Industrial automation systems are performing more tasks and doing so more quickly

industrial automation systems are performing more tasks and doing so more quickly, more accurately, and in harsher environments than ever before. They are becoming connected tools with substantially more computing and communication capabilities, allowing them to interoperate with other devices. As they evolve and proliferate, these systems put new demands on their computing technology. Rugged COM Express modules not only meet the computing needs of today’s rapidly changing industrial landscape, but also protect the investment to meet tomorrow’s performance needs.

At the dawn of the “Industrial Internet,” the ante is being upped for modular embedded systems. More and more machines are being connected, many in remote and challenging environments such as oil and gas, locomotives, transportation, and ship-propulsion systems. To meet the demand for more data in less time, these systems must work faster and longer. Accelerating with the demand for data is the evolution of computer processors. But businesses can’t afford the downtime required to replace processors, or the expense of replacing the carrier board when upgrading the processor. According to a 2006 Department of Energy study, idle industrial machinery can cost as much as $800 per minute.


What’s needed is a modular embedded computing architecture that addresses these cost and downtime issues. Perhaps the most compelling of the modular architectures available today is COM Express. COM Express provides the requisite computing power for today’s increasingly connected world while also extending the lifespan of the underlying system. As chip technology evolves, users can switch out the module without adverse effect on the underlying hardware and assets – saving time and money. The modularity, simplicity, and reliability of COM Express technology help businesses remain competitive, profitable, and flexible.

refer to:http://industrial-embedded.com/articles/rugged-increasingly-connected-world/