Industrial PCs now have Intel Core 2 Duo processors

With a 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor and an Intel 945GM Express chipset, the Simatic Box PC 627B and Panel PC 677B offer 75 per cent more computing power than the previous models, and the Intel GMA 950 Graphics Media Accelerator delivers high-speed graphics. The specifications of both devices are scalable, with main memory expansion up to 4GB, hard disk drives up to 160GB, and optical drives. For high system availability and data security, there is a vibration-suppressed double-hard-disk module as an optional RAID1 mirror disk system, supported by an onboard RAID controller. For low-maintenance, fault-tolerant applications and for operating without a hard disk, the Box and Panel PCs offer two drive slots for accommodating Compact Flash Cards - one of which is externally accessible.

Powerful expansion cards for, say, image processing applications can be integrated via two PCI interfaces or, optionally, one PCI and one PCI express x4 interface. Two freely programmable seven-segment displays and two LEDs are integrated for displaying the Bios power-up and for fast diagnostics of the operating status, even within software applications.

Communications options

The devices also have 10/100/1000 megabit/second Ethernet connections with teaming capability, an optional onboard Profibus interface, one DVI-I interface, four high-speed USB-2.0 ports and one 24V DC or 120/230V AC power supply. With an optional remote kit, the operating unit can be installed up to 30m from the PC. Battery-backed SRAM (128KB) secures the WinAC control data against power failure.

Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional MUI or Windows XP Embedded are available as the operating system, as well as an HMI package combining the Panel PC 677B with the Simatic WinCC or WinCC flexible HMI software.