The Sorion Rigel family of single board microprocessors have been specifically designed for the real time control and data acquisition environment.
All of the Rigel family of cards are based around a common core hardware design using the Hitachi H8S 16 bit processor. They run an embedded real time operating system (RTOS) and are programmed in a control basic language using readily available tools. Sorion work in close co-operation with Micro-Robotics and have applied their VM1 as the core processor module of the Rigel cards. Ongoing joint development is scheduled to bring a range of enhancements and additional features to the Rigel family and the software development environment.
The modular concept of the Rigel microprocessor family enables Sorion to deliver cost effective bespoke hardware and software solutions in volumes as low as 10 units to 100 off volumes. For volumes of 100+ the core design and software can be migrated to a fully bespoke PCB. This allows the prototype and low pre-volume builds to be carried out cost effectively and following acceptance the high volume product can be produced, safe in the knowledge that the hardware and software design will not change.
Rigel - VCi3
This is the first of the fully integrated implementations of the Rigel concept. VCi (Versatile Communications Interface) has integrated a CAN controller, LIN
Bus and K Line interface. A number of discrete I/O ports allow for integration
into systems. This Rigel product is supplied fully boxed in a rugged
handheld enclosure and is ready to run straight out of the box.
Rigel - TCP
This was the first Rigel product and was developed for use in bespoke assembly
and test equipment. TCP (Total Control Processor) has a 3U Euro-card format with
all I/O bought out to a DIN41612F connector.
Rigel - VCi2
This is the first of the higher volume implementations of the Rigel concept.
VCi (Versatile Communications Interface) has integrated a CAN controller, LIN
Bus and K Line interface. A number of discrete I/O ports allow for integration
into systems. This product is squarely aimed at the testing of bus based
vehicle systems and sub-systems and operates as a standalone unit, or as a
peripheral to a PC based system, interfacing using USB or RS232C interfaces.
Rigel - USBIO
The USBIO (I/O Controller) is designed to interface to Sorion's range of Euro-card
I/O cards to a supervisory / control PC using USB or RS232C. The Rigel-IOC is an
extended single height Euro-card and operates fro 10 - 30v DC (as used by the
Sorion industrial I/O cards).
Rigel - ICE
This product was specifically design to test the vehicle installation of (ICE) In Car
Entertainment systems and introduced to the Rigel family battery management,
wireless LAN and an integrated CCD barcode reader.
Rigel - BDS
The BDS (Buffered Device Server) is designed to allow the integration of "dumb"
serial devices onto a factory network server system in a resilient manner.
The unit can detect and provide effective management of both network and serial
device connection and data failures. A local LCD and status LED's provide
feedback at the unit.
Rigel processors as standard are programmed in Venom-SC which is a full-featured, high level programming language designed for writing embedded control applications. Sorion has developed an extensive set of additional library functions to the standard language.
Key features of the programming language are:-
High Level - many built in device objects
Block structured
Simple Syntax
Local Variables
Floating-point arithmetic
Arrays, Macros, Pointers
Filing System
TCP/IP Networking
Sorion can provide tools to allow engineers to program in the language and download programs to the Rigel processors.
Sorion can supply Rigel cards from the developed family to various levels of build, thus allowing the most cost effective integration possibilities. Also new bespoke versions can be produced with very short lead times and at low cost.
The Rigel systems have already been deployed in a number of automotive assembly and test projects with a number of the worlds leading vehicle manufacturers and is currently testing vehicle vacuum systems, verifying correct fitment of various mechanical assemblies, using CAN communications to test vehicle sub-assemblies and providing data capture stations.
Sorion would be happy to discuss your requirements for Rigel cards or provide you with fully built up solutions. Please contact Sorion for further information regarding Rigel processors.
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