Instrumentel Diagnostic Hub (Reader, Interrogator)
The Instrumentel Diagnostic Hub provides power and data to the embedded ICT tag is usually refered to as a reader in RFID systems. In order to satisfy the power delivery and data processing requirements associated with the sensor tags, the Instrumentel reader evolved into a sophisticated electronic system, providing significant processing power. This coupled with the networking capabilities of the device led to many customer requests to sample data using the reader. As ever Instrumentel obliged, allowing the reader to now access digital and analogue data. This facility allows the sampling of data in the broadest sense, but importantly allows data sampling of embedded tags to be synchronised and triggered to and by external signals respectively.
The ability of the reader not only to interface with a range of peripheral devices but to process store and transmit data over many types of network has led to the reader being rebranded as a Diagnostic Hub.
Embedded Processors
The embedded processing capabilities of the Diagnostic Hub are achieved by a 32-bit Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) microprocessor and a Field Programmable Logic Gate Array (FPGA). This mixture of programmable logic gives the Diagnostic Hub a considerable range of processing and interfacing options.
Instrumentel has, and continues to, develop a number of Application Programming Interfaces (API) and Intellectual Property (IP) cores that run on the Diagnostic Hub. These provide solutions for a host of frequently encountered functions required by most applications. Instrumentel is happy to create bespoke API’s and IP cores for specific customer requirements.
The Diagnostic Hub has a storage facility in the form of a micro-SD card, a widely available solid-state memory device. This offers the Diagnostic Hub the facility of removable memory and ability to increase storage capacity as required. Instrumentel offers a host of communication interfaces for the diagnostic hub, the most popular choice being Ethernet or USB. Both of these interfaces offer the facility to connect both power and data (Ethernet using the IEEE standard 802.3af, Power Over Ethernet and USB regulated +5V suppy). The advantage of Ethernet is that once connected correctly the Diagnostic Hub can be accessed via the Internet or network.
The Diagnostic Hub has been designed with expansion in mind, and Instrumentel has developed a number of drop in personality modules to provide additional functionality, such as General Purpose IO, Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HAVC) and Automotive control.
