Preface In the field of automatic control technology, since the late 1960s, when Bedford Associates in the United States proposed replacing relay control panels with the Modular Digital Controller (MODICON) and developed the world's first commercially available PLC—the Programmable Logic Controller (MODICON084)—PLC manufacturers have consistently held a dominant position, not only setting specifications but also dictating the direction of the entire market. However, due to the strong demand and desire from users for open architectures in recent years, and the rapid development of information technology (IT), PLC manufacturers have had to seriously address this transformation. This has also allowed industrial computer manufacturers, who have been immersed in PC-based technology for many years, to regain their competitive edge. We can foresee that in the future, whether it's a PLC or a PC-based controller, in addition to retaining the advantages of PLCs in process control, with the development of computing, communication, and software programming technologies, there will be a trend towards using open hardware platforms, operating systems, and unified programming tools. Furthermore, to meet the requirements of "Internet of Everything," adopting open Ethernet interfaces to connect other industrial fieldbuses is also essential. The most critical technologies are: (1) an embedded PC system; (2) I/O modules supporting various fieldbuses; and (3) programming software compliant with the IEC 61131-3 standard. In view of this, as a member of the Chinese automation product manufacturing industry, after nearly two years of effort, we have not only applied embedded technology to WinCon products, but also incorporated years of accumulated R&D technology for various bus I/O systems. To provide programming software compliant with IEC 61131-3, we have added the ISaGRAF and Micro TRACE MODE 5 embedded runtime engines to the operating system image (OS Image). Furthermore, for user convenience, we have provided Indusoft Web Studio and AdAsTRa Embedded HMI for the embedded human-machine interface (HMI), and will add more similar software later. I. WinCon-8000 Control System Architecture (Figure 1) The WinCon-8000 control system architecture is shown in Figure 1. The WinCon-8000 control system mainly consists of the following parts: Main Control Layer: The WinCon-8000 uses a 32-bit RISC CPU, 32MB of flash memory for storing the operating system image, 64MB of RAM, and 128MB of Compact Flash memory for storing application software. In terms of peripheral support, it provides the same keyboard/mouse interface, Ethernet interface, USB interface, and standard VGA interface as a PC. The operating system uses Microsoft's Windows CE.net 4.2, which features hard real-time capabilities. In addition to the Windows operating screen, it also includes an embedded browser, Web and FTP servers, solving the challenges of Web-Based Control. Network Communication Layer: The upper layer of the WinCon-8000 controller uses an Ethernet bus. Through the standard TCP/IP protocol, it can connect to the Intranet/Internet, and through the standard Modbus/TCP protocol, it can communicate with SCADA software. As for the lower-level network, in addition to RS-232/485, users can choose CAN (Control Area Network) bus and our own FRNet bus according to their needs. Through protocols such as Modbus/RTU, CANOpen, and DeviceNet, it can connect with ICP's remote module I-7000, compact controller I-8000, and other CAN I/O. As for the FRNet bus, it adopts the advantages of PLC architecture, using the token ring method, which does not require software protocols. It can scan all I/O points within a fixed time and then communicate with the main control layer through Dual-Port RAM. The I/O layer of the WinCon-8000 uses the same I/O modules as the original I-8000, providing analog outputs/inputs, digital outputs/inputs, relay outputs, RTD/thermal coupler inputs, strain gauge inputs, counters/timers, and RS-232 multi-serial ports. For expandability, it can connect to 87K modules via 87Kx RS-485 and 87Ex Ethernet I/O expansion units. For the operation interface layer, to provide users with different options, we have integrated embedded HMI software into the controller. Through the standard VGA interface, you can connect a regular monitor, eliminating the need for a traditional external HMI via RS-232, significantly reducing system costs. Data exchange with the host computer's configuration software can be achieved through the OPC standard. The information system layer addresses the crucial issue of integrating factory production processes with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The WinCon-8000 incorporates Microsoft SQL Server CE 2.0, greatly enhancing its on-premises database processing capabilities. Regarding the challenge of simultaneously addressing the issues of distance and real-time performance, we formed a strategic alliance with ICEtech (http://www.ICEtech.com.tw), a global leader in real-time, high-volume data analytics. Through licensing, we acquired ICEtech's remote real-time data platform, iPush Server Embedded Edition (iPush Embedded), integrating the ability to proactively exchange real-time data into the WinCon-8000. This provides the WinCon-8000 with the essential network real-time data infrastructure required for modern industrial controllers. Through iPush Embedded, the WinCon-8000 possesses the ability to proactively transmit Active Push data. Whether in a local area network (LAN) or a remote network environment (Internet/VPN/Wireless LAN/GPRS/ADSL), as long as the TCP/IP communication protocol is used, the WinCon-8000 can continuously and proactively send the acquired data—including monitoring data, alarms, and device status—to remote monitoring software or a monitoring center in real time, achieving the goal of distributed data collection and centralized real-time monitoring. This represents a significant breakthrough for remote monitoring applications, such as remote unmanned data centers, and is an inevitable path for the industrial control industry. Furthermore, through the iPush Embedded interface on WinCon8000, it can be connected to the central ICE iPush Communication Server provided by Aiyang Technology, allowing users to easily build a monitoring solution that meets remote/real-time/multi-point requirements, creating the most perfect industrial control information supply chain. II. WinCon Control System Software WinCon-8000 programming methods include the following: You can use Microsoft's Visual Studio .NET on your PC, which includes both Visual Basic .NET and Visual C# .NET development tools. The compiled managed code is then downloaded to the controller after being integrated with the .NET Compact Framework. Alternatively, you can use Embedded Visual C++ for compilation. In addition to the Windows CE Standard SDK, ATL, ActiveX Component, MFC, DCOM, and .NET Compact Framework provided by Microsoft, we also provide the WinCon-8000 SDK for controlling the I-8000, I-87K, and I-7000 I/O modules. If you choose to use HMI or SCADA software, WinCon-8000 provides standard OPC Server and Master Modbus RTU/TCP function libraries. We can also add AdAstrA's TRACE HMI to work with PC-based SCADA software. Compliant with IEC 61131-3 software logic programming tools, we've incorporated AdAstrA's Micro TRACE MODE 5 and ICS Triplex ISaGRAF for Windows CE into the WinCon core. Using their provided PC-based development tools, you can download your developed programs to WinCon. WinCon-8000 also offers a wealth of software tools to assist you in managing system settings, version changes, self-diagnostics, batch file program scheduling, and remotely managing all I/O on the WinCon-8000. III. Conclusion In terms of hardware, the WinCon-8000 provides a standard interface similar to that of an industrial computer, but without its bulkiness. It functionally meets the needs of industrial control and offers a more competitive price. Furthermore, due to its use of a low-power RISC CPU and its diskless, fanless architecture, it is far more capable of withstanding the harsh environments of industrial sites than industrial computers. In terms of software, the features of Windows CE .NET, including Hard Real-Time and Multitasking, allow WinCon to transcend the traditional controller's limitation to process control, providing users with the possibility of achieving timely, accurate, and reliable control. In practical applications, Windows CE .NET operates as conveniently as traditional Microsoft desktop operating systems such as Windows 2000/XP. It also provides application developers with a sufficient development platform, including software packages such as Networking, Internet Service, Web Server, FTP Server, DCOM, .NET Compact Framework, and Connectivity to ERP, allowing system developers to spend more time on application development and control logic refinement. With SQL Server CE 2.0 and iPush Embedded, users can easily integrate field information into MIS or even ERP systems.