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What is the Zbrain System?
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The Zbrain System is a modular solution optimized for measurement and control with a power consumption in the milliwatt range. Modular HW and SW adapt to different process requirements and geometries. The ZBrain System generally consists of 3 elements: the CPU module (ZBrain), the baseboard (ZBase) and a series of stackable Process I/O Modules. The ZBase and I/O modules formfactor is the size of a credit card. Several I/O modules can be stacked onto each other shaping a cube (ZBox). The smallest form factor is 1xZBrain CPU module and 1xZBase. Generally, the base board and Process I/O Modules are not bound to the credit card format. Example: ZMobile integrates several mixed signal I/O on 100x80mm and demonstrates that other, also custom specific modules, can be derived from the standard solutions – in short time and with no risk. Similar to ZMobile, custom specific boards could collect the I/O required by the specs on an individual form factor. The Zbrain System isn't only a hardware toolbox but also a development philosophy and concept: “LabVIEW on Blackfin with scalable, field-proven Process I/O and deterministic realtime behavior.” 12 Palettes with over 200 board VI's and features such as hard realtime services, a fast debug mode and flash utilities add value on top of the default LabVIEW libraries.
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Is LabVIEW on Blackfin Rea-Time Capable ?
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Yes, neither Windows/Linux nor another operating system is running on your ZBrain target hardware, but the real-time , cooperative multi-tasking kernel VDK (VisualDSP++ Kernel) delivered by Analog Devices. VDK is a rudimentery RTOS targeted for Analog Devices Blackfin and SHARC Processors. The Schmid Engineering Board Support Package (BSP) ensures deterministic realtime behavior of the designed application. The LabVIEW diagram is translated into standardized C-Code, merged with the VDK source files and ZBrain realtime libraries and downloaded into the target hardware as deterministic firmware. Typical reaction times are : reaction to external triggers in [ns], program execution with regards to time stamps in [us], context switching between multiple tasks in [ms].
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What are the main design task/operation modes ?
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The user friendly and low cost FAST DEBUG MODE (FDM) allows to complete nearly 95% of the embedded code in the familiar and productive LabVIEW “Drag & Drop & Run” style. Lengthy code generation is left for the last 5%.
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In these last 5%, deployable realtime code is generated out of the LabVIEW Diagram and downloaded into the targets RAM to debug and test the application under real-time conditions using an Incircuit Emulator (ICE).
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Finally, bootable ROM instructions are generated from the real-time code and burned into the targets flash memory for standalone operation.
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For efficient driver development or critical application code sections, simultaneous graphical (LabVIEW) and text based (C) debugging can be used to track down errors and anomalies.
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What power management features are available ?
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On the processor level, the core clock and core voltage can be reduced during idle periods and/or the CPU can enter one of the sleeping modes. On the board level, several means help to reduce power consumption. Programmable shutdown and wake-up ensure longest battery life. Several board regions and I/O power supplies can be temporarily switched off, eg a TFT backlight. Automatic switching between battery and external mains supply saves battery power and recharges at the same time. Battery's level and state of health can be monitored and displayed.
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What is the Development Kit ?
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The ZMdevkit is an industrial grade, complete starterkit, development environment and testbench for standalone measurement and control applications based on LabVIEW on Blackfin . The kit provides 4x Analog and 2x Digital Inputs, 8x Digital Outputs, 14x Debounced Inputs and 5 configurable high-speed UARTs . The I/O can be scaled to 16x Analog and 32x Digital Inputs, 8x Analog and 32x Digital Outputs, 12x Encoder Inputs and 16x Power Switches.
Several mixed signal circuits allow you to simulate all I/O's to test your software framework, algorithms and test strategies long before the HW/SW is applied to the real world. Included are: 4 integrated potentiometers, 14 switches, 8 LED's, 1xRS232, 1xRS485/422, 1xUSB, 1xBuzzer, 1xBattery interface, 1xCompact Flash slot and 1x optional TFT display with Touch. Thanks to additional I/O connectors and jumpers, you can easily switch back and forth between the real-world environment and simulation signals. After completion, the ZMobile can be plugged out and re-used in the operational system.
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What support on the system level can I expect ?
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Problem analyses and feasibility studies
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Consulting in the choice of HW/SW components to meet the requirements
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Project support in Design -> Prototyping -> Deployment -> Field
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Assistance during the design phase of the software structure with suitable design patterns and appropriate application frameworks.
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Assistance in critical embedded tasks such as real-time considerations, multitasking, callbacks, watchdogs, RTC, system parameters, error-handling and -recovery, event-logging and real-time debugging.
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Assistance accross the whole toolchain: LabVIEW Embedded / BSP / VisualDSP++ / Flash programmer
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Support for design standard modules into hardware developed by the customer
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Design Checks of hardware developed by the customer
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Software reviews
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Development of custom specific HW and SW
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Development of custom specific "complete" solutions
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Development of custom specific experiments and software frameworks for quickest startup
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