Embedded industrial PCs are compact computers specifically designed for industrial environments. They are ruggedized industrial computers capable of reliable operation as industrial controllers. Common types of embedded industrial PCs include box-type and fanless models. Embedded industrial PCs are increasingly popular due to their reliable performance, fanless design, compact size, and low cost. Especially in recent years, with the development of embedded technology, embedded industrial PCs have grown rapidly, quickly finding applications in various fields and occupying an increasingly important position.
So, compared to a regular industrial PC, what are the differences and disadvantages of an embedded industrial PC?
I. Advantages of Embedded Industrial Computers in Product Performance
1. The product has good functional adaptability, almost perfectly matching the functions of the tested and controlled object. It has a certain degree of expandability, but expandability is not a secondary goal. Therefore, the product has a high cost performance.
2. Miniaturization is one of the secondary characteristics, manifested in a compact design. Since there are no standardized layouts to reference, careful consideration must be given to external interfaces and the efficient use of installation space.
3. High reliability requirements: In addition to meeting the reliability requirements of electrical energy, careful consideration must be given to reliability design aspects such as heat dissipation design, electromagnetic compatibility design, dustproof and waterproof design, and vibration resistance design.
4. Ultra-low power fanless design is the mainstream. Because after miniaturization, heat dissipation capacity is limited, and embedded systems also have high MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) requirements, especially in unattended applications, making ultra-low power fanless design a necessity.
II. Differences between Embedded Industrial PCs and Regular Industrial PCs
Firstly, embedded industrial control computers are often located at the front end of the entire measurement and control system. The upper-level connections of embedded industrial control computers are often ordinary industrial control computers. The computing power, software resources, and database support of ordinary industrial control computers are all difficult for embedded industrial control computers to match.
Secondly, in the establishment of large-scale systems, the system expansion capabilities and data collection and communication capabilities of ordinary industrial control computers are difficult for embedded industrial control computers to replace;
Furthermore, in fields such as visualization design, process embedded industrial control computers, data statistics, scientific computing, prototype simulation design, and in-the-loop simulation, ordinary industrial control computers have inherent disadvantages.
