User programmable Microcontroller Modules for Process Control

in msCAN bus Network or stand alone Applications

AGM Controls Ltd. designs and manufactures microcontroller modules for process control with a Motorola HC912 or HC9S12 MCU. They can be used as stand alone units or in a control network using the msCAN bus (Bosch/Motorola). User friendly software by AGM Controls installed on a laptop or desktop PC connected to the RS232 serial port or via PCMCIA card to the CAN-port (links) allows easy programming . Orders have been mainly for control of geothermal, renewable, solar energy use and heat recycling.

control modules

AGM Controls offers different versions and specifications of control modules. The two examples shown in the upper row of the illustration below have amplified and filtered sensor input lines as well as discrete output lines for relays and analog output lines for devices requiring a continuous input between 0 and 10 V. All output lines can be programmed for pulsed operation. Larger boards with a total of 16 sensor inputs, 14 output lines for relays and 4 analog outputs are available. All control modules have nonvolatile memory to set all I/O lines to safe positions, to ininiate power saving Stop Mode on the MCU and to retain current control data in memory, in case of a power failure. The power supply board shown on the right in the lower row has a maximum of 5 Gold Caps to enable a critical actuator to reach a safety position after power loss. The relay board on the left in the lower row has 6 open drain triggered relays. As an option two additional relays can be installed and activated with positive trigger voltage from the DA amplifiers, if the analog output signals are not used.

  programming tools

AGMC control modules have a firmware operating system and user programmable flash memory for control algorithms and control data. The operating system, for instance, manages the real time clock, the data acquisition from sensors, the output of control data to actuators, the I/O data transfer of the display, the manual data input from keypads and for the communication between all modules connected to the CAN-bus as well as to the host PC. The user can specify control data and an associated control flow chart to have the modules programmed by AGM Controls. Another popular option provides programming of the control algorithm by AGM Controls and control data programming by the manufacturer, installer or service company. Some companies and individual customers favour programming of the control algorithm as well as of the control data by themselves. Therefore, AGM Controls also will provide consulting and information about I/O ports, registers, flash memory space, subroutine calls etc. needed to create the control routine. Use of the C-compiler ICC12 by Imagecraft is recommended for this method. Assembly programming will also work, but is less suitable for complex control routines. AGM Controls provides a comprehensive PC software package for inspecting and erasing the flash sectors containing the control data as well as for programming these flash sectors with the user created or altered control data or software.

 Information/orders

AGM Controls accepts inquiries about the delivery of standard control and actuator modules, adjusted within the given specifications to customer needs by a suitable selection of sensors, actuators and control software. AGM Controls provides standard safety approval (CE, CSA etc.) and a warranty exclusively limited to the firmware and hardware function of the control modules only. If you are interested in our products and want personal contact, more technical information, or price and delivery quotations, please, enter your telephone number, postal or email address after clicking here, We will promptly answer your inquiry.