Information technology has emerged as the prime conduit linking the operational site to the management function. Not only can production data, schedules and quality information be shared; maintenance and operations can be activated over the same structures.
Industrial strength IT
System Q is unique in being able to embed a fully equipped WindowsTM PC into a robust industrial design directly at the heart of the control system. The potential uses and benefits are enormous: users are completely free to write their own control and directly actuate I/O control.
Alternatively, it can be used as an embedded monitoring point, running a SCADA installation or user-created VB applications.
With a fanless design concept, the unit is designed to have as few moving parts as possible, as these are often the points of operational failure. In fact, this principle extends to the optional silicon hard drive, which has no moving parts at all, making Mitsubishi Electric’s SystemQ PC ideal for an industrial environment.
This rack-based PC solution can be used as a stand-alone controller or in conjunction with any other System Q CPU to create a multidisciplinary automation platform.
As easy as A, B, C
If System Q’s automation platform is divided into A for PLC CPUs, and B for process CPUs, then C must surely stand for the industrial “C” controller. This advanced controller can be programmed in standard C or C++, opening up the world of automation and control directly to non-PLC based engineers. Furthermore, “C” programming is an ideal language for many process or complex math-based applications since it has a well- defined structured programming concept and flexible syntax.
The Q06CCPU module has been meticulously designed to eliminate as many failure-prone elements as possible, including fans and hard drives. Combined with the widely used VXWorks operating system from Wind River, this makes Mitsubishi’s C Controller a powerful CPU fit for industrial environments. In addition, programming support for the CoDeSys controller development system is available from 3S-Smart Software Solutions, which provides users with convenient object-oriented environments.
Remote management
System Q offers various solutions to the problem of remote management. These can be used independently or combined into multifunction systems.
- Networking
System Q supports over 50 different types of networking and communications modules, including Ethernet, MELSECNET/H, FL-NET, Profibus/DP, CCLink, CANopen, DeviceNET, AS-interface, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU and GP-IB. Thanks to System Q’s single automation platform, communication is as easy as selecting the module you need. From System Q’s single automation platform communication can be as easy as selecting the module you need. - Webserver
The QJ71WS96 is a dedicated webserver module that fits directly onto the System Q backplane. It offers on-board webpages as well as Java scripting and 100MB Ethernet that make it easier than ever to share information. - Telemetry
Mitsubishi Electric offers two different modem solutions: basic and intelligent. Both types are available in triband GSM or PSTN formats and feature completely intuitive set-up software. This makes programming with Haynes control codes a thing of the past.
MES Interface
With the QJ71MES96 module System Q users now have the possibility to connect directly with commercial database applications like Oracle, MS SQL Server and MS Access. The MES module supports bi-directional data transfer with several databases and the event-driven communications reduce the network load. The use of the MES module reduces system complexity and cost, making gateways a thing of the past.
IPC panels
Information technology also comes to the System Q automation platform in the form of industrial personal computers (IPCs). These units provide an ideal solution for placing a PC access point directly in the production environment. Models can be connected directly to System Q or via a network, ensuring that all areas of the operation are kept supplied with up-to-date information directly from System Q.
Product range – System Q PC and C Controller CPU overview
| CPU Type | PC | C Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Model | PPC-CPU852(MS)-512 | Q06CCPU |
| Total Inputs/Outputs | 4096/8192 | |
| Memory Capacity | Use of storage cards means data and programs can be stored for later retrieval | |
| Program memory | 512MB (main) / 2MB (cache) | 32MB (main) / 128kB battery backed |
| Processor speed/cycle time | Intel Celeron M 600MHz | RISC processor is 236MHz |
| Multi CPU capability (Max. 4 CPUs) | Yes – one per system | Yes |