Pc & Embedded Control Trends

The trend to reduce machine size and cost while increasing productivity requires new approaches to control systems. Thanks to the increased reliability of Industrial PC technology, traditional rack-based PLCs can be replaced with more powerful PC-based control systems. While Industrial PC’s provide the highest performance and control capacity, new generations of PC technology based on open embedded operating systems, combine the functions of a PLC and an operator panel in one unit which is applicable to smaller scale applications. This paper describes the differences in control capabilities, operating systems, HMI capacity, communications and system flexibility between different classes of PC and embedded control systems. The paper also describes the differences between these types and traditional PLC based systems.