The Power PMAC is a full-fledged general-purpose computing engine with a true real-time multi-tasking operating system. Yet, it comes embedded with Delta Tau’s latest motion and machine-control programming environment, built on over 25 years of experience in producing state-of-the-art controllers that are easy to use.

This gives machine control designers the best of both worlds. In virtually all aspects of the machine control, users have the choice between using the built-in motion and PLC algorithms or providing their own software written in C or C++ and compiled with the GNU compiler under the terms of GPL.

The Power PMAC uses the latest generation of embedded Power PC processors. As embedded processors, most require no active cooling, improvement cost, size, and reliability. Still, these processors are lightning-fast, with hardware implementation of 64-bit floating-point mathematics. This automatically provides the required resolution and range for virtually any motion-control application imaginable, without hurting computational efficiency.

The processors can support gigabytes of solid-state memory, both active and non-volatile. The base configuration provides 512 MB/1 Gig/2 Gig of DDR active memory, with error correction; 512 MB of user flash memory; USB memory sticks and NAND-flash “camera cards” can be used as well. Even applications that require multiple days to execute a motion sequence can now be accomplished without real-time streaming of the data.

Efficient 100-Base-T or 1000 Base-T Ethernet along with USB2 interfaces are built directly into the processors permitting data transfer rates close to the theoretical maximum bit rates. This eliminates the need for an awkward backplane-bus (e.g., PCI) interface in virtually all applications, even those requiring the streaming of thousands of motion blocks per second.

Want the controller to execute a complex “G-code” motion sequence generated by an industry-standard CAD/CAM program? Just download the program file to the Power PMAC and let the built-in interpreter and automatic motion sequencer take over.

Want to use object-oriented C++ code to govern the overall machine “PLC” logic on the same machine? Write the code in industry-standard language in a sophisticated integrated development environment (IDE), cross-compile it with the public-domain GNU compiler, and download it to the Power PMAC. Alternatively, create the logic graphically in one of the resident IEC-11631 standard forms that automatically generates C code, then run the resulting code. Do the same with programs such as “EPICS” that can simply be loaded into and executed in the CPU.

Happy with the built-in servo algorithms? Just set a few gain terms with the sophisticated automatic or interactive tuning utilities. Have a special servo algorithm you need implemented? Either write it directly in C or use a tool like Matlab’s Simulink and Real Time Workshop to generate the C code, cross-compile it and download it to the Power PMAC. 
                            

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