Nowadays, Linux has been adopted widely by many users because of the properties of stability, open source, and free of charge. In the mean while, owing to the great supports from more and more companies and the mature development, Linux is now becoming one of the most popular OS on the market.
The LinPAC-9000 is new generation Linux-based PAC from ICP DAS and is equipped with a powerful CPU module running a Linux kernel 3.x operating system, various communication interfaces (VGA, USB, Ethernet and RS-232/485) and slots for both high performance parallel bus type (high profile I-9K series) and serial bus type (high profile I-97K series) I/O modules.
Compared with the first generation LinPAC-9000, not only is the CPU performance improved have been added (1.0 GHz) and support Linux kernel 3.x, but many reliability features, such as dual LAN, redundant power input, and dual battery backup SRAM, etc., making the LinPAC-9000 one of the most powerful systems available.
Software Features
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Remote Maintenance via SFTP/FTP Server and SSH/Telnet Software
The SFTP/FTP server is used for uploading applications or downloading data. And SSH/Telnet is designed for managing the LinPAC-9000. By using the FTP server and SSH/Telnet, you can update and manage the LP-9000 remotely via the Ethernet.
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Rich Software Solutions
ICP DAS provides the library file － libi8k.a which includes all the functions of the I-7000/9000/97k series modules. Users just install LinPAC SDK in Windows PC, the cygwin environment will be established automatically and users can develop LinPAC-9000 applications easily by GNU C Language. Apart from that, users can also use Java to develop LinPAC applications as well.
Note: Cygwin is a Linux-like environment for Windows.
Hardware Features
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Powerful CPU Module
LP-9x2x is equipped with a Cortex-A8 (1.0 GHz) CPU running a Linux operating system.
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Built-in VGA Port
A built-in VGA port can be directly connected to a regular LCD display. Users can operate the HMI or SCADA software (running on the LinPAC-9000) with display, keyboard and mouse just as how they usually did on regular PCs.
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64-bit Hardware Serial Number
The 64-bit hardware serial number is unique and individual. Every serial number of LinPAC-9000 is different. Users can add a checking mechanism to their AP to prevent software from pirating.
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Rich I/O Expansion Ability (RS-232/485, Ethernet, FRnet, CAN)
Beside the local I/O slots, LinPAC-9000 also equips several RS-232/485 ports, two Ethernet ports to connect serial I/O and Ethernet I/O. And with FRnet and CAN communication module in local slot, FRnet I/O and CAN devices are easy to be integrated.
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Dual Watchdog Timer
A system could be hanged up when the OS or the AP fails. There are two watchdogs (OS watchdog and AP watchdog) designed to automatically reset the CPU when the situations happen. The design will increase the reliability of the system.
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Dual Ethernet Ports
LinPAC-9000 provides two Ethernet ports. The two Ethernet ports can be used to implement redundant Ethernet communication and separate Ethernet communication (one for global Internet, one for private Ethernet).
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Rugged RJ-45 connector for LAN1
The LP-9000 is equipped with a rugged and dustproof RJ-45 connector on the LAN1 port that is able to provide protection against both liquid and dust contaminants in harsh industrial environments, as well as protection against vibration and shock.
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Metal Enclosures
Superior resistance to the weather and external interference. Easier grounding and better static protection.
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Redundant Power Inputs
To prevent the LinPAC-9000 from failing by the power loss, the power module is designed with two inputs. The LinPAC-9000 can keep working even one power input fails, and mean while there is a relay output for informing the power failure.
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Ventilated Housing Design Allows Operation Between -25°C ~ +75°C
Each LinPAC-9000 is housed in a Matel-based box with a column-like ventilator that can help to cool the working environment inside the box and allow the LinPAC-9000 operating between -25°C and +75°C.
Standard LP-9000 (Linux Kernel Inside)
The controller supports following software development tools:
1. LinPAC SDK for Linux environment
2. LinPAC SDK for Windows environment
| Model | OS | CPU | System Memory | Non-Volatile Memory | Storage | VGA Resolution |
Ethernet Port |
USB Port | RS-232/ RS-485 |
I/O Slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LP-9221 | Linux kernel 3.2.14 | Cortex-A8, 1.0 GHz |
512 MB DDR3 SDRAM | 128 KB MRAM, 16 KB EEPROM |
512 MB Flash, 4 GB microSD card |
1280 x 1024 |
2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| LP-9421 | 4 | |||||||||
| LP-9821 | 8 |
Remote I/O Expansion
Ethernet
The available Ethernet I/O devices are ET-7000, ET-7200, ET-87P4/8-MTCP and I-8KE4/8-MTCP. The PAC can access them in Modbus/TCP protocol. A nModbus.dll is provided for C#, VB.net programming.
RS-485
The PACs are equipped with the RS485 COM ports which enable the transmission rate up to a maximum of 115.2 Kbps. The medium for connection is a twisted-pair, multi-drop, 2-wire RS-485 network that can link I-7000, M-7000, RU-87Pn with high profile I-87K modules. To access M-7000, a nModbus.dll is provided for C#, VB.net programming. To access I-7000 and RU-87Pn with high profile I-87K modules, PACSDK is provided for C#, VB.net, VC and VB programming.
FRnet
FRnet is an innovative industrial field bus that has many special features, such as high-speed deterministic I/O control, real I/O synchronization capabilities, non-protocol communication, and easy programming. With a FRnet communication module (I-8172W), the PAC can link FRnet I/O modules to implement high-speed distributed I/O (FR-2000 series). To access I-8172W, a pac_i8172w.dll is provided for C#, VB.net, VC and VB programming.
CAN Bus
The Controller Area Network (CAN) is a serial communication way, which efficiently supports distributed real-time control with a very high level of security. It provides the error-processing mechanisms and concepts of message priority. These features can improve the network reliability and transmission efficiency. Furthermore, CAN supplies the multi-master capabilities, and is especially suited for networking“intelligent” devices as well as sensors and actuators within a system or a sub-system. With I-8123, I-8124, I-87120, the PAC is able to demonstrate every feature of CAN, CANopen, and DeviceNet.