Industrial electronics and systems are central to the evolving needs of modern society. This sector demand advanced capabilities in data collection, communication, processing, energy efficiency, and control of power and motion.
Europe holds globally recognised expertise across many of these industry segments. Our suppliers contribute to this leadership by identifying cutting-edge technological advancements and delivering highly optimised solutions, focused on miniaturisation, efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness, for the following applications:
Industry 4.0 (also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution) refers to the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It represents a shift towards smart factories, where machines, systems, and humans communicate and collaborate in real-time through advanced digital technologies.
Sensors monitor not only every parameter of a production line’s output but also the performance of the production line itself. Machines are instrumented to detect any sign of wear or potential failure to allow for preventative maintenance to be performed thus avoiding costly down time. Latency critical processes require that compute and artificially intelligent data processing move closer to the source of the data where it can be analyzed and interpreted in real time
Drives and Motor Control
Drives and motor control applications are integral to a wide range of industries, contributing to enhanced efficiency, precision, and reliability in motorized systems across industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. FPGAs/MCUs & AISCs enhance these applications by providing real-time processing, customizable control logic, high-speed communication interfaces, and efficient parallel processing capabilities.
PLCs, PACs, and IPCs
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs) and Industrial PCs (IPCs) are key components for managing and automating processes in industrial automation and control systems. With flexible I/O and high-speed data processing, FPGAs/MCUs & AISCs are commonly used for I/O expansion and industrial Ethernet in these control systems.
I/O Modules and Smart Sensors
In the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, I/O modules and smart sensors enable network connectivity, seamless data acquisition, and scalability, all of which help to manage energy consumption and optimization. FPGAs/MCUs & AISCs are commonly used in I/O modules and smart sensors to provide flexibility, high-speed I/O, and low power.
3D, Industrial Printers
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is rapidly evolving in many fields from prototyping and manufacturing to medical equipment. FPGAs/MCUs & AISCs can provide motion control, parallel processing, and high-speed I/O between system components, which enhances the performance, accuracy, and versatility of 3D printing applications.
Machine Vision
Machine vision is at the heart of Industry 4.0, revolutionizing manufacturing with real-time quality control, smart automation, advanced defect detection, and data-driven insights. Cameras, sensors, and thermal imaging seamlessly integrate to deliver cutting-edge machine vision solutions. With support for MIPI, LVDS, SLVS-EC, Ethernet, and PCIe® interfaces, Efinix Titaniuim and TopazFPGAs are ideal for industrial cameras and frame grabbers.
Smart Security
As security challenges grow and technology evolves, smart security and smart traffic cameras are crucial for creating safer and more efficient urban environments. By integrating AI or ML, smart cameras can analyze and process video data as it’s being captured. Efinix’s small form factor FPGAs with low power are optimal for these smart security systems.
Other Key Features of Industry 4.0:
- Internet of Things (IoT): Devices, sensors, and machines are connected to the internet and can exchange data.
- Big Data & Analytics: Real-time data is collected and analysed to optimise processes and predict maintenance needs.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning: Systems can learn from data and make intelligent decisions without human input.
- Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS): Integration of physical processes with digital control systems.
- Cloud Computing: Data and services are accessed and managed remotely over the cloud.
- Autonomous Systems & Robotics: Robots that can perform tasks independently and interact with other systems.
- Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): Enables faster prototyping and on-demand production.
- Augmented Reality (AR): Supports workers with real-time visual guidance and training tools.