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Here are two recent write-ups.

Open the Window - Intel dual- and multi-core technology

Hierarchical Temporal Memory for Process Control

Intel provides technology and software tools that enables the process control engineer to see into their processes better, cheaper, faster.

Human Machine Architecture

Before the computer and controls revolution of the 1960s and '70s, a control manager's window into their process was a glass window from their office onto the site's pipes, valves, autoclaves, reactors, etc. And the window was often covered with years of dirt and grime. With computer technology they were able to view a representation of the process on a screen. Then the engineer didn't need to walk into the operators' room full of dials, slide bars, charts, and graphs tied to pneumatics. The world moved on, taking full advantage of electronic controls.

Intel with over 35 years of expertise in embedded computing and communication has provide a leadership role developing tools and technologies to improve the view. Intel® Advanced Platform Technologies using their dual- and multi-core processors enable remote management reducing system management costs while increasing flexibility and security. The technology that opens the process window for the engineer is a human machine interface (HMI).

An HMI, typically, communicates with specialized control systems (DCS, PLC) on the site and is tied to that equipment and vendor. HMI classifications include: text displays (simple text displays that do not possess programming or configuration capabilities); text operator panels (integrated alphanumeric keypad or board without graphic capabilities); graphic operator/touch screen panels (graphical screens with integrated keypads/boards/touch screens; embedded products); PLC/DCS interfaces (text or graphic displays that are integrated and tied to an specific PLC/DCS vendor); among others. All of this uses proprietary software in each vendors real-time operating system (RTOS).

Most OEMs begin with a proprietary HMI architecture. The closed system consists of various PLCs or a DCS that determines the applications that are available. The industry is moving towards supporting open HMI systems based on standard operating systems (OS) and common protocols. This is evident by ISA convening a standards committee around just HMI initiatives. The open architecture using Intel's chip sets enables multivendor solutions.

HMI innovation focuses on information displays, process visualization, user interaction, and performance. And it allows for the decoupling of the HMI from tethered equipment to become mobile while creating a more open environment. This is more than just an industrial PC that hangs on a local control network. Mobile HMI is a true control tool that can run both real time and operator systems using Intel's multiple execution core architecture.

HMI that operates with a scalable and open operating system, providing standard file formats, interfaces, and communications, can provide PC-type functionality increasing information processing. Increased process information means better response time, increased safety, and overall lower costs and increased profitability.

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Intel Making Good On Promises

Intel is delivering on its roadmap for processors including more execution cores on a single processor chip. Intel® Core™ Duo, Core 2 Duo, and Quad-Core processors have speeds up to 2.0 GHz fabricated with 65-nanometer technology and offer 64-bit computing. These multi-core processors cut power consumption, control clock speed, allow clock gating, clock jitter and reprogram core voltage and frequency.

These processors utilize the Intel® Core™ microarchitecture along with the following key features:

· Intel® Wide Dynamic Execution Enabling delivery of more instructions per clock cycle to improve execution time and energy efficiency
· Intel® Intelligent Power Capability Designed to deliver more energy-efficient performance
· Intel® Smart Memory Access Improves system performance by optimizing the use of the available memory data bandwidth
· Intel® Advanced Digital Media Boost Accelerates a broad range of applications, including video, speech and image, photo processing and encryption
· Intel® Advanced Smart Cache Provides a higher-performance, more efficient cache subsystem

Intel offers several software tools to enable migration from single-threaded applications. Speed Step technology enables one to dynamically scale core voltage and frequency to save power. The multi-microarchitecture offers dynamic execution and smart cache. Thread Checker and Thread Profiler analyze and optimize performance identifying specific opportunities to improve code efficiency and performance. Intel® VTune™ Performance Analyzer evaluates application characteristics and determines performance
Impacts. Intel's VT-d enables partitioning resources without the overhead found in other architectures. Intel® C++ Compiler and code libraries provide for automatic parallelization of application software.

Intel software offerings work with a number of installed 32- and 64-bit operating systems including Microsoft Windows Vista®, CE, XP; Linux; and Apple Mac OS X. Like a hawk eyeing its meal, the combination of software capabilities enable the controls engineer advantages for zeroing in on upgrading their control over their process.

What this translates into for HMI, according to Ian Gilvarry, Intel Segment Marketing Manager, "These features and virtualization technology enables a real-time operating system to run simultaneously with an operator's operating system, creating an open and integrated HMI."

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HMI Design

Good HMI design should simultaneously provide a visual interface while controlling the field systems in real-time, and one should not adversely effect the other. Thermal dissipation using a fanless design and occupying a smaller footprint with mobile capabilities provides a path to better control. HMIs use high-bandwidth interfaces for real-time sampling (trending, alarms, etc.) and must optimize the balance between integration and modularity for multiple deployment designs. As process topology becomes more complex and mobile, graphical displays influence visual interface specifications. HMIs must be capable to handle rugged environments and withstand high temperatures.

Low power needs enable high performance in fan-less designs and rugged mobile solutions for harsh environments. Virtualization technology enables real-time operating systems and standard operating systems to run simultaneously for integrated HMI functionality. The key, moving controls closer to the process, is the same for good HMI design. Providing a mobile, untethered, solution that can handle all of the preceding requirements offer a process engineer a window to the process world that they have not had before.

Mr. Gilvarry states, "Intel® Intelligent Power Capability is a key feature in our newest processors. Designed to reduce power - manages the runtime power consumption of all the processor's execution cores. The result is excellent energy optimization enabling Intel Core microarchitecture to deliver more energy-efficient performance."

High quality graphics and 3D is another advancement that Intel offers to be faster, cheaper, better. 3D visualizations provides an operator with a more granular view into the process. One more way in which to use the capabilities of Intel's chip sets.

Intel® Active Management Technology (AMT) stores hardware and software information in non-volatile memory. With built-in manageability, Intel AMT allows the control engineer to discover the assets, even while HMIs are powered off. With Intel AMT, remote mobile HMIs do not rely on local software agents, helping to avoid accidental data loss. The built-in manageability of Intel AMT provides out-of-band management capabilities to allow remote healing of systems after OS failures. Alerting and event logging detects problems quickly and reduces downtime lowering system costs.

All of these tools will help propel future development. According to industry engineers, real-time systems still currently use up to 75% of the computing power within both cores of the dual-core processors. As the proprietary software of the I/O, PLC, DCS, and other real-time systems moves from single-thread software to the multi-thread software, it will take full advantage of the power of the multi-core processors. They stated that is an ongoing development.

Figure X shows the movement from multiple processing chips to using the single footprint of the multi-processing chip. The single chip demands less space and less power consumption. The technology and software tools moves the industry towards open and mobile computing.

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Intel Capabilities Fit HMI Needs

Competition demands that process control be more economical and efficient. By "seeing" into their processes on a more open environment and moving towards mobile control, the engineer is achieving these goals.

Intel's multi-core architecture provides for a more open, mobile HMI. Its scalable product range, accelerated development, and long-term availability provide stability and reliability. Siemens has introduced a mobile panel HMI that is based on Intel multi-microprocessor technology. The Siematic Mobile Panel 277 is a wireless panel HMI. B+R is concentrating on using Intel microarchitecture and its low power consumption creating a fanless environment. B+R's APC810 uses the Core Duo processor to increase data throughput (see sidebar).

The future for HMI development is moving towards both mobile and open developments. It will and does use the advances that Intel chip sets provide to both the HMI developers and to I/O technologists.

Mr. Gilvarry further states, "In 2008, we will be introducing lower power platforms that provide sub-5 Watt solutions (CPU+Chipset) for ultra-low power small form factor embedded applications. The CPU architected for ultra-low power designs. The architecture provides break-through improvements in performance-per-watt for lower performance platform needs."

These developments will lead to even better solutions and an improved return on investment for the controls engineer.

SIDEBAR (and APC810 product picture)

B+R ensuring end-user satisfaction in the industrial PC market since the 1990s, has taken the latest Intel technology and created a fanless HMI. "The availability of Intel's embedded processors and chipsets meets the needs of our customers regarding form fitting function - in the very best way," states Raimund Ruf, Business Manager for HMIs. Over many years of development and customer application (with hundreds of thousands of industrial PCs installed worldwide) input B+R offers their APC810. The mechanical design is based on the results of shock and vibration tests that place a demand on materials. The elimination of internal component cable connections, stable circuit board fittings, and mass memory without rotating parts - fanless (CompactFlash) - combine with B+R's mechanical construction create protection against breakdowns.

Using Intel® Core™ Duo processors and their fanless design enables heat to be transferred directly to the heat sink. This eliminates the need to regularly changing out fan filters. All specific device data from the APC810 can be read and edited: reading the key matrix, temperature values, device data, and changing the display brightness. B+R's Smart Display Link combines the digital display interface and touch transfer for the display unit into one interface. Matrix keys, service data (temperature, operation hours), and USB signals are transferred using the same cable.

Their bus topology using Intel multi-microprocessors enables fast data throughput and is used for graphical applications and image processing. A gigabit Ethernet interface ensures high transfers rate from external sources.

The next step for B+R, stated Mr. Ruf, was to use the software tools that Intel provides to port proprietary I/O, PLC applications to a multi-thread environment and use the multi-core processors for both real-time and operator (HMI) operations.

Performance tests and ratings are measured using specific computer systems and/or components and reflect the approximate performance of Intel products as measured by those tests. Any difference in system hardware or software design or configuration may affect actual performance. Buyers should consult other sources of information to evaluate the performance of systems or components they are considering purchasing. For more information on performance tests and on the performance of Intel products, visit Intel Performance Benchmark Limitations

INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH INTEL® PRODUCTS. NO LICENSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY ESTOPPEL OR OTHERWISE, TO ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IS GRANTED BY THIS DOCUMENT. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN INTEL'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR SUCH PRODUCTS, INTEL ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER, AND INTEL DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY, RELATING TO SALE AND/OR USE OF INTEL PRODUCTS INCLUDING LIABILITY OR WARRANTIES RELATING TO FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY, OR INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT.

All products, platforms, dates, and figures specified are preliminary based on current expectations, and are subject to change without notice.

Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Core, Intel NetBurst, Intel SpeedStep, Xeon, Pentium, and VTune are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

http://legal.intel.com/Marketing/notices+and+disclaimers.htmCopyright © 2007, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Harry Furness

Introduction

Recently, my studies and inquiry into Numenta's Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) technology have led me to believe that HTM has a practical application in Process Control. Teaching computers to learn process control algorithms would move control to its point of application. This could increase yield, decrease errors in production and increase product quality. This is not meant to explain HTM to an industry. It is offered as a brief overview for thought.

Background

Currently, control is more than a matter of tuning valves, reactors, input flows, output flows, temperature gauges, pressure gauges, actuators, etc. This is done by a fleet of controls at the point of operation and remotely. Because few processes remain the same size (successful ones grow and unsuccessful ones scale back), system expansion and scalability is always a consideration. System considerations go beyond the hardware out in the field or plant and include things such as: supported process I/O drivers; measurement and control device interfaces; system peripherals (i.e. printers, storage media, etc.); software; performance; and networking.

Because a process' quality, output, and waste are only as good as its tuning, there are myriad methods to do so. In order to know how to teach computers to learn, we must know how human intelligence works. Jeff Hawkins, the inventor of the PalmPilot and MindSpring, has led research into the way human intelligence works and how to teach computers to think and handle problems.

In the real world there is no "snap shot" of life. There is always a time stamp that is and must be applied. Our world is a world of probability. The only true statics are those in the absolute world. An absolute would be an isosceles triangle. Even though we would draw a representation of one on the blackboard, it is not the absolute, it is simply an example. And a temporal one at that. Our eyes scan it. It has a different appearance according to our viewing point. And on and on.

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HTM

HTM software is set up to perform the same way as our neocortex. It learns through training it to recognize specifics and turn that information into predictive behavior. It is similar to a Bayesian Network in its hierarchy; however, its temporal recognition offers a higher level of handling complexity. HTM's software is not complex, just its capabilities. Its open source code has the ability to discover and infer predictive behavior.

HTM is a technology based on learning and putting it to use to recognize inferences. The software is a method to (taken from a white paper by Jeff Hawkins & Dileep George):
· Discover causes
· Infer causes
· Make predictions
· Direct behavior

All HTM systems have a sensory input. The HTM receives the spatio-temporal patterns coming from the sensor. Causes sent to the sensor are then measured against a set of beliefs and as information is sent up the hierarchy and determines predictive behavior. This is a short overview and is not the full complex capabilities of HTM.

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Practical Process Application

How much time is spent tuning and re-tuning sensors and actuators? From where is this tuning occurring and what are the instances of failure? Predictive control has always been a goal of process tuning. But, just image scalable predictive control that reacts faster and without the noise in the head of some of the best process control engineers. Each element of the process system has its intelligence and some are more intelligent than others. For example, each valve has it sensor and actuator. It collects information and measures its readings against what it has been set. The actuator opens or closes the valve according to its desired range for pressure or flow rate. This information may or may not be tied in with the other data collected by the other components of the system.

Each component of the process system sends information to its controller. Control software is constantly measuring and reacting. Speed is a key element that determines a reactors ability to make a quality product or sludge. Each point needs to have been programmed into the software. If the code does not recognize what is happening, there is an alarm and it must be handled outside of the software.

This type of iterative process must occur each time the process is online. Each time the process is changed (from research to production, from site to site change, ramping up production, ramping down production) the control software must be changed. Each control over the production equipment must be reprogrammed for the new values.

Teaching the system once and letting it react to any new conditions would allow greater flexibility. It would enable systems to more seamlessly shift to production needs. It would incorporate the capabilities to meet shifting standards.

Conclusions

As HTM may not be the "Holy Grail" for process control, it may well be a grail. HTM software is not yet robust or fast enough. However, HTM's methodology and investigating teaching computers to learn and predict process behavior is worth an industry look. As HTM's applications increase and more people are trained to use this open source software, its practical use could greatly increase yield and quality and decrease time of manufacturing.

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