XP-8000 series is x86-based PAC of ICP DAS. It combines the functionality and openness of PC, the reliability of a programmable logic controller (PLC), and the intelligence of I/O modules. Compared with PC and PLC, PAC has batter price/performance. Moreover, XP-8000 can be widely used in factory automation, building automation, machine automation, laboratory automation, chemical industry, environmental monitoring, M2M…etc.

XP-8000 is equipped with an x86-based CPU running a Windows Embedded Standard or Windows Embedded CE6 operating system, various connectivity (VGA, USB, Ethernet, RS-232/RS-485) and 0/1/3/7 slots for high performance parallel I/O modules.

Windows Embedded Standard 7 has the same Win32 API as Windows 7, most popular applications on desktop can run on WES7 based Panel PC. Most popular applications on desktop can be easily ported to Windows Embedded Standard. It’s also compatible with rich Windows IDEs, such as Visual studio, Delphi, Borland C++ Builder, etc. These points effectively reduce the efforts of developments and shorten the time to market.

Windows CE 6 is a compact and real-time OS used to quickly create time critical and high performance applications. With Windows CE 6, users can use familiar tools (VS .NET 2005/2008) to develop software. Its kernel architecture supports significantly more simultaneously running processes, from 32 up to 32,000 simultaneous processes, each of which can run in a 2GB virtual memory address space. This allows developers to incorporate larger numbers of more complex applications into the XP-8000-CE6. Further more, the development tools of Soft PLC (ISaGRAF) and SCADA (InduSoft) are also available.

A built-in VGA port can be directly connected to a regular LCD display. Users can operate the HMI or SCADA software (running on the XP-9000-WES7) with display, keyboard and mouse just as how they usually did on regular PCs.

The 64-bit hardware serial number is unique and individual. Every serial number of XP-9000-WES7 PAC is different. Users can add a checking mechanism to their AP to prevent software from pirating.

In normal situation, users can store their AP or data to the CF card or USB Flash disk. But in some vibration environment (for example, like driving ships, trains), the two storage media would be bad connection. Then the built-in Flash disk will be the best storage media in such the vibration environment.

A system could be hanged up when the OS or the AP fails. There are two watchdogs (OS watchdog and AP watchdog) designed to automatically reset the CPU when the situations happen. The design will increase the reliability of the system.

To retain important data while power off, non-volatile memory is the ideal design. The PAC is equipped with a 512 KB Non-volatile Memory.

The PAC provides two Ethernet ports. The two Ethernet ports can be used to implement redundant Ethernet communication and separate Ethernet communication (one for global Internet, one for private Ethernet).

To prevent the PAC from failing by the power loss, the power module is designed with two input connectors. Once a power input fails, the power module switches to the other power input. And there is a relay output for informing the power failure.

The PAC is housed in a plastic-based box with a column-like ventilator that can help to cool the working environment inside the box and allow the PAC to operate between -25 and +75 °C.