Since its inception in 1991, motion control innovator Logosol, Inc., has been providing its industrial automation customers with highly integrated and reliable control components and systems. Now, Rabbit Semiconductor is playing a key role in helping Logosol market a unique new family of products designed to meet the increasing demand for more versatile and feature-packed motion control devices.
Expanding on its traditional offering of fully integrated multi-axis servo boards, Logosol is employing RabbitCore microprocessor core modules to power a variety of cost-effective devices for distributed motion and I/O control.
"Using the Rabbit core modules, we have developed several products that are essentially network master controllers," says Lubo Kostov, CEO of Logosol. "The new architecture of these controllers allows supervisory control of up to 32 intelligent servo, stepper, and I/O nodes over an RS-485 network."
The ability to accommodate a broad range of designs and accomplish multiple tasks were key considerations in Logosol decision to choose Rabbit. "We are very strong in building customized versions of almost any product," says Kostov. "That is why I wanted to have flexibility with these master controllers--and that capability was what we found very attractive about the Rabbit core module. It is specifically tailored to the needs of this product family."
The result has been a migration away from Logosol previous design approach, which was rooted in PC/104 designs and 386/486-based modules, to the company current implementation of Rabbit-based boards and the supporting Dynamic C development software. "With the old modules, we were running DOS, which has certain limitations: The cost is higher, we have to purchase a DOS license with every single unit we ship, and then there is the lack of real-time multitasking capabilities," says Kostov. "This last point was very important because typically you are running several tasks simultaneously. Dynamic C, however, is an excellent platform that gives you all the options, including integrating the environment of developing and debugging."
Logosol designs are uniquely adaptable in their ability to support a multitude of different configurations, depending on customer needs. To build an effective system for motion control or general automation purposes, a master or host module is needed to control many individual devices. Brush-type and brushless motors, servomotors, digital I/O modules, single controllers, and other RS-485 controllers--devices such as these are all "daisy-chained" together and then directed by a master controller that imparts customized command sequences.
"We have developed our master controllers with different configurations and different connectivity options, so the customer is able to program the network and all the different devices for motion control, as well as other devices such as I/O modules and joysticks," says Kostov. "That is why we started using Rabbit--it gives us more flexibility and options. We can ship different configurations that are not available from any other company because they are very specific to what we are doing."
Logosol utilizes all the basic functions of the RabbitCore, as well as the Rabbit 2000 microprocessor advanced math-processing capabilities. "We use all four serial ports, and on certain modules we use some of the numerous I/O," says Kostov. "For applications where we need to do coordinated motion and interpolation, we also use the advanced functions."
Because the concept of distributed control in the motion industry is relatively new, Logosol is blazing new paths with its custom turnkey products that promise rapid application development and a distinct competitive advantage for customers. "Using the RabbitCores and the Dynamic C platform helps us offer products that are very flexible, scaleable, and easy to use," says Kostov. "Our typical development cycle is 2 to 3 months, which is one of the shortest times to market in the industry."
Logosol began shipping the first wave of its Rabbit-equipped master controllers late last year, and Kostov is awaiting client feedback to make any necessary modifications before taking volume orders. "As always, when you switch product lines, it takes some time for the customer to embrace the change and get used to the new platform," he says. "But we already see that these products have very good acceptance with our customers and that they will soon be in volume production."
Currently, the lion share of Logosol customer base is in Silicon Valley, where manufacturers of semiconductor capital equipment reside in close proximity to the company Sunnyvale-based research and production facility. But the RabbitCores diminutive dimensions, rich functionality, and low cost are helping Logosol position its new products for broader market penetration.
"This is a unique product line that is very cost effective and very different from mainstream motion control products," says Kostov. "The compact packaging and comprehensive set of standard features for motion and I/O control--combined with the attractive price,are making our new controllers ideal for a broad range of applications."
Logosol latest plans include the possibility of developing a new motion controller with a Rabbit core module inside, which will provide programmability for single-axis applications. "We definitely see potential for the Rabbit processor and core modules," says Kostov. "The products Rabbit is offering are ideal for embedded systems, and that is what we do."