Industrial electronics are undoubtedly dominated by their embedded systems. But while electromechanics are already optimised for a long product life cycle and often remain in use for years, this is by no means the case for embedded hardware and software.
The systems evolve faster than it would be necessary to replace the mechanics. In order to be able to utilise the potential of existing systems through modernisation, it makes sense to replace, update or reconfigure the embedded hardware and software.
With a pre-configured development platform on a single board basis, Lacon has specialised in fast, cost-effective and flexible adaptation for precisely these applications.
We guarantee fast prototyping and perfect, favourable adaptation to the respective industrial environment.
Over 50 developers, programmers and specialists in power electronics support your SBC-orientated refitting with minimum effort.
- Highly qualified development team with decades of experience in D&E
- Broad portfolio of development tools
- Use of state-of-the-art processor technology with a focus on cost-effective open embedded solutions
- Product realisation of numerous modules, system solutions and refits
- Projects supported and further developed throughout the entire product life cycle
The IIoT is transforming the IT and OT landscape in industry at a rapid pace: digitalisation and networking are changing industrial processes more than any other technical development since the invention of the assembly line: The use of technologies such as Industrial Ethernet, SPE (Single Pair Ethernet) and connectivity, artificial intelligence and big data analytics, cloud and edge computing, digitalisation and networking is opening up opportunities for the manufacturing industry to make processes and structures significantly more efficient, flexible and competitive - and to build future-oriented business models.
SBC Platform approach
Preconfigured and ready for use
As a result, the trend is moving away from centralised data processing towards real-time data processing at the periphery - the edge.
This offers the opportunity to pre-process information directly at the point of action and only transmit the really important information to a central cloud, thereby significantly reducing the latency between the cloud and the edge of the network for business-critical functions such as process and motion control. Accordingly, the greatest potential for improving performance lies in carrying out as much processing and analysis as possible at the network edge.
Hardware example configuration
- Power supply via 12 V (with UPS)
- Fast Ethernet
- 3 USB 2.0 HS ports for USB devices (mouse, keyboard, memory sticks, WLAN stick etc.)
- µSD card slot for boot medium
- 4 GBit flash memory for OS and application software
- 5.0 inch capacitive touch display (800x480 pixels)
- WLAN/ BT module (2.4 GHz band)
- Tarvos radio module (868 MHz)
- CAN bus connection with 1 MBit/s
- 4 inputs and 4 outputs each of GPIO connections for input/output functions (LEDs, buttons, etc.)
- 2 ADC connections for potentiometers, sensors etc. (12-bit ADC with 200k samples/sec.)
- Sensor module for CO2, temperature and humidity measurements of the ambient air
- Connection for a 40 mm fan for CO2 sensor ventilation
Centralised data processing models are increasingly reaching their limits with these continuously growing data volumes. This can lead to the following problems:
Large data transfers can quickly put a strain on communication resources, the risk of total company failure in the event of hacker attacks on the central data centre increases, and maintaining a constant internet connection is energy-intensive and can also pose a technical challenge for smaller devices, actuators and sensors.
Edge Computing
Intelligent platforms for upgrading
The embedded edge is created by shifting data processing to the end points of the IIoT, such as sensors and actuators, gateways or software containers as well as smaller, mostly decentralised devices and systems.
This creates new, open and IIoT-capable solutions that can overcome previous limitations, such as update capability, supplier dependency, performance, energy efficiency, storage space and/or physical size.
For this edge computing, intelligent platforms based on embedded systems with microcontrollers and single-board computers (SBC) offer you as a manufacturing company a solution for realising your smart factory.
Software Features
- Embedded Linux (based on Yocto)
- Qt applications implemented for the sensor data
- Integration of standard Linux distributions (Debian, Arch etc.) possible.
- Player for presentation/advertising videos
- Linux licence analysis and provision of necessary downloads if required
- Software security in accordance with European and American guidelines
Getting ready for the smart factory at low cost
In industry, once installed, systems, machines and control systems are often in use for a long time. However, while the mechanical systems hardly ever become obsolete, control, drive and automation technology is developing all the faster. This is because the digitalisation and networking of data bring companies considerable advantages in terms of speeding up processes and are a decisive factor in the battle for competitive advantages. However, many SMEs in particular are reluctant to make costly and training-intensive investments in new IoT platforms.
Your advantages at a glance
- Make existing systems, machines, control systems and components fit for IIoT & Edge at low cost
- Open source solution based on Linux
- No lengthy approval systems necessary
- Preconfigured development environment: perfect integration with just a few clicks
- Return on investment within a short time
Often no new purchases necessary
In many cases, cost-intensive new acquisitions are not necessary for the smart factory - existing control systems can also be optimised for IIoT at low cost: The Lacon Refitting Module makes it possible to adapt existing control systems to current developments with little effort and to realise a continuous, digital flow of information up to the cloud.
Refitting or retrofitting involves replacing components of an existing machine or system that no longer meet current requirements. By extending the service life, reducing machine downtimes and improving energy efficiency, productivity and product quality and the associated reduction in production costs, a rapid ROI from modernisation is ensured.
As a result of the IIoT refitting by Lacon, most control systems are then able to output process and machine data that was previously not usable or even accessible. This data can then be used for further analyses and comparisons - including use via cloud services.
Another advantage for you: no lengthy authorisation procedures are required to carry out a retrofit of a system compared to a completely new acquisition!
end-to-end from the sensor to the cloud
The refitting module from Lacon was specially developed for the modernisation of older control systems and is equipped with an operating system based on open source embedded Linux. This enables IoT integration right into the cloud, regardless of the underlying control hardware. And on the sensor and drive side, the open source solution is also able to integrate a wide variety of data easily and unchanged.
Conclusion
Decentralise, network and bring performance to the cloud
Quickly retrofit existing technology, bring it up to the latest technical standard or make it IIoT-capable - that's what our high-performance SBCs offer. This saves you the cost of a new purchase, often without the need for lengthy approval procedures.
Our embedded platform provides you with a preconfigured development environment to enable perfect customisation for every application without much effort.
Embedded platforms are microcontrollers or SBCs that are specially adapted to their task and perform monitoring, control and/or regulation functions. A significant advantage of embedded systems as an edge solution in the IIoT is the flexibility in configuring the overall platform and the ability to select only what is actually needed. At the same time, this enables scaling - without replacing the entire platform. Embedded systems and SBCs are as diverse as the applications for which they are designed. The biggest advantage, however, is that embedded systems replace individual components of an automation world, meaning that the entire OT (Operational Technology) landscape does not have to be replaced, but can be built on a proven basis.
The Lacon Embedded division develops suitable, customised hardware and software for industrial automation. The focus here is on the design of industrial computers and microcontroller-based control systems as well as IoT integration in cloud service systems.
SBC stands for "Single Board Computer". An SBC is a complete computer that is integrated on a single circuit board. Unlike conventional computers, which consist of various components such as a motherboard, processor, memory and other modules, all the components required to operate an SBC are combined on a single board.
Typically, SBCs include a processor (CPU), memory (RAM), I/O ports, expansion interfaces (such as USB, HDMI, Ethernet) and sometimes built-in functions such as WLAN or Bluetooth. SBCs are often used for embedded systems, prototyping, educational purposes and specialised applications.
For Lacon, the integration of SBCs into products or the development of software for such single-board computers is of interest in order to create flexible and cost-effective solutions.
Edge computing refers to a distributed computing architecture in which data processing takes place as close as possible to the data source or end device, rather than centrally in a remote data centre or in the cloud. The term "edge" refers to the edge of the network, i.e. the end devices or the boundary between local networks and the wider internet.
In edge computing, data is processed locally on devices or in nearby data centres instead of sending it all to central servers or the cloud. This offers several advantages, including
- Lower latency times: By processing data in close proximity to the source, latency can be minimised, which is particularly important for applications that require fast real-time responses, such as industrial automation or healthcare.
- Bandwidth savings: Less data needs to be transmitted over the network as much of the processing is done locally. This can reduce bandwidth requirements and improve the efficiency of network utilisation.
- Privacy and security: Local processing of data can fulfil certain privacy requirements and there is less likelihood of security issues as sensitive information does not necessarily need to be transmitted over the internet.
Edge computing is used in various industries, including Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, healthcare and more. It enables more efficient and powerful real-time data processing by distributing the load across edge devices.
A refitting approach, also known as retrofitting, refers to the modernisation or updating of existing systems, equipment or installations rather than replacing them with completely new components or systems. This approach offers several advantages:
- Cost savings: The most obvious advantage of a refitting approach is the cost savings compared to a complete replacement. By utilising existing structures and equipment, significant costs for the purchase of new hardware and the associated installation costs can be avoided.
- Minimisation of downtime: Replacing an entire system often requires extended downtime, which can lead to production interruptions or other disruptions. With a refitting approach, modernisation can be carried out gradually to minimise downtime and ensure the continuous functioning of the systems.
- Sustainability: By reusing existing resources and infrastructure, a refitting approach contributes to sustainability by reducing the need for new raw materials and the environmental impact of dismantling old equipment.
- Adaptation to new technologies: A refitting approach enables companies to adapt their existing systems to new technologies and standards without having to replace the entire system. This is particularly relevant in fast-developing industries where new innovations are regularly introduced.
- Investment protection: By modernising existing systems, companies can protect their existing investments by extending the life of their existing infrastructure and maximising the return on investment.
Overall, a refitting approach offers a viable solution for improving existing systems without the financial and operational burden of a complete replacement.
