Bachmann electronic GmbH

M200 CPU Series with MultiCore

The simple migration path to MultiCore applications and increased performance

The MH230 forms the upper end of the scalable performance spectrum of the CPU series (source: Bachmann Electronic)

• Greater performance for existing plants with a simple CPU replacement.
• Secure platform for MultiCore applications.
• Bachmann software manages multiple cores automatically and simplifies the entry into the MultiCore technology.

Bachmann will be presenting the first member of the M200 CPU series with multi-core technology. The MH230 dual-core processor module enables users to make their controller fit for future requirements and already benefit today from increased performance. Thanks to Intel i3 dual-core (2.3 GHz), hyper-threading (two genuine cores and two hyper-threading cores) it achieves more than twice the performance compared to the previous MH212 generation does by changing the CPU module. The operating system automatically distributes the tasks to the individual cores via symmetrical multiprocessing (SMP) and manages the hardware resources. The existing application software, which is not designed for multicore applications, runs without any modifications on one core of the MH230, so that the new CPU modules can also replace older controllers in the field (repair, update). 

The increase in performance can be used for new functions, such as condition monitoring, audit trail or other processing intensive extensions of the controller. End customers can thus be supplied with valuable additional features without the machine builder having to modify existing software.

Applications that are optimized in-house for the multi-core architecture fully benefit from the increases in performance. Bachmann thus provides users with a flexible migration route to greater performance.

Bachmann has developed a Migration Guide for existing applications to make the entry into the multi-core world as easy as possible. 

Help programs, seamlessly integrated in the engineering software, simplify the work for the programmer, such as the optional static assignment of tasks (affinity) to the different cores. This makes it possible to separate time-critical tasks from non-critical ones and increase the real-time behavior of the overall system.

The new module also meets the highest requirements in terms of connectivity: Two gigabit real-time Ethernet ports and USB 3.0 allow the establishment of high-speed data connections to other devices and the high-speed reading/loading of data. The up to 4 gigabyte data storage capacity of the MH230 provides sufficient space, such as for storing the complete application software or audit trail data.

The MH230 processor module works fan-free and stands out on account of the usual additional robustness provided for Bachmann customers. It will be available from the first quarter of 2019 – also as a Cold Climate variant.

About Bachmann electronic GmbH 

Bachmann electronic, founded in 1970, is an internationally operating high-tech company based in Feldkirch (Vorarlberg, Austria), which provides complete system solutions in the field of automation technology. With 459 employees worldwide, the company is a leader in the renewable energy sectors, number 1 in wind energy, and also serves the mechanical engineering and maritime industries. The group includes the CMS specialists of Bachmann Monitoring and atvise® software manufacturers Certec EDV.

Well before Stuxnet or Duqu, communication and information security tools were an integral part of the M1 system: Different protective measures, such as secure network connections, user and access control and security logging have been fixed components of every controller from Bachmann for years.

• The OT1300 Panel PC product line now works with new Intel CPU generations and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.
• With robust hardware and software designed specifically for web visualisation, Bachmann provides a web-enabled comprehensive solution in the high-quality segment.

Machines with a long service life also need operator units where long-term availability is guaranteed. The upgrade of the OT1300 product line raises both hardware and software to a long-term sustainable level while at the same time taking compatibility with existing models into account. With sixth-generation Intel processors and Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise operating systems, the Panel PCs provide the necessary security of investment.

As is usual with Bachmann Electronic, the OT1300 has the visualisation software integrated into the hardware, and is endurance tested as a complete system for 24/7 operation – including web visualisation via OPC UA. In conjunction with the atvise® software, commissioning the OT1300 is a simple plug-and-play operation, even from a remote monitoring centre. 

The Panel PC upgrade is rounded off with a mechanically robust execution for ambient temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius, a pre-installed browser with on-screen keyboard, and contemporary design. All in all, this provides a web-enabled comprehensive solution designed for long-term availability.

The CFC graphical programming language enables tasks to be implemented conveniently in the PLC Developer.

The CFC graphical programming language enables tasks to be implemented conveniently in the PLC Developer (Picture credits: Bachmann Electronic)

Up to now Bachmann controllers have still been partly programmed via the Codesys-based M-PLC user interface. However, working in M-PLC is not so efficient and user-friendly for meeting today's requirements. Bachmann is therefore in the process of gradually replacing this programming interface with the PLC Developer.

For some two years now, the IEC 61131-3 based Structured Text (ST) programming language has therefore been used for implementing complex programming tasks in the PLC Developer. The CFC/FBD (Continuous Function Charts/Function Block Diagram) graphical programming languages have now also been integrated. CFC has several strengths compared to the other programming languages: It is very intuitive, easy to program and understand; code can be reused very easily; complex application logic can be encapsulated well and the data flow analysis during debugging often brings important findings.

Tooltips show extensive, context-sensitive information directly in the function block diagram – a tremendous assistance to developers (Picture credits: Bachmann Electronic)

Bachmann placed particular importance to some features when developing the CFC Editor:

The tool can not only be operated easily with the mouse, an essential function for graphical programming languages, but can also be operated using the keyboard. This programming method has been shown to be more efficient in practice for implementing projects.

The PLC Developer is also provided with clearly designed tooltips: Context-sensitive information is provided about the data type, the initialization value, function block interfaces or the code documentation. It also features an intelligent context-sensitive autocompletion function for simplifying function calls, including predefined code blocks. The comprehensive code navigation system also allows easy handling of extensive applications.

The tool features a clearly designed debugging system in order to reach results quickly: The actual values are shown directly in the diagram; Boolean values are highlighted according to their value with a user-defined coloring. It also features a breakpoints management function for repeatable debug sessions and a debug framework for processing program sections in stages.

The ability to generate a visualization based on the program logic, including the display of online values, directly from the programmed diagram is a useful feature. This enables rapid diagnostics to be carried out in the field with the appropriate project version without any additional engineering tool – a tremendous assistance to service technicians.

The PLC Developer is a central element of the SolutionCenter – the optimum tool for solving automation tasks with Bachmann technology.

The SAI205 is the all-rounder for safe analog value acquisition

The SAI205 is the all-rounder for safe analog value acquisition (Source: Bachmann Electronic)

At the SPS IPC Drives 2018 fair Bachmann will be presenting its new modular PLC-integrated M1 safety solution for its M1 automation system. The SAI205 safety analog input module now provides a complete portfolio of analog interfaces for the acquisition of safety-related analog measured values. The SAI205 provides inputs for capturing strain gauge signals for temperature measurement as well as the acquisition of 4 to 20 mA signals. If the inputs are connected in redundant pairs, safety applications up to SIL2/PLd can be implemented. 

Benefit of the new input modules: No external and extremely expensive safety systems are required, thus directly reducing costs. The integration of the modules in the controller system also enables better diagnostics and transparency in the controller application.

The following specific channels are provided:

• 2 inputs for strain gauge signals, which form one logic safety channel
• The strain gauge measuring bridges are powered by the module
• 4 inputs for temperature measurement (PT100), forming 2 logic safety channels
• 4 inputs for 4 to 20 mA signals, likewise forming 2 logic safety channels. Alternatively, up to 4 safety-certified 4 to 20mA encoders can be connected.

The safety modules also have other special features: All analog signals can be sampled at a frequency of up to 1 kHz. The acquired signals can thus also be used in highly dynamic closed-loop control signals. The data can also be pre-processed in the module if required, thus saving the resources of the controller CPU. Last but not least, both the input filters as well as the voting modes for each individual channel can be configured.