CompactPCI info - The SMA Industrial Computers Magazine

Issue 03 / October 2005

See below for a summary of magazine articles and links for more information. You can download the complete magazine in PDF format (1.7 MB) or request a printed copy be mailed to you.

Flying High

Safety: IGH Testing Facilities equipped with SMA CPU7

The Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft, successfully took off on its maiden flight some weeks ago. Unlike conventional aircraft, this giant requires special measures in order to guarantee safe take-off and landing. Due to its enormous weight, the so-called High-Lift-System is used to increase the lift of the aircraft during the slower phases of take-off and landing. This system has been used successfully in other commercial aircraft in the past. For the Airbus A380, the system is mandatory because, when fully laden, it could not land safely without it. The IgH Company in Essen, Germany, has developed two test stands for the Airbus company for testing the A380 slats for wear and tear, and for conducting "end-stop tests". SMA’s Pentium 4, CPU7.1 is used for control and data acquisition in this test stand.

The CPU7.1 is an AT compatible CompactPCI CPU with
Pentium IV processor
The successor: CPU7.2 (see next article also)
Find abundant material on the world’s biggest aircraft by visiting the special External link A380 website
More on the manufacturer: www.airbus.com
IgH is a service provider in the field of mechanical
developments (German language website only)
Wikipedia offers an informative article and more links

RIO from SMA

CPU7.2 Rear I/O Concept
Economical space savings

The concept of rear system input and output brings many advantages to any application. Without making the CPU any wider, more interfaces are available on the additional backside panel space. At the same time, systems remain small and appropriate for installation in locations where space is limited (vehicles, airplanes, compact machines). Plus, rear I/O options offer better protection against damages because cables and connectors are located at the back of the system and within the switch cabinet. And: When installing the CPU, no extra wiring must be taken into consideration — one less source of error.

CPU7.2: Pentium M Power for Every Application
Our data sheet (PDF 843 kB) helps you to visualize
the concept behind the CPU7.2 expansion boards
External link Intel Pentium M processors for embedded computing

A Simple Choice: The CompactFlash Decision

Why does an industrial-grade CompactFlash cost more than the one sold in the supermarket?

The CompactFlash (CF), a digital storage medium with no moving parts, is becoming more and more popular. CompactFlash cards are produced in increasing quantities and used in computers, digital cameras and PDA's. The capacity of CompactFlash cards, just like that of other storage media, is steadily increasing while at the same time, the prices are falling. This article will address the issue of why CompactFlash cards from the supermarket are not suitable for industrial applications. Part I provides an overview of the history as well as the different CompactFlash types and their functionality. Part II, online now exclusively at this website, goes into detail in terms of functionality and technology, and provides a forecast of what can be expected in the near future.

Read part II (PDF 180 kB)
Specifications and a product guide can be found on
the External link CompactFlash Association's homepage
IBM's microdrive is the smallest hard drive currently
available
The CompactFlash Performance Database is a
store of knowledge

Industrial-grade Ethernet

Ruggedized CompactPCI Ethernet Port

Ethernet has become a standard in the automation of industrial production facilities as well as in vehicle applications. Often, the CPU does not provide enough interfaces or the application requires ruggedized ports — the CLAN7 is a low-priced module that conveniently adds one or more Ethernet interfaces to any industrial-grade CompactPCI system.

CLAN7: Ruggedized Ethernet Port for CompactPCI
External link IAONA: the industry-independent institution for
industrial Ethernet

Seaflow Project

Energy from the Seas

The Bristol Channel, in Great Britain north of Cornwall, boasts the first marine current turbine. The prototype is the pilot plant of the so-called Seaflow Project which was launched after many years of research by British and German scientists. Currently, extensive measurements are being taken and practical experience collected before mass production begins following the testing period. SMA has provided the energy supply system as well as the CompactPCI industrial computer system responsible for operation control.

CompactMAX CPU6: Industrial features and

Pentium III Power

SMA Sunny Island inverters: Power supply for remote

areas – and for Seaflow

Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT): The heart of

Seaflow

The

ISET, a spin-off organisation from the Electrical

Engineering Department of the University of Kassel,

Germany, provided its expertise for the electrical

design

Cool Box

Air-conditioning included

Increasing demands on the performance of industrial-grade computer systems involve everincreasing clock frequencies of the specified processors. A higher clock frequency means more power dissipation which, in order to ensure operation, must be ventilated out of the system. SMA therefore offers a ventilated standard subrack, the Cool Box, offering new options in dependability for a variety of applications.

Cool Box: Small but powerful
Why care about waste heat management?
Find out here: “How to Beat the Heat”,
part I (PDF 667 kB) and part II (PDF 70 kB)

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