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Use Case

Mobile Automation

Use Case

Programming and Functional Safety for Microcontrollers Unified in a Single Engineering Tool

In Mobile Automation, microcontroller-based systems are increasingly being used to control autonomously operating vehicles and construction machinery. Ensuring functional safety is of paramount importance for safe usage. Together with our customers, we develop comprehensive solutions that allow programming of various platforms, systems, and the central control unit using a single tool.

Requirements

  • HW module with a small footprint, cost-effective implementation, and rapid time to market for decentralized control components
  • Complete safe functionality in a powerful safe controller
  • Programmability of safety functions by ODM independent of firmware and without re-certification
  • Programming in not only high-level languages but also IEC 61131-3 languages
  • Relevant fieldbus stacks (e.g., CAN-based in this industrial segment) for interfacing with external systems (including the safe variant CANopen Safety)
  • Simple and safe parameterization by the OEM user integrated with ODM's diagnostic and configuration tools
  • Safe and non-safe on the same hardware up to SIL2, or with 2 CPUs for SIL 3, no separate functional CPU required
  • Interface with Matlab/Simulink to directly import code from model-based development
  • Mix of C/C++ and IEC languages
  • Text-based storage of all project files to enable automatic external content generation
  • Headless build to automatically compile the automatically generated sources

Status

  • In Mobile Automation, microcontroller-based control systems are increasingly being used
  • These systems are increasingly used to control autonomously driving heavy trucks, tractors, and forestry machinery, as well as in cranes and large concrete pumps
  • The topic of "collaboration between humans and machines" and thus "functional safety" is therefore very important!
  • Safe solutions must be offered - there are no alternatives for the provider!

Solutions / Toolkit

  • Runtime system Neuron RTS micro runs on the non-safe core, and the certified safe runtime system Neuron RTS safe runs on the safety core
  • Engineering environment Neuron Power Engineer for programming both runtime systems
  • Both safe and non-safe applications can be realized from a single development environment (according to ISO 26262)
  • The integrated safety toolchain supports the implementation of safety functions up to ASIL C (Currently: Safety functions up to Safety Level SIL 2 according to ISO 61508 and PLd according to ISO 13849)
  • Seamless integration of Neuron Power Engineer into the existing customer system configuration tool allows for fully automated configuration of control programming
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With more than 30 years of experience, our team of experts is ready to co-create your solution! Together with our partners we develop open, flexible and efficient functionally safe solutions and engineering tools to reach the next level of industrial automation.

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