ADwin systems are designed for high speed, real-time automation and data acquisition applications. They are used in thousands of different applications, including:

Industrial and scientific R&D laboratories Production line test stands Production line automation systems Data acquisition systems for laboratory or mobile use High speed machine control applications

While many of these industrial and scientific applications require deterministic performance, most system designers want to take advantage of the extensive capabilities available through the Microsoft® Windows® operating system for visualization, graphical user interfaces (GUI), database access, and networking capabilities. However, the Windows operating system isn't designed to provide deterministic program execution for real-time applications. The most logical solution for creating high speed, real-time applications is to locate a dedicated CPU near the signal source, so it has its own resources for processing the data produced. This is the only structure that ensures precise response times with predictable delays, as well as deterministic program and process execution. This is exactly what ADwin systems—with their local CPU and memory, additional analog and digital interfaces, and various expansion options—provide.

All ADwin applications operate in real time. Every sampled value or event can be evaluated in the same sampling step. For example, a control or online analysis function can follow a data acquisition immediately, running at some kHz, some hundreds of kHz, or even at MHz speeds, depending on the ADwin hardware used.

Every ADwin system is built around a high speed, 32-bit floating point signal processor and a local memory. This processor is responsible for all real-time processing in the system, so the application operates independently from the PC and its operating system. Depending on the ADwin system, various configurations and options are available:

• Analog inputs and outputs
• Analog inputs with parallel high speed, synchronized ADCs
• Digital inputs and outputs
• Comparator inputs with per channel software selectable thresholds
• Counter, encoder interfaces, SSI and PWM modules
• Filters, fixed or programmable types
• Amplifiers for thermocouples and RTDs
• Isolation amplifiers
• CAN bus, LIN bus, etc.
• PROFIBUS and INTERBUS interfaces, others on request
• RS-232, RS-485 interface
• Bootloader for standalone applications
• Ethernet or USB interface to PC
• Customized VHDL code on DIO or analog modules for:

-Special serial interfaces
-Megahertz pre-processing of analog/digital data
-Customized frequency counters
-State machines
-Pattern generators

The ADwin system can be connected to a PC, an SPS, or a Fieldbus network and data can be exchanged easily. The communication between the external system and the PC can be made via Ethernet or USB. Fieldbus interfaces allow for connection to PLC automation systems. A bootloader supports complete standalone operation of the ADwin system, without the need for a PC or Fieldbus.

Please click here to contact us for more detailed information on ADwin Real-Time solutions, for free application advice, or for a free product demonstration.