Embedded systems are microprocessors and software that are used to control very specific devices such as a gas pump, or an assembly line robot, unlike the microprocessors used in PC's, that are general purpose. These systems often have to function in real-time, meaning that if there is any delay in processing, the results may be inaccurate or incorrect. In the gas pump example, a processing delay could cause incorrect measurement of the gas pumped. In real-time, these systems must handle all types of run conditions and errors that may arise on any of the attached devices. Creating and running test scenarios is one of the challenges in this type of project.

Over the past six years we have developed and implemented a real-time process control system for a scientific instrument maker. The instrument is a liquid chromatograph, used for chemical analysis and the separation of compounds into individual components. IA's role was to provide the centralized process control software that governs all the subsystems and functions of the machine.

The embedded system utilizes a Celeron processor running a slimmed down version of Linux. Subsystems controlled in real-time include a spectrometer, fluid pumps, and fraction collector. The process logic is written in C and the system uses an Apache web server for the web interface.

We created the first web interface in the industry for this type of instrument. With this system, users log into the chromatograph over an IP network using a PC and web browser. A Compaq iPAQ handheld computer can also control the instrument. all control functions, run-time displays, and run results can be accessed through a Windows-type Graphical User Interface (GUI) from either the web browser on the PC or the iPAQ. Both interfaces can be used simultaneously. Results from any and all runs can be saved for later viewing in Word, RTF, PDF, or text format. The iPAQ interface is written in VB.net. The PC interface utilizes an activeX control written in VB.

We are currently on the 4th release of the software. This instrument has been a successful product for our client. IA has provided all the software development and continues to provide ongoing development and support.