User-Friendly
Touch Panel Interfaces for Critical
Tools
Integrated Solutions Inc. (ISI) recognized the
significant potential of combining the strengths of the Linux
operating system with the power of Advantech's computing and HMI
product lines to create consistent, cost-effective, user-friendly
touch panel interfaces for Critical Tools.
Introduction
In collaboration with an industry leading semiconductor manufacturing
supplier, Integrated Solutions, Inc. (ISI) recognized the significant
potential of combining the strengths of the Linux operating system
with the power of the Advantech line of computing. ISI utilizes
the Advantech HMI platforms to create consistent, cost-effective,
user-friendly touch panel interfaces for critical tools. Following
significant evaluation, it became apparent that a compatible version
of Linux was not readily available. This led to the decision by
ISI to invest in the effort to assemble a customized version of
the open source operating system. This enables a very compact
memory footprint along with tremendous flexibility and a familiar
development environment. ISI Linux was the result of the ISI effort.
System Description
By combining a custom kernel built for the Transmeta Crusoe processor,
X  windows
libraries,an Apache web server with support for PHP, and a lightweight
browser, ISI has created a control platform that is highly robust
and configurable. Web-based applications supported by this platform
are easily developed using readily available tools and standards
including HTML and PHP. The configurable nature of Linux has enabled
ISI to load the operating system and custom interface onto a single
bootable 128 MB Compact Flash card, resulting in a complete solid-state
solution.
The preliminary launch of this control platform incorporates a
collection of dynamic web pages that are locally served to the
touch screen interface of an Advantech TPC-1260T
HMI. By leveraging the existing network support within ISI Linux,
these same web pages are also accessible remotely via standard
web browsers, thus allowing remote monitoring without the need
to install custom client software. The value of this remote access
functionality becomes apparent when considering the benefit to
service personnel who can diagnose problems prior to traveling
to the customer site. Additionally, the framework established
in the creation of this tool will be central to the customer's
ability to reduce time to market for future tools.
Conclusion
While this project represents a great step forward for ISI, it
is not their first foray into working with Advantech computing
platforms. Previously, ISI developed the interface for ATMI's
ACM, a hazardous production material monitoring tool, using the
QNX operating system on the Advantech PPC-123T.
This tool provides monitoring of potentially dangerous gases within
a facility, with the ability to access its interface with a standard
browser from anywhere in the world (www.atmi.com/liveacm for a
live tool).
Additionally,
in conjunction with another customer, ISI is quickly deploying
ISI Linux on the Advantech TPC-1260T
as the control interface to a robotic semiconductor manufacturing
tool.
The above
mentioned application was designed and implemented by Integrated
Solutions, Inc. (ISI), Phoenix, Arizona. ISI designs and manufactures
products, provides systems integration services for semiconductor
and other industries and performs custom programming in a wide
variety of industries. ISI specializes in embedded and distributed
control systems, integration and programming software, and hardware
design, engineering and manufacturing. As common sense integrators,
ISI designs quality answers to everyday "real world"
problems.. For more information on ISI Solutions Inc., call
602-437-5209 or visit them on the web at www.isiaz.com.
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