Applied Data Systems, Synergetic Micro Systems partner on platform products at NMW

Chicago, Ill. -Applied Data Systems (Columbia, Md.) and Synergetic Micro Systems (Downers Grove, Ill.) announced Mar. 5 at National Manufacturing Week a collaborative design effort to produce a new 32-bit StrongARM computer incorporating Synergetic’s EmbeddedComm/EC-1 universal fieldbus chip. The two partners report their new product suite will be sold to OEMs and equipment suppliers, and expect the suite to offer price and performance advantages over traditional ISA/PC104/x86 industrial systems. Target applications include HMI terminals, machine and process controllers, and network servers and bridges.

The new single-board computer will synthesize Applied Data’s Graphics Master and Synergetics’ EC-1 fieldbus system. It will be available with Windows CE, Linux, VX/Works and OS-9 support. The basic unit will be certified for extended-temperature and high-vibration applications.

‘Applied Data Systems’ buying power and state-of-the-art designs offer unprecedented price performance in the single-board computer environment,’ says Rick Goldstein, Synergetic’s coo. ‘Synergetic has the fundamental goal of making multiple networking solutions affordable for every embedded application. Teaming up with Applied Data is a great step forward toward that goal.’

Its developers add that their new 32-bit StrongARM computer will be, ‘a true single-board system with power supply, flat panel support, fieldbus, and local I/O on one card. Depopulated to typical OEM specs, and sold in OEM quantities, it will be sold in the $400-550 range. Coupled with the new generation of cost-effective, flat-panel displays and a plastic case, this board should enable whole suites of products with a distributor-type ‘shelf price’ of $1,000 and less.’

Synergetic’s EC-1 will be implemented as a co-processor, combining RISC-based, zero-wait-state performance turbo 80186 technology with on-chip memory to provide networking support for 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, multiple CAN and serial channels, and Siemens’ Profibus master/slave technology. This will allow the new board to work in virtually any fieldbus system or connect to the Internet.

‘The fieldbus wars are over. The decisive weapon is the EC-1 chip. The winner is Synergetic Micro Systems. The spoils of war will be divided by the companies that adopt this exciting technology first,’ says Lawrence Ricci, Applied Data’s business development manager.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.