Designing a Tablet PC demonstration platform based on congatec’s COM
Bringing the benefits of modular computing to new applications requires not only an appreciation of the technical requirements, but an understanding of the user’s expectations. While the inherent flexibility and performance of modular computing offers the ability to meet even the most stringent technical requirements, the benefits of easily creating a bespoke system through changes to a simple carrier board should not be overlooked.
As part of his studies at Fachhochschule Deggendorf (HDU Deggendorf), engineering student Simon Brandl was required to complete a six-month industrial internship. When choosing where to spend that time, Brandl was introduced to modular computing and an exciting project within congatec AG.
Once R&D Manager, Carsten Rebmann, was charged with overseeing Brandl’s activity, he proposed a project that he hoped would be both challenging and interesting: a Tablet PC Demonstration Platform, codenamed ‘c-Pad’. The concept had already been approved by the management team before it was considered suitable as a student project. Rebmann felt fortunate that Brandl was both available and interested in tackling what could become an important technology demonstrator for congatec.
As the c-Pad Demonstrator was intended to highlight the capabilities of modular computing, Brandl needed to rapidly familiarise himself with the COM concept and congatec’s product portfolio. Without this knowledge it would have been extremely difficult to address the technical and physical requirements of this emerging application space.
COM basics
COM, or computer-on-module, is a paradigm that enables an interoperable, interchangeable and upgradeable hardware construct. The key parameters that could impact these fundamental objectives are controlled under an industry-wide, internationally agreed upon set of standards.
This level of compliance benefits COM providers – such as congatec, a member of the COM Express Alliance, founder of the Qseven Technology Alliance and editor within PICMG – and manufacturers of industrial equipment equally, while providing a roadmap for performance improvements. A recent example of how the COM community was able to react and adapt to new technology was the development of the Qseven COM format. The Qseven COM format was conceived as a low cost and low power mobile platform. As well as employing more traditional x86-based processors, the Qseven format is also the first COM to employ processors based on ARM architecture.
Tablet-Demonstatror 3D rendering
The introduction of ARM-based processors that target industrial applications has proved one of the most impactful developments in the COM industry of recent years. ARM provides a complementary alternative to the incumbent x86 variants and offers significant benefits. This, in turn, has enabled new COM products to enter the market targeting a range of potential opportunities.
One of those new opportunities presents itself in the form of the adoption of Tablet PCs within the industrial sector. Increasingly, manufacturers are finding that a portable control interface brings convenience and productivity benefits. As such, the Tablet format is ideally suitable, as it combines connectivity with a simple interface and the processing performance necessary to tackle complex control functions.
Tablets developed for the consumer sector don’t offer the right level of ruggedness or, often, configurability necessary for the industrial sector. As a result, early examples of industrial Tablet PCs have invariably taken a full-custom design approach, adding cost and complexity. The objective of the c-Pad project was to develop a Demonstration Platform that would clearly illustrate the suitability of a COM approach to rapidly developing an industrial Tablet PC.
The right platform
The presence of ARM’s Cortex-A architecture in mobile devices is prolific, but its use in industrial applications is a relatively new phenomenon, fueled largely by the introduction of Freescale’s i.MX6 processor family. This represents a major step forward for the COM community in general and the Qseven platform in particular. Using the i.MX6 family, congatec now offers the conga-QMX6 range of Qseven modules, which feature single-, dual- and quad-core variants of Freescale’s i.MX6 processor. This gives an inherent performance roadmap and the ability to create a single platform with multiple performance points.
Tablet Demonstrator individual components.
“When choosing the right platform for the c-Pad, I had the choice of any of congatec’s COM products, but the choice was fairly clear; the conga-QMX6 is a state-of-the-art platform which makes full use of Freescale’s Cortex-A9 based i.MX6 family,” commented Brandl.
The conga-QMX6 provides a powerful processor with integrated graphics acceleration, in a low power, high performance format. “It means that there is no difference in performance between a full-custom design and one based on the conga-QMX6,” added Brandl.
Student journey
The opportunity to work on such a significant project influenced Brandl’s decision to accept an internship at congatec. Even though he was fully supported throughout the project by Rebmann and his team, it really was Brandl’s project.
The c-Pad Demonstrator was developed entirely using stock parts and comprises a standard carrier board and the Qseven COM module, along with congatec’s SMART Battery Monitor and Smart Display modules. However, as this needed to be a working demonstrator, Brandl was also required to port a version of embedded Linux to the platform, select and integrate a display, and design the mechanical enclosure.
Simon Brandl holding the finalized congatec Tablet PC Demonstrator.
“I had to learn a lot, in terms of new design skills and how to use specific software tools, for both electronic and mechanical design,” explained Brandl. As well as the overall system design, Brandl had to ensure the viability of the platform, which meant making sure it could meet both the industry’s technical and commercial requirements. This is achieved by first selecting the right processing platform – in this case the i.MX6 – and then by applying that in a COM approach, which allows for simple and cost-effective customer modification by simply redesigning the carrier board. This approach successfully demonstrates that a COM approach to product design can be applied to mobile computing, while reducing design complexity and therefore the risk of missing a time-to-market window.
Future challenges
Brandl explained that working on the c-Pad project has given him valuable insight into where his career as a professional engineer can lead. The success of the project has also led Rebmann to extend congatec’s engagement with students, with two more projects already in the planning stages. Rebmann intends to approach more universities to encourage students to consider a career in engineering, and stated congatec is in the process of creating a formal apprenticeship program for engineering students.
“My experience on the c-Pad project has taught me a lot,” commented Brandl. “The opportunity to apply my existing skills, while developing valuable new abilities in an industrial design environment, has given me a unique head-start in my career.”
About the authors:
Carsten Rebmann is Head of Development at Congatec – www.congatec.com
Simon Brandl is a Student Intern at Congatec.
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