must not be switched off.
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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2.4.5 Graphics Engine Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 600
The Intel Atom processor E6xx series has an on-chip 2D/3D graphics engine that performs pixel shading and vertex shading within a single hardware accelerator. The pixel processing is delayed until the pixels shall become visible. This reduces access to the memory and improves the performance.
The graphics engine has various Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), including the following:
• OpenGL*
• ES2.0
• OpenGL 2.1
• OpenVG 1.1
It supports hardware-accelerated HD video decoding and encoding.
Decoding: MPEG2, MPEG4 part 2, H.264, WMV9 and VC1
Encoding: MPEG4 part 2, H.264
The display controller supports LVDS and SDVO displays, 80 MHz and 160 MHz, respectively.
Nanobox IPC227D
The following screen resolutions can be defined via the system for IPC227D:
• 640 x 480
• 800 x 600
• 1024 x 768
• 1280 x 1024
• 1440 x 900
• 1600 x 1200
• 1680 x 1050
• 1920 x 1080
• 1920 x 1200
Nanopanel IPC277D
IPC277D is available with the following screen sizes:
• 7" TFT color display touchscreen - resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
• 9" TFT color display touchscreen - resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
• 12" TFT color display touchscreen - resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
2 Intel® Atom™ Processor Family
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2.5 Operating systems
The Intel Atom processor E6xx series is supported by all leading Embedded 32-bit operating systems:
Table 2-2
Operating system
Linux • Fedora
• Yocto
• Wind River Linux
Microsoft Windows • Windows Embedded 7
• Windows Embedded 2009 Standard
• Windows Embedded 2011
• Windows XP
• Windows 7
• Windows CE
• Windows Compact
• Windows Embedded POSReady
Other • VxWorks
• QNX
• Green Hills INTEGRITY
Since Intel HT Technology is anchored in hardware, it can generally be used with any operating system. It should be noted that for some features, such as power management, Intel HT Technology should be deactivated when running real-time operating systems in order to maximize determinism.
3 SIMATIC IPCs with the Intel® Atom™ Processors
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3 SIMATIC IPCs with the Intel® Atom™ Processors
3.1 Overview
Used processors
Table 3-1
Type Nanobox PC IPC227D Nanopanel PC IPC277D (7" to 19")
Intel® Atom™ processor
E620 E640 E660 E640 E660
Clock speed 600 MHz
1.0 GHz 1.3 GHz 1.0 GHz 1.3 GHz
Cores/ Threads
1/2
Processor power loss
3.3 - 3.7 Watt
3.2 Released operating systems
Table 3-2.
Operating system List
Microsoft Windows • Windows Embedded 7
• Windows Embedded 2009 Standard
• Windows XP
• Windows 7
3.3 Control with Nano IPCs
In the industrial environment it is not only the maximal achievable performance that plays a role, it is also a minimum performance that is reliably available to ensure a predictable response of a system.
If the software controller SIMATIC WinAC RTX2010 or the fail-safe version SIMATIC WinAC RTX F is used with a SIMATIC Nano IPC, a system can be realized with which a predictable performance will reliably be available both for SIMATIC WinAC RTX (F) and for the Windows part.
SIMATIC Nano IPCs can be used with the software controller SIMATIC WinAC RTX without any restrictions. The following requirements have to be taken into account though.
• Intel HT Technology: The Intel HT Technology might impair the real-time capability of WinAC RTX, especially, at a high load from Windows programs. In the case of applications with high requirements for real-time, in particular, when using the clock-synchronized mode, it is recommended to deactivate the Intel HT Technology (to be done directly in BIOS).
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How many logical processor cores does SIMATIC WinAC RTX use?
Generally, SIMATIC WinAC RTX can run both on IPCs with one processor core and also on multiple-core processors. An IPC with one processor and Hyper-Threading appears like a multi-core processor from the software view (and, thus, from WinAC view).
When Hyper-Threading is activated, one of the two available logical processor cores will be used for SIMATIC WinAC RTX. No other applications will run on this logical core then.
The other logical processor core will be available for other applications, such as HMI, then.
Note When "Hyper-Threading" is deactivated, Windows must be set to a "Single-Core HAL" and, if required, WinAC RTX must be reinstalled. Information on this matter can be found in entry: 29001277
3 SIMATIC IPCs with the Intel® Atom™ Processors
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3.4 Visualization with Nano IPCs
The following software products are available for visualization applications with the Nano IPCs:
Configuration software:
• Recommended: SIMATIC WinCC V11 Advanced or SIMATIC WinCC V11 Professional
• SIMATIC WinCC flexible Advanced SP3
Note The configuration software also contains the runtime software for operator control and process monitoring on the Nano IPCs.
Runtime software for operator control and process monitoring on the Nano IPCs
• Recommended: SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Advanced V11
• WinCC flexible 2008 Runtime
Note A runtime file is created through compilation of the project file, e.g. by an IPC227D. The created runtime file can be used with one of the runtime software products specified before for operator control and process monitoring on the Nano IPC227D.
3.5 Configuration of visualization applications for Nano IPCs with the TIA portal
WinCC flexible Advanced can be used for configuring the Nano IPCs (IPC227D or IPC277D) by selecting a PC station (WinCC flexible Runtime) as control panel type.
We recommend using the software SIMATIC WinCC Advanced V11 or WinCC Professional V11.
WinCC Advanced V11 and WinCC Professional V11 provide key benefits here:
• The desired Nano IPC can be selected directly in the hardware catalog and be used via the project manager.
• The "widescreen format" is available.
The configuration view of the TIA portal is shown below.
3 SIMATIC IPCs with the Intel® Atom™ Processors
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 24
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View, IPC277D 12“ Touch PN/IE
Figure 3-1
View, IPC227D PN/IE
Figure 3-2
3 SIMATIC IPCs with the Intel® Atom™ Processors
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3.6 Intel Atom technology performance (CPU) comparison
Passmark 7.0 Rating
The figure below shows a performance comparison of different processors, focusing on the Intel Atom processors described in this whitepaper.
Figure 3-3
The performance comparison between the Intel Atom E6xx processor platform and Z530 and N270 shows that there are only slight performance differences. The decisive factor is the different distribution of the power consumption of chipset and CPU and the modified bus system. For more information, please refer to chapter 2.2.
The more even distribution of the power consumption of the Intel Atom E6xx processor platform leads to a better distribution of waste heat. Other advantages include the modified bus system (PCIE replaces the FSB) and improved graphics performance
4 Applications
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 26
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4 Applications
4.1 Control and visualization
Combination of operator panel and control
The combination of operator panel and control on a Nano IPC provides saving of space and permits use in confined space.
Other benefits of this combination:
• Open PC platform The Nano IPC can be combined with other standard software products, such as an Office environment. Archive data which have been created during runtime, for instance, can be displayed immediately with a spreadsheet application in this way.
• Integration of special tasks The engineering tool SIMATIC WinAC Open Development Kit (ODK) permits the flexible use of all resources of the IPC from the control program via three different interfaces to expand the PLC functionality.
• Automatic project transfer If required, different control projects can be loaded to the software controller WinAC RTX during runtime. Different tasks can be adapted during runtime in this way.
• Saving/archiving current PLC parameters A lot of storage space is available due to the PC environment. Therefore, extensive PLC data can be archived permanently and processed further.
4 Applications
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Schematic representation of SIMATIC HMI IPC277D
Figure 4-1
SIMATIC HMI IPC277D
WinAC WinCC Runtime Advanced
Software controller SIMATIC WinAC RTX
There are two different versions of the software controller WinAC RTX.
• SIMATIC WinAC RTX is the SIMATIC software controller for PC-based automation solutions and it permits realtime-capable deterministic control on the IPC.
• SIMATIC WinAC RTX F is the fail-safe SIMATIC software controller for PC-based automation and it permits solving standard and fail-safe control tasks with the IPC. The SIMATIC WinAC RTX F is realtime-capable.
4 Applications
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4.2 Communication gateway
Implementation of protocols and physical interfaces
It is frequently required to combine different systems. The compact Nanobox PCs SIMATIC IPC227D are a particularly suitable choice here. They have many different interfaces and permit integrating additional functions.
Table 4-1
Available interfaces Optional functions
• LAN
• PROFINET
• Serial interfaces – RS232 – RS485 – CAN
• as PC expansion card (PCIe), e.g. for PROFIBUS
• Diagnostics / Web server An example application is, for instance, "User-defined Web Sites for HMI Operator Units", to be accessed via the entry ID: "48955975" in the online support.
• Data preprocessing
• Integrating additional I/Os, such as PCIe card for SIMATIC IPC227D.
Examples of monitoring large diesel engines or gear units
The following figure shows an example configuration for the monitoring of large diesel engines or gear units (lubrication and temperature) as it can be used on ships or in wind generators, for instance.
Figure 4-2
Automation ShipAlarm System
OnlineServices
Auxiliary Control
Flat Panel DisplayOperator control
Thin Client DisplayOperator control
Web-Server DiagnosticsMaintenance
Additional expansion DisplayOperator control
Serial communicationMedia control Pump control
DVI
Ethernet
RS232/485
Additional PCIe-Carde.g. CANopen
Gateway
Conclusion
Due to the large number of available interfaces and the option of freely programming the Nanobox PC, a wide variety of gateways can be realized flexibly.
5 Links & Literature
White Paper: SIMATIC PC-based Automation with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Family Version 1.0, Entry ID: 51418740 29
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5 Links & Literature
Internet links
The following list is by no means complete and only presents a selection of related sources.
Table 5-1
Topic Title
\1\ Reference to this entry
http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/EntryID
\2\ White Papers on IPCs
http://www.automation.siemens.com/mcms/pc-based-automation/en/industrial-pc/support/Pages/infomaterial.aspx
\3\ Siemens I IA/DT Customer Support
http://support.automation.siemens.com
\4\ SIMATIC Nano IPCs
www.siemens.com/simatic-nano-ipc
\5\ SIMATIC PC-based Automation
www.siemens.com/pc-based
\6\ Intel http://www.intel.com
6 Trademarks Any product names mentioned may be trademarks or product designations, whose use by third parties for their own purposes may infringe the rights of the trademark owners.
Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Xeon, Xeon Inside, Intel Core and Intel Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Intel SpeedStep is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.
Copyright © Siemens AG 2011. All rights reserved.
The reproduction, transmission, or use of this document or its contents is not permitted without express written authorization. Violation of this rule can lead to claims for damage compensation. All rights reserved.