B&R Automation APC910 automation controller

Based on the third-generation Intel Core i-series processors, the B&R Automation PC 910 (APC910) offers maximum computing power for complex tasks, such as sophisticated machine vision and multiaxis motion systems.

Industrial PCs are characterised by taking a standard ‘Wintel’ approach, and waving the ruggedising wand over the case and components; improving tolerance to vibration, and providing cabinet mounts. Add a solid state drive and its reliability is significantly enhanced compared to a workstation bought from an appliance retailer. The APC910 is fanless and cableless, and has the option of a built-in UPS.

The B&R real-time operating system provides higher performance and reliability than COTS operating systems. Effectively an OS and PLC in one application, a PC-based controller accepts a PLC program download just like a traditional PLC.

Hypervisor technology allows multiple operating systems to run on a single multicore processor. Thus a dual (or more) OS PC can be built - each OS is assigned a core and all run simultaneously. This powerful feature, effectively quarantining each OS and the applications within, allows a single PC to perform reliably as a controller, without the concerns that other applications could affect reliability. One core can run the real-time OS for control, while another can run Windows to host a SCADA server or client, reporting tools or just a desktop for web browsing.