Microcomputer Boards Research Articles

Microcomputer based embedded SCADA and RFID systems implemented on LINUX platform

Possibilities and ways of design, implementation and application of microcomputer based embedded SCADA and RFID systems implemented on LINUX platform are considered, proposed and described in the paper. It is proposed to use open source hardware and software microcomputer technologies for design and implementation of the systems. Major possibilities and advantages of implementation and application of such systems are described. One such practically designed and implemented system that performs data acquisition and appropriate control is presented and described. Technologies used to realize the system, as well as embedded application of such solution are described. The system hardware was implemented using open source microcomputer boards, RFID and other sensors, WiFi router and additional electronics. The system software was implemented using open source tools and programs and LINUX operating system. The system was realized using modular approach. It enables easy system expandability, simplifying maintenance and adapting of the system to user requirements and needs. Access to system monitoring and control is possible using web based user interface and command line interface. It is achieved balance between functionality and cost of the system. Main advantages of the system compared with standard SCADA and RFID systems are low cost of the system, optimization according to user requirements and needs and low consumption of electrical energy. It is specialized and optimized system for specific requirements and needs.

Peripheral hardware and a hands-on multitasking lab

Two teaching approaches are described. The first uses a set of 15 small, prebuilt hardware assemblies for microprocessor laboratories. The second, a multitasking laboratory-oriented course, lets undergraduate students carry out embedded-control projects, using a low-cost system of microcomputer boards that they wire to rebuilt peripheral boards. The hardware modules conveniently allow laboratory activities that focus on embedded hardware applications. The multitasking course goes even further into real-time systems, as well as teaching group project ideas. The programming languages used, the course sequence, and the laboratory equipment are described.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Design and implementation of a hypercube multiprocessor

The paper reports the design and implementation of a eight-node multiprocessor with the hypercube technology using general-purpose microcomputer boards employing off-the-shelf circuit components. A software communication kernel developed to support the intemode communication in the hypercube is also described.

Design of a Microprocessor Control System for a Solid-Fuel Water Boiler

A design of an industrial microcomputer control system for a 1.6-MW boiler using solid fuel is presented. Instrumentation and control philosophies for the boiler are discussed. The microcomputer system is based on standard iSBC microcomputer boards. The software consists of a real-time operating system RXM/80 and application tasks. The designed control system saves fuel and gives a more reliable over-all operation.

A fault-tolerant microcomputer with fail-safe outputs

A high reliability microcomputer system is presented which can be used in applications where diagnosis and total or partial recovery capabilities are needed. The system is realized using two typical microcomputer boards, with ROM, RAM and I/O, whose address and data outputs are compared by an arbitration unit. The agreement of data and addresses corresponds, by definition, to the correct running of the system. The supply and the clock are also duplicated and a hardware procedure is implemented which allows a real-time exchange of clocks if needed. The correct operation of the arbitration unit is checked through a software procedure which causes a periodical, controlled disagreement of data and/or addresses. The correct flow of the software is verified dividing the program in parts and testing the duration of each block and the number of blocks. When a hardware or software fault is recognised, recovery procedures can start based on separate tests of both CPU boards: depending on the results of the tests the system can resume to work in a degradated way or go out-of-service. Finally the self-test capabilities of the proposed microcomputer are used to develop a fail-safe system which could find interesting applications in fields such as railways, nuclear plants, etc.

Operating Experience with a New Accelerator Control System Based upon Microprocessors

This paper will describe the design and operating experience with a high performance control system tailored to the requirements of the SuperHILAC accelerator. A large number (20) of the latest 16-bit microcomputer boards are used in a parallel-distributed manner to get a high system bandwidth. Because of the high bandwidth, software costs and complexity are significantly reduced. The system by its very nature and design is easily upgraded and repaired. Dynamically assigned and labeled knobs, together with touch-panels, allow a flexible and efficient operator interface. An X-Y vector graphics system provides for display and labeling of real-time signals as well as general plotting functions. This control system allows attachment of a powerful auxiliary computer for scientific processing with access to accelerator parameters.

A High Performance/Low Cost Accelerator Control System

Implementation of a high performance computer control system tailored to the requirements of the SuperHILAC accelerator is described. This system uses a distributed (star-type) structure with fiber optic data links; multiple CPU's operate in parallel at each node. A large number (20) of the latest 16-bit microcomputer boards are used to get a significant processor bandwidth (exceeding that of many mini-computers) at a reasonable price. Because of the large CPU bandwidth, software costs and complexity are significantly reduced and programming can be less critical. In addition all programming can be in a high level language. Dynamically assigned and labeled knobs together with touch-screens allow a flexible and efficient operator interface. An X-Y vector graphics system allows display and labeling of real-time signals as well as general plotting functions. Both the accelerator parameters and the graphics system can be driven fram BASIC interactive programs in addition to the pre-canned user routines. This allows new applications to be developed quickly and efficiently by physicists, operators, etc. The system, by its very nature and design, is easily upgraded (via next generation of boards) and repaired (by swapping of boards) without a large hardware support group. This control system is now being tested on an existing beamline and is performing well. The techniques used in this system can be readily applied to industrial control systems.

Design forethought promotes easier testing of microcomputer boards: Michael D. Lippman and Edward S. Donn Electronics p. 113 (18 January 1979)

Design forethought promotes easier testing of microcomputer boards: Michael D. Lippman and Edward S. Donn Electronics p. 113 (18 January 1979)

Microprocessors in Italian industry: State of the art and probable trends

This paper surveys the state of the art of industrial applications, attempting to give an indication of what is being done in Italy, using either microprocessors chips or standard microcomputer boards.

Design of a small development system to teach microprocessors

Teaching of microprocessors requires courses which take place just between computer science courses and logic courses. The real synthesis of all these knowledges can only be made during tutorials when the student is in front of a concrete problem. System design and debug require many hardware and software tools for tutorials (one for each group of two or three students). Many constructors propose development systems or microcomputer boards (kits) for system design. The first ones are too efficient and expensive for tutorials and the second ones have limited possibilities. Consequently, we have constructed a “small development system” with an ordinary kit and some improvements in hardware and software which provide some interesting features for integration, testing and debugging of systems.

Design forethought promotes easier testing of microcomputer boards : Michael D. Lippman and Edward S. Donn. Electronics p. 113 (18 January 1979)

Design forethought promotes easier testing of microcomputer boards : Michael D. Lippman and Edward S. Donn. Electronics p. 113 (18 January 1979)