Cyclone V SoCs power next-generation of C controller for smart factory automation

Altera has announced that Mitsubishi Electric selected its Cyclone V SoCs to power its next-generation of C controller for use in smart factory automation equipment. Cyclone V SoCs provide the C controller greater flexibility while delivering higher performance, increased functionality and enhanced network connectivity when compared to the previous generation's microcontroller-based systems. Mitsubishi Electric C controllers are used in a diverse range of factory automation systems to improve reliability while delivering a cost-effective alternative to industrial PCs. The C controller is a highly flexible controller based on the MELSEC open platform architecture that is capable of executing C and C++ language programs. Altera Cyclone V SoCs equip the MELSEC iQ-R Series C Controller with an entirely new level of programming and system migration flexibility which enables users to customize both the FPGA hardware and the ARMR dual-core Cortex A9 processor integrated in the Cyclone V SoC to meet their system requirements, says the company. Naotake Inoue, senior manager, Controller Development Section, Mitsubishi Electric, said, "Our family of C controllers are able to meet the demands of factory automation equipment by providing excellent reliability, tolerance of harsh environments and long-term supply. Leveraging Altera's Cyclone V SoCs in our MELSEC iQ-R Series C Controller enables us to significantly enhance the controller's capabilities while at the same time providing users an easy migration path from traditional MCU-based industrial controllers." Cyclone V SoCs combine a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 processor with a low-cost, low-power 28 nm FPGA. This highly flexibility combination provides the performance and ecosystem of an applications-class ARM processor with the system management and hardware acceleration capabilities of an FPGA. Cyclone V SoCs enable the C controller to provide both exceptional network connectivity and high-performance processing capabilities that are capable of supporting the large amounts of data being collected and processed in modern-day smart factories. The highly integrated Cyclone V SoC acts as the systems' main CPU and I/O controller, supporting Ethernet, SD and PCIe. The integrated ARM processor can be used for a wide range of functions, from very simple bare-metal applications to high-bandwidth, low-latency real-time operations running the VxWorks operating systems. David Moore, director of Altera's Industrial Business Unit, said, "Industrial IoT is having a significant impact on the evolution of next-generation smart factories, from demanding higher levels of network security and cloud connectivity to increasing system versatility and functionality. SoC FPGAs are significantly more capable to address these demands versus traditional microcontroller-based systems. Mitsubishi Electric is at the forefront of developing and supplying Cyclone V SoC-based solutions like the MELSEC C Controller that support the performance and life-cycle demands of the world's smart factories." Accelerating Intelligent Automation - Altera FPGA and SoC industrial automation solutions enable industrial system designers to reduce costs and time-to-market significantly for factory automation system designs, says the company.