Control & connectivity

The Econ 100 is an ARM-based embedded PC platform for top-hat rail mounting incorporating a Linux operating system and unique multi-protocol support. Customer-specific gateway and control solutions can be swiftly and simply implemented for a variety of different fieldbus and industrial Ethernet standards. From the 'out-of-the-box' variant to specific OEM solutions, the Econ 100 comes offers a high degree of flexibility and performance.

In addition to the on-board interfaces (two Ethernet, two CAN and two USB interfaces), the Econ 100 can be expanded by means of a new expansion board: Alongside analogue and digital I/Os, the expansion card offers a slot for HMS Anybus CompactCom modules, a serial interface and 512 MB NVRAM.

The CompactCom modules are available for all popular fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet networks and can be easily interfaced from the Econ 100 application software by means of the common Anybus programming interface. Together with the EtherCAT and CANopen master solutions that are already available with Econ 100, this multi-protocol approach is said to make the Econ 100 a future-proof platform for customer-specific control solutions with communication included.

The expansion card also provides 24 inputs and outputs, e.g. for direct connection to sensors and actuators. Thanks to an digital output current of up to 2A and a 12-bit resolution for the analogue channels, the Econ 100 is suitable for a wide variety of applications, and the RS232/RS485 interface makes the Econ 100 an effective link between real-time Industrial Ethernet or CAN-based networks and proven serial applications.

With the NVRAM available on the expansion card, the Econ 100 covers data security for the user. Using this feature, it is suitable for critical applications such as automated handling technology, where the last operating state with all process variables must be retained in case of power failures.

In addition to supporting programming in C/C++, HMS offers an intuitively operated Soft-PLC programming environment in collaboration with Copalp, which is consistent with IEC 61131-3 for simple programming and configuration of control applications. The software package supports all important protocols, including CANopen, EtherCAT, Powerlink, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP.

In order to support a rapid and efficient implementation of complex applications, HMS offers various well-documented application development kits, ADKs, for the Econ 100. The ADKs include an extensive board support package incorporating all necessary interface drivers, sample applications, the respective protocol software package pre-installed on an SD card, and the Linux operating system.

The combination of a powerful CPU, up to 1 GB RAM, the rugged metal casing as well as a fanless design with an extended temperature range of -40 °C to +60 °C, ensures that the Econ 100 matches requirements of various important application areas.

In addition to the standard version, the Econ 100 is also available as a board-level product which can be integrated in existing customer applications while taking up very little space. OEM versions with specific hardware adaptations and adapted application variants can be developed by HMS on request.