Multiple human machine interfaces (HMIs) can be found in the production lines of almost any modern facility. They provide operators, maintenance technicians, and plant managers with up-to-date information as well as control over complex processes.
Texas Instruments (TI) has bundled all of their industrial IC resources into a reference design for an HMI touch-screen device that costs in the neighborhood of $70/unit at high volumes.
The basic block diagram for an HMI interface shows the different input and output devices that are typically required.
Designers can't typically use off-the-shelf Android and iOS -based tablets because they cost too much and lack the I/O capabilities needed for HMI connections to industrial processes.
However, TI's design provides the advanced HMI interface requirements such as haptic feedback systems, touch control, media-based I/O, mass storage, wireless interface methods, network connectivity, and power management. This is all achieved using TI's unique industrial ICs such as:
- AM335x ARM Cortex-A8 processors
- BQ24072 USB-friendly Li-Ion battery charger and power management IC
- TLV320AIC3100 low-power audio codec and amplifier IC
- TPD4S012 4-channel USB ESD/EMI IC
- TPS61165 high brightness white LED driver
- TPS65105 4-channel LCD bias IC
- TPS65910A3 power management IC
- TPS71718 single output LDO
- TXS0104E 4-bit bi-directional voltage-level translator IC.
The reference design schematic shows a 7" LCD display complete with capacitive touch, a 3-axis accelerometer, micro-SD slot, Li-Ion battery, USB, and Wi-Fi interfaces.
Based on this design, the HMI interface can be mounted on a machine for operator control and real-time updates with a 60 frame-per-second refresh rate. The machine operations and process are passed on to the operator or maintenance technician using WiFi or Ethernet connectivity.
Wired connectivity is supported as expected for microcontroller-based designs including CAN, UART, USB, RS-232, RS-485, and 10/100Mb Ethernet. The device also supports popular integrated serial and Ethernet-based standards including PROFIBUS®, CANopen®, DeviceNET, EtherCAT®, PROFINET®, EtherNET/IP™, Modbus TCP/IP, SERCOS®, and POWERLINK.
However, with TI's unique line-up of wireless modules, connections can be made via Wi-Fi /Bluetooth/BLE (using TI's WiLink 8 and CC3000 modules).
Many designers are going to market with apps running on standard tablet platforms to address the advancing HMI needs of manufacturing plants. However, TI provides a reference design, ICs, and robust software that enhances the HMI interface experience for the end user. This solution is packaged in a product that can be brought to market in a short time frame for under $100 per unit. These inexpensive, high functional HMI devices are enhancing the operation and maintenance functions of modernized manufacturing facilities.
Texas Instruments has sponsored promotion of their industrial communications solutions on ENGINEERING.com. They have no editorial input to this post - all opinions are mine. Bruce Schreiner