hmi white paper

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By ARC Advisory Group

ARC WHITE PAPER

FEBRUARY2009

GOT HMI?

How Mitsubishi Electrics Visualization Solutions

Increase Productivity and Profitability

Executive Overview .................................................................... 3

HMI Platform Market Drivers ........................................................ 4

Emerging Trends in HMI Platforms ................................................ 8

Mitsubishi Electrics GOT HMI Platform .......................................... 10

History of Mitsubishi Graphic Operation Terminal ........................... 15

Solutions Provided with the GOT HMI ........................................... 18

The Future of the GOT HMI Platform ............................................. 21

Summary and Conclusions .......................................................... 25

THOUGHTLEADERS FORMANUFACTURING& SUPPLYCHAIN


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ARC White Paper February 2009

2 Copyright ARC Advisory Group ARCweb.com


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HMI Platform Market Drivers

One of the key market drivers for HMI plat-forms is their use to visualize key metrics andKPIs such as OEE and energy savings thathelps manufacturers, processors, and OEMusers quantify the benefits of their automationinvestments. These users are all too aware ofglobal competition and escalating energy costs,as well as the need for automation equipmentthat not only can lead to more cost effectiveflexible production, but also reduce the green-house effect and play a part in meeting

emission targets. These users, however, mustgo through a business justification process toreplace existing equipment that is less efficient,

and provide clear metrics regarding the return on investment (ROI) andreturn on assets (ROA) of each purchase. To this end, these users requirequantifiable figures to form a clear view of the benefits derived from up-grading their automation solutions, and are using HMI platforms as thedigital dashboard to visualize these metrics.

Minimizing Total Cost of Ownership

Minimizing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the manufacturers, pro-cessors, and OEM users is achievable by using HMI platforms that aredesigned for open systems interoperability to achieve rapid implementa-tion. Interoperable HMI platforms allow for subsequent changes thatoptimize processes and provide development tools for integration of com-ponents and systems. The ease of achieving this integration is vital toproviding the lowest possible TCO. Another primary factor in loweringTCO is providing a platform that requires little to no maintenance by elimi-nating mechanical products such as fans and hard drives that can fail intime. These devices are typically found in non-industrially hardened de-vices such as laptop computers, but are eliminated from HMI platformswherever possible.

Initial Design & Development Flexibility in manufacturing operations continues to drive automation solu-tions such as HMI platforms into leveraging easy to use integration devices

HMI Platforms Visualize Key Metrics and KPIs


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Copyright ARC Advisory Group ARCweb.com 5

Today, HMI platforms have become aprimary building block for factory

automation systems in conjunction withthe PAC/PLC in manufacturing plants.

where the impetus is to lower the initial design and engineering effort formanufacturers, processors, and OEM users. Many automation configura-tions typically require frequent changes after installation, as more processissues surface over time. If the HMI platform is installed using an open,interoperable, standardized approach, making subsequent changes after

initial design and development could be madewith ease and minimal cost. Users now associateHMI platforms with providing the benefits ofinteroperable components and systems for easyintegration as they yearn for lower initial design

and development costs. Users are establishing criteria in which they canevaluate automation solutions such as HMI platforms based on the abilityto lower their initial design and development costs without compromisingmanufacturing performance and reliability.

The emerging need for HMI PlatformsToday, HMI platforms have become a primary building block for factoryautomation systems in conjunction with the PAC/PLC in manufacturingplants. However, the emerging need for the HMI platform is to be utilizedas more than just an operator interface window into the application, but asan e-business enabler and an enterprise integration tool. The sensor-to-boardroom demands of e-business require seamless integration of automa-tion and other key enterprise applications. As the trend toward opensystems in the automation and enterprise markets continue to unfold, theHMI platform emerges as a single device to support a wide range of appli-cations. At the low end of the market, characterized by small, fullyintegrated, low cost products, HMI platforms can now form the basis of anembedded control product for a wide range of OEM product application.At the high end of the market, characterized by manufacturing processesintegrated to global operations, HMI platforms provide data and informa-tion visibility into both the plant floor as well as the enterprise as a whole.

Saving Wiring & Space while Easing Design & Modification

HMI platforms function as a connectivity hub in the manufacturing enter-prise capable of integrating, for example, plant floor machinery productioncontrol systems with production planning systems. HMI platforms haveprogressively displaced conventional operator input devices and displayelements such as hardwired push buttons, lights and LED numerical dis-plays over the past 15 years, which provides substantial savings in wiring,costs, and space. Displacement of hardwired panels and pushbuttons is


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driven by the tremendous cost efficiency of graphical display devices andcommercial software technology. The ease of the design and the flexibilityafforded by the simplified modification software programs are also drivingthe market toward scalable HMI platforms in lieu of the multitude of pa-nels and pushbuttons.

Highly Reliable Hardware and Software

With a continuously lowering component costs and improved designs, pro-cessors and software controlled systems such as HMI platforms offercompact designs, flexible handling, rich features and competitive costs,along with long mean times between failures (MTBF) based on the selectionof hardware components that are typically measured in years of continuousoperation. Hardware reliability is achieved by eliminating physical faults

by performing extensive burn-in testing, and should not

become an issue until the components reach the end oftheir designed life.

Software reliability is measured differently however, as itis not a direct function of time. Software reliability isachieved by eliminating design faults and performingextensive functionality testing and debugging. Softwarereliability does not diminish with time as hardware does,even as it is approaching obsolescence, however, softwarereliability can be affected each time an upgrade is made.

This has been an argument that bodes well for the HMIplatform, as the embedded software has been included as part of the exten-sive functionality and burn-in testing prior to delivery to the user, and theHMI platform is not subject to continuous software upgrades that couldnegatively impact reliability.

Dedicated Embedded Real-time OSOperating systems for HMI platforms will evolve over the coming years aseven the most compact of real time operating systems provide layers ofservice that support web pages and complex graphical user interfaces. Em-

bedded devices using, for example, VxWorks offer OPC server compliance,as this implementation enables embedded devices to exchange informationwith Windows-based host systems. Language independence of VxWorksimplementations, for example, provides manufacturers, processors, andOEM users the flexibility to, if they choose, write PC-based host applica-tions in Java, Visual Basic, C++, or in any other Active X-compatible


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A key reason that HMI platforms aregrowing in popularity is their ability to lower

maintenance time and expense formanufacturers, processors, and OEM users.

language. Industrial automation applications on a PC are able to interactwith distributed objects on a VxWorks-based target.

As automation components continue to employ increasingly more intelli-gence in devices, the need for a real time OS with minimal platformresource requirements is essential. VxWorks scalability facilitates form fit-ting for a specific platform while addressing the industry demand forEthernet connectivity and web enabled devices, which need to exist on aHMI platform with minimal system resources.

Operations Management

Manufacturers, processors, and OEM users are increasing their operationalvisualization information agility by accessing and visualizing real-time in-

formation and applying it to speed up and improve operations integratingbusiness, manufacturing, and production otherwise known as operationsmanagement. This focus is on continuous performance and agility im-provement, visualization and control of production equipment, digitizedmanufacturing operations, and unified and standardized plant IT in-

frastructure. These users are deploying opera-tions management solutions that serve theirbusiness and operations needs and is based onindustry standards, securely managing and stan-dardizing visualization and IT infrastructure

across multiple facilities. This standardization of visualization is a drivingforce in the growth of HMI. These users seek greater IT, engineering time,and cost savings by implementing visualization applications that leveragequicker to deploy graphics capabilities that can be rapidly implementedand managed. These users want to take the pain out of expanding andmanaging disparate systems by transforming their HMI platforms into en-terprise-wide, collaboration tools without disrupting their currentoperations.

Maintenance

A key reason that HMI platforms are growing in popularity is their abilityto lower maintenance time and expense for manufacturers, processors, andOEM users. HMI platforms which support automation and enterprise ap-plications that provide the control room operators with key data andinformation speeds up maintenance operations and reduces interruptionsfor the operators to support maintenance teams. These HMI platforms pro-


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vide maintenance crews with access to the company's maintenance man-agement system at either the control room level or directly at the machinelevel. Some HMI platforms are configured specifically to incorporate HMI,configuration procedures, programming languages, and maintenance pro-cedures. This provides the user with a common interface, and allows theuser to achieve the operational benefits of integration transparently be-tween each domain.

Information Transcends all Production Requirements

Manufacturers, processors, and OEM users are also placing a higher valueon visualization of the information provided by the asset, rather than theasset itself, as information is transcending all production requirements.That leads to challenges, which lie with choosing what HMI platform to

adopt that will keep these users globally competitive. This has created astrong focus on what to do with data provided by assets and how data getsconverted into the information needed to manage their business. HMI plat-forms are playing a key role in the way an assets information is viewedand analyzed. HMI platforms is enabling the proliferation of, for example,asset management and condition monitoring applications, which are im-portant as users look to minimize the lifecycle costs of their capital assets.

Emerging Trends in HMI Platforms

Significant emerging trends and technologies will influence and contributeto the development of future HMI platforms. These factors include the con-

tinued proliferation of Internet-based technol-ogy for distributed infrastructure,collaborative manufacturing architectures thatwill define the exchange of information fromthe embedded device level to enterprise tier

applications, additional wireless HMI plat-form products, the incorporation of HMIplatforms into integrated automation solu-tions, and the need for interoperability acrossall systems and applications. Additionally,the evolving Internet/Intranet-based factoryenvironment, along with libraries of web ser-HMI Platforms Incorporate Vision Along With

Robotics


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visualization pays off very quickly in terms of operational improvement,reduced incidents and accidents, operator turnover, and absenteeism.

Market Conditions Todays turbulent market conditions dictate that manufacturers, processors,and OEM users leverage the use of multi-disciplined products whereverpossible such as HMI platforms that lower TCO by performing multiplefunctionalities on a single system. These difficult market conditions arealso creating more pressure on users to provide digital dashboard tools fo-cused on sustainability and energy savings applications to further cutoperational costs. Automation equipment, including HMI platforms, playan important role in sustainability initiatives as they help satisfy manygreen demands, including the visualization of AC drives, which savessignificant energy. HMI platforms are presently used as digital dashboards

to show KPIs for the entire enterprise, such as Dynamic OEE, throughput ordowntime, and displays information comparing actual performance versustargets. The visualization of metrics designed for sustainability and energysavings is a key driver during periods of economic turbulence.

Mitsubishi Electrics GOT HMI Platform

With processes and quality standards becoming increasingly complex, de-

manding, and global, manufacturers, processors, and OEM users arerequiring industrial automation systemsthat are capable of providing much moredetailed information on the controlprocesses for plant and machinery. Mitsu-bishi Electric provides an extensive line ofHMI platforms as their flagship product forthis market.

Launch HMI business with GOT

Mitsubishi Electric has pushed forward the development of its visualizationprogram, realigning the products in this sector with a new concept calledGOT, which is short for Graphic Operation Terminals. This concept is builtaround the GOT1000 series, which provides flexibility, openness and seam-less compatibility with all Mitsubishi Electric automation systems. The GOT


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series HMI platform contains a broad array of functions and touch-screenoperation, providing users with a full-graphics terminal, input via touch-screen and/or conventional keyboard, analog displays of process values,recipe handling functionality, PAC/PLC diagnostics functions, and driversfor all MELSEC PLCs as well as various third-party manufacturers.

The Concept of GOT Development

To meet the increasingly diversified needs of manufacturers, processors,and OEM users, Mitsubishi Electric put on the market a range of new pro-

grammable Graphic Operation Terminals (GOT)under the designation GOT1000 series in July of2004. In the course of developing the GOT1000 se-ries HMI platform, Mitsubishi Electric strengthened

the basic functions and performance in meetinguniversal needs for displays such as being highlyresponsive, with visualization quality that ad-dresses the operator's needs, all in a user-friendlypackage. In addition, to meet a variety of marketneeds, Mitsubishi Electric incorporated new fea-tures into the GOT, including a USB transparentfunction that can be accessed via a USB port pro-vided on the front, a multichannel function, and anadvanced alarm function.

Enhanced Functionality For A Broad Range of Applications

Mitsubishi Electric designed the GOT HMI platform to be compact in sizeand rugged in construction, with a large processing capacity to reduce theCPU workload. The GOT offers multi-language text and graphic support,with numerous options for complex installations. In fitting with the multi-disciplined platform philosophy, the GOT offers a common softwaredevelopment environment, and a host of embedded functions to meet orexceed industry standards.

For Designers Mitsubishi Electric extends the GOT feature set beyond unifying control ona compact, industrially hardened platform, a significant benefit to a widerange of industries where TCO can be reduced by eliminating the engineer-ing work needed to integrate disparate disciplines on the same system.Because the GOT platform is designed based on an open, interoperable,

GOT GT16 Front Mounted USB Port


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For minimizing start-up hours and setupmonitoring, the GOT platform is designedfor a simple cable connection without the

need to open the en-closure cabinet due toits front mounted USB interface.

standardized approach, making subsequent changes after initial design anddevelopment can be made with ease and minimal cost.

For OperatorsSome GOT models offer features such as three-color backlight screens forenhanced data visualization, so flashing screens and different screen colorscan be used based on the type of information being displayed. Color andbacklight switching can be controlled by both the HMI and PAC/PLC. Forexample, a green screen can indicate normal operation during automaticoperation, an orange screen can indicate manual operation during setupchange, and a red screen can indicate an alarm during material shortage.

For Initial Startup & Adjustment OperatorsFor minimizing start-up hours and setup monitoring, the GOT platform isdesigned for a simple cable connection without the need to open the enclo-

sure cabinet due to its front mounted USB inter-face. This enables edit sequence programs, forexample, to be run without having to open thecabinet, which allows program reading, writing,and monitoring to be performed. Project data

can also be maintained from a remote location, with high-speed download-ing and uploading via Ethernet connectivity.

For Maintenance Personnel

The GOT is designed for rapid diagnostics and cause identification to mi-nimize machine downtime, enabling a speedy system recovery. Rapiddetection and corrective action is driven through access to a wide array ofalarms. Easy to understand displays and improved system alarms supportpersonnel in identifying alarm causes. A systems monitor function enablesperforming sequence device monitoring, as well as making changes to set-ting such as timer and counter functions.

From MELSEC HMI to the Standard HMI

The GOT Platform is an an integral part of Mitsubishi Electrics MELSECproduct family, which encompasses a broad spectrum of operating and vi-sualization systems, ranging from simple text-based HMI panels to full-featured industrial PCs. The series include text-based HMI panels, graphi-cal HMI panels, HMI panels with function keys, HMI panels with touchscreens and industrial PCs in a variety of different versions.


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The GOT Platform is based on the embeddedWind River VxWorks real-time operating

system, which is built on open standards anddesigned for tightly integrated run-time

technologies that require 100 percent uptime.

Reliability Aspects of the GOT Platform

Mitsubishi Electrics quality management activities require considerableinvestment to ensure manufacturers, processors, and OEMs top reliability.The evaluation carried out at Mitsubishi Electrics Nagoya Works factory,where the GOT Platform is manufactured, analyzes each unit down to thestructure of its electronic parts. Electronic parts are at the core of the GOTPlatform. Integrated Circuit (IC) devices are subject to reliability evaluationtests that include X-ray testing, electron microscopes, structural observa-tions and environment tests to detect latent defects. Since the electronicparts being evaluated are particularly precise, high precision and speciallydesigned machines are used. This level of quality management is integralto all Mitsubishi Electric products.

A Highly Reliable Dedicated OS, VX Works, Embedded in GOT

The GOT Platform is based on the embedded Wind River VxWorks real-time operating system, which is built on open standards and designed for

tightly integrated run-time technologies thatrequire 100 percent uptime. This real-time ker-nel package is backed by a 25-year track record,and supports POSIX and industry-standardprotocols such as IPv6 and TIPC, ensuring max-imum code portability and interoperability.

VxWorks includes frameworks for file systems, power management, andinterconnect-ivy, as well as comprehensive security capacities that begin at

the core operating system level for absolute application and device security.

Integration of A900 series and F900 series

Part of the GOT Platforms includes the integration of A900 series and F900series touch screen displays. The A900 GOT Series is a complete line ofdisplays with full-sized screens and enhanced maintenance functionality.The F900 GOT is a cost-effective line of touch screen displays that featureswidescreen and hand-held options. Both families offers a wide selection ofdifferent displays ranging from monochrome EL version all the way up to256 color TFT and LCD displays. In addition, quality graphical objects andbitmaps can be combined with libraries that exist to offer a wide variety ofdevices, images and animation effects.

Connectivity with Third Party PACs, PLCs, & Motion Controllers

Manufacturers, processors, and OEMs require HMI connectivity to a


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variety of PACs, PLCs, and motion control devices, regardless of themanufacturer. The GOT Platform offers two primary methods of providing

this connectivity. First, the multiple driver capability of the GOT Platform allows anyunit to leverage device specific drivers.Also, each GOT Platform can be connectedto other devices connected via CC-Link IE,which is a high performance industrialEthernet based controller network.

Total Solutions

Mitsubishi Electrics strategy is to establishhardware leadership while partnering for

software solutions. The GOT HMI Platform plays a key role in Mitsubishi

Electrics e-F@ctory concept as well as their iQ Automation multi-disciplined PAC Platform, which when complemented with a highperformance, open industrial network such as CC-Link IE is designed toprovide total automation and enterprise solutions to manufacturers,processor, and OEMs.

e-F@ctory Mitsubishi Electrics e-F@ctory concept for manufacturing systems pro-vides the necessary focused link between control systems and other appli-cations, most commonly MES. The benefits of this approach cover a range

of IT and manufacturing performance issues. Some of the benefits are aresult of using a well chosen integration platform for sharing data andenabling interoperability among applications. Other benefits are specific tothe functions and features of e-F@ctory that facilitate this integration.

iQ PlatformThe iQ Automation PAC Platform incorporates multiple domains of controlon a single platform: process, logic, and motion. The iQ Automation Plat-form is a core component of Mitsubishi Electrics eF@ctory architecture thatis specifically designed to information enable a manufacturers produc-

tion facility. While iQ Automation is designed with high performance,multi-dimensional control applications in mind, it also serves the broaderrequirements of production operations.

GOT Facilitates Connectivity to a Variety of Devices


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History of Mitsubishi Graphic OperationTerminal

The worldwide HMI Platform market continues tobecome more competitive. The focus of the HMIPlatform business is changing from providing com-ponents to providing solutions. An increaseddemand at the OEM level, growing demand fortouch-screens and flat panel displays, and increas-ing requirements for Internet and Ethernetcapabilities, are primary factors driving growth inthe HMI Platform market. Mitsubishi Electric hasbeen a leader in providing HMI Platforms to this

market since 1992.

The Birth of Mitsubishi HMI for MELSEC, A77/A64 series

The origins of Mitsubishi Electric in the HMI Platform business begins in1992 with the birth of the first MELSEC graphic operation terminals (GOT)known as the A64 series and the A77 series. These HMI Platforms weredesigned to be compatible with Mitsubishi Electrics MELSEC family ofPLCs and offered features such as ladder monitoring and a direct bus con-nection with the MELSEC family. These products were well received in the

marketplace and built a solid foundation for future platform development.

Standard HMI, A800 series

The next major release of an HMI Platform for Mitsubishi Electric was thefirst full-fledged GOT series, the A800, in 1995. These were Mitsubishi Elec-trics first products that leveraged Microsoft Windows compatible softwareand offered a PLC free function. The A800 Series featured models such asthe A850 that offered touch screens ranging from 320 x 240 resolution with300 definable touch areas, available in either a backlit LCD or 8-color dis-play, to the A870 that offered touch screens ranging from 640 x 480resolution, available in either backlit monochrome, 8 color STN or 16 colorTFT. Users had the option of viewing the PLC program and monitoring theladder diagram. The functionality of offering high speed ladder monitor-ing based on a 32bit RISC CPU, a multi-language display utilizing a

Pendant GOT in Action


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Mitsubishi Electrics vision for their topline HMI would be a platform that has

evolved from purely a MELSEC HMI to ageneral-purpose HMI Platform.

Unicode font, and Windows software was considered leading edge tech-nology at that time.

Higher performance, A900/F900 series

Evolving from the A800 series, Mitsubishi Electric introduced its next fami-ly of HMI Platforms, driven by the market need for higher performance andfunctionality, the A900 Series and F900 Series in 1998. The major changes tothese platforms was the introduction of thinner , smaller platform packages,much higher and faster response speeds, animation and video/RGB functions,and a full line-up for every display size. The A900/F900 Series utilized a newhigh speed 32bit RISC chip and a display capable of handling 256 colors,along with enhanced recipe functionality. Today, the A900/F900 Series hasbeen integrated and are offered with color or monochrome displays (STN &

TFT), 2.6 to 12.1 inch screen sizes, panel mount or handheld installations,and support connection to Mitsubishi Electrics sequence controllers, thirdparty controller brands, and to other products including motion controllers,barcode readers and printers.

Highest Performance GOT, GOT1000 series

Mitsubishi Electrics vision for their top line HMI would be a platform thathas evolved from purely a MELSEC HMI to a general-purpose HMI Plat-form. These platforms are designed for both machine and enterprise level

visualization. The platform would have enhancedconnectivity to third party PACs and PLCs, andoffer superior performance and functionality re-gardless of connected PAC or PLC type. The newplatform would also drive the integration of Mit-

subishi Electrics own A and F series models. Mitsubishi Electrics visioncame to fruition in June 2004.

The GOT1000 series comes in three different versions. The entry level GT10Series GOT is the smallest and most compact GOT terminal in the lineupand is designed for small standalone applications. The GT10 monochromeSTN displays range from 3.5 inch to 4.5 inch in size, with integrated serialports for programming and communications, and offer programmable mul-ticolor backlit LCDs in green, red and orange or red, white and pink colorbacklight, and a wide range of fonts and graphics support.


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The mid level GT11 Series GOT provides basic HMI functionality and isdesigned for standalone applications. The GT11 comes in either a 5.7 inchmonochrome STN, color TFT, or color STN display, in either panel mountor pendent configurations, with integrated serial ports for programmingand communications. The GT11 offers front mounted USB ports in panelmodels and is also available in transparent mode.

The top level GT15 Series GOT provides advanced HMI functionality and isdesigned for applications requiring networking and high performance. TheGT15 is available with dual processors, and comes in either a color or mo-nochrome TFT or STN display ranging from 5.7 inch to 15 inch in size,along with integrated serial ports and communications option slots as wellas expandable memory. The GT15 offers a front mounted USB port andtransparent mode functionality, and is suitable for preventative mainten-

ance applications.

The Newest GOT, the GT16 model

The GT16 Series concept is Mitsubishi Electrics 4th generation Graphic Op-eration Terminal (GOT) HMI Platform, which offers a comprehensivemultimedia HMI Package in an All-in-One model that includes integratedvideo and sound. The platform provides enhance functionality to rivalboth traditional PCs as well as other competitive HMI platforms. GT16 Se-

ries offers a host of flexible third party

connections and numerous maintenancefunctions. The GT16 common hardwarefeatures includes an enhanced CPU andgraphics engine, integrated communica-tion ports and power supply, RS422/485

and Ethernet connectivity, front mounted USB port and USB host/device,compact flash slots, and built-in 15MB flash memory. The platform is com-pact in construction and offers high quality display technology with 65,000colors, an operating system that is upgradable, and a real time clock.

The GT16 Series multimedia capability transform applications from still im-ages to the era of motion images by enabling video input support across alarge range of terminals ranging from 8.4 to 15 inch displays, with videocapture and store, a monitor display / RGB input, and a sound output in-terface. A key feature is the real time video playback and recordfunctionality, where the user can play GT16 recordings or MPEG4 file types


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The GOT platform will provide solutions asa key component of the infrastructure

required for the exchange and transfer ofplant floor data and information between

manufacturing and the enterprise.

from the terminal, record events up to 120 seconds before and after thecondition being monitored, and save files to a remote server.

Solutions Provided with the GOT HMI

The GOT HMI Platform is being deployed to provide a wide number of so-lutions for manufacturers, processors, and OEMs who seeks solutions forcollaborative manufacturing, visualization, and interoperability across amultitude of systems and applications. The GOT platform will provide so-lutions as a key component of the infrastructure required for the exchangeand transfer of plant floor data and information between manufacturingand the enterprise.

Create the Value of Time

There are many examples of how the GOT Platform saves its users signifi-cant time, specifically the reduction of downtime and engineeringdevelopment time and effort for user creation, which may be the most va-lued commodities for the manufacturer, processor, or OEM. As one

example, the software development environmentmakes it easy to navigate and configure objectswith direct and indirect access to functions andobject properties, thereby helping the user to sig-nificantly reduce development time. Another time

saver is the GOTs ability to execute auxiliary control statements or scriptswithout the PAC or PLC programs execution, thus saving PAC or PLCmemory and/or provides a level of functionality not present or easily de-veloped in the PAC or PLC.

Quick Troubleshooting

The GOT Platform has a pallet of 65,536 colors and supports numerous filetype including JPEG, BMP, DXF and IGES file formats, making it possiblefor the user to easily create and display highly effective troubleshootingscreens by making use of images from drawings, schematics or other im-agery taken with a digital camera, which significantly speeds up thetroubleshooting process. Also the large amount of memory that is standard


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The GOT Platform has the capability todisplay any type of document with the

document display function.

on the GOT Platform makes it possible to use plenty of image data that isindispensable for displaying effective troubleshooting screens.

Document Display and Ladder Monitor Function

The GOT Platform has the capability to display any type of document withthe document display function. This feature allows user the ability to createand display detailed documentation (machine instructions, work orders,etc. directly on the HMI without additional software or licenses. The one-

touch ladder monitor jump function is a uniquefeature that will display the correspondingladder blocks within the multiple programs thatare contained in the PACs and PLCs. This

unique feature can be performed not only on the PACs and PLCs directlyconnected to the GOT Platform, but also the PACs and PLC connected tothe network. Users gain instant access to device values, along with timerand counter set values which can be changed on the fly while viewing realtime logic operations. .

Quick Detection of the Cause of the Problem

One key driver of HMI solutions is to help users investigate problems causeat the production site. For example, when an error is detected, the HMIPlatform can search for and display the problem cause, especially when anoperation halts due to unknown reasons at an unknown location. Theproblem cause can be quickly found, providing that the HMI Platform isequipped with powerful tracing operations. Mitsubishi Electric hasequipped the GOT with these diagnostic tracing functionalities.

Operator Authentication Function & Operator Log Function

The GOT Platform is used to quickly detect the cause of the manufacturers,processors, or OEMs problems to minimize production loss due tounexpected product failures. For example, the operator authenticationfunction enables users to define password access down to the individualoperator. This level of password support enables tighter machinesecurity and integrity. In combination with the operator authenticationfunction, the operation log function enables users to identify the problemcause in detail, such as who performed which operation such as keyoperation or data input, and what data was specifically entered.


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Visualize the Information of Various Automation Devices

A primary function of the GOT Platform is to collect and organize informa-tion from various automation devices to display on a single screen for quickreference in either a stand-alone or network environment. The GOT1000

series has an expanded range of connectable devices, permitting connectionto both Mitsubishi Electric and other brand major brands of PACs andPLCs. Connection with Mitsubishi Electric servo amplifiers, temperaturecontrollers, inverters and CNCs is also part of this range of devices.

MES Interface Function

A Manufacturing Execution System (MES)controls and manages the production processesin order to optimize quality, productivity,

delivery date and cost. The GOT Platform isdesigned to support this database linkage andtransmit data from the connected automationdevices to the server personal computer databasevia SQL statements. This saves the user from therequirement of using a gateway personalcomputer and complicated programs tocommunicate with the MES database server.

Keep Users System Safe in Case of aPAC/PLC Failure

Failure of a PAC or PLC can have tremendous consequences for the manu-facturer, processor, or OEM, resulting in lost product, time, and profits, ormore importantly, safety issues for workers. This makes it critical that in-formation such as sequence programs, parameters, comments, and fileregisters can be read and stored via a backup function, then can easily bewritten to a new PAC or PLC via a restore function. Mitsubishi Electricenables this functionality as part of the GOT Platform.

Backup/Restoration Function

The ability to backup sequence programs and be able to provide a restorefunction is critical to keeping systems safe in case of a PAC or PLC failure.Backing up the latest data enables quick system restorations in the event ofproblems caused by battery failures or changes to new programs. This is akey capability of the GOT Platform. In addition to a manual backup

MES Functionality From Plant Floor toBoard Room


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In the future, manufacturers,processors, and OEMs will increasingly

seek HMI platforms that address theneed of providing digital dashboardtools focused on sustainability and

energy savings applications.

function, the GOT Platform can perform automatic backups by the use of atrigger device or by specifying the time and day.

The Future of the GOT HMI PlatformIn the future, manufacturers, processors, and OEMs will increasingly seekHMI platforms that address the need of providing digital dashboard toolsfocused on sustainability and energy savings applications, including the

visualization and control of AC drives. HMI plat-forms are presently used as digital dashboards toshow KPIs for the entire enterprise, such as Dynam-ic OEE, throughput or downtime, and generatereports of actual performance versus targets. Thevisualization of metrics designed for sustainability

and energy savings will be added to the portfolio of Mitsubishi Electric andtheir GOT HMI Platforms of the future.

Also in the future, manufacturers, processors, and OEMs will increasinglyseek HMI platforms that address the needs of remote maintenance, asmanufacturing is continually dispersed to all points around the globe. Thistrend will drive future GOT HMI platforms to also include enhanced re-mote maintenance functionalities that will allow the user to view the GOT

screens remotely from a PC. The future GOT HMI platforms will supportVNC client functionality so its users can apply the GOT as remote PC moni-tor, providing a PC display on the GOT platform.

From Control Panel to Information Device

In the future, Mitsubishi Electrics GOT HMI Platforms will continue toevolve from their roots of being primarily a control panel to their positionas a full-fledged information device. For example, the GOT HMI Platformsused to visualize energy consumption and sustainability metrics will help

manufacturers, processors, and OEMs quantify the benefits of their auto-mation investments to the bottom line. These users require real timeinformation regarding their natural resource consumption, carbon usage, aswell as their sustainability initiatives. The benefits derived from informa-tion-centric HMI Platforms lead to not only more cost effective production,but also reduce the greenhouse effect and play a part in meeting emissiontargets.


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Mitsubishi Electric will continue to addcapabilities to their GOT HMI Platformsthat support on-site work from a widerange of perspectives that range from

operators and maintenance personnel toplant management and IT departments.

Support On-Site Work from Every Perspective

Mitsubishi Electric will continue to add capabilities to their GOT HMI Plat-forms that support on-site work from a wide range of perspectives thatrange from operators and maintenance personnel to plant management and

IT departments. This is part of Mitsubishi Electrics Advanced Mainten-ance initiatives with GOT to better monitor systems, ladder code, lists,networks, motion controllers, servos, intelligent units and CNCs. Theseinitiatives also address better performing preventative maintenance, goingbeyond just the users ability to monitor and set notifications for backlight

run time, display run time, touch key operations,and alerting maintenance personnel that serviceis approaching or is necessary.

System monitoring will expand from displaying

four monitor windows for either individual de-vices and/or a batch of devices, enabling changeor modification of devices, forcing bit conditions

or change device values, and viewing other stations when connected on anetwork. Ladder monitoring will grow from just direct access to MELSECCPUs, enabling easy views of logic, documentation, statements, notes anddevice comments stored in CPUs, capable of monitoring / troubleshootingprograms without a PC or peripheral device. List monitoring will gobeyond edit ing MELSEC series sequence programs in instruction list formatand monitoring logic offline and online without a PC, and viewing bothlogic and logic editor using a single screen. Network monitoring will broa-den from just Mitsubishi Electric control level networks viewed directlyfrom the terminal and monitoring entire networks from a centralized loca-tion without a PC.

Motion monitoring will encompass more than just access to three Mitsubi-shi Electric motion CPUs to view amplifier status, position data, parametersettings, error lists, real and virtual mode data, and system configurationand layout. Servo monitoring will go beyond just direct MELSERVO con-

nection for access to alarm data, position data, parameters, I/O, setup,debug and test servo amps for stand-alone and multi-drop systems. Net-work unit monitoring will be more than just direct access to intelligent andspecialty modules, viewing module and I/O status, CPU status, serialnumbers, error codes, and module information. Finally, CNC monitoringwill go beyond just a Front end solution for a CNC system, providingdirect access to MELDAS systems and viewing position data, coordinates


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and variables, alarms and diagnosis, axis info, tool offsets, programs andparameters, CNC control logic (MELDAS APLC), and MNET and Ethernetconnections.

Expansion of the Line-up

As the worldwide HMI Platform market continues to rapidly evolve andchange, Mitsubishi Electric will expandtheir GOT HMI Platforms to meet themanufacturers, processors, and OEMs de-mands for adopting solutions that makethem more globally competitive. Theproduct lifecycle of the HMI Platform isshrinking fast, as their users demand that

HMI Platform suppliers such as MitsubishiElectric leverage the latest in functionali-ties and technologies. Mitsubishi Electricwill expand their GOT Platform line-upfaster over the next five years than theydid over the previous 16 years.

Future GT16 Models Future GT16 models will offer even more powerful multimedia HMI

Packages with further enhanced video and sound. The future platform willblur the functionality found in traditional PCs as well as other competitiveHMI platforms. There will be a continued expansion of third partyconnections, and further addition of unique maintenance functions. FutureGT16 common hardware features will include greatly enhanced CPUs andgraphics engines and additional built-in flash memory. The platform willbe even more compact in construction and leverage the higher qualitydisplay technologies available. Future GT16 models will offer multimediacapability that will further transform motion images by enabling videoinput support across an even wider range of terminals.

GT10 Model Larger Sizes

Future GT10 models will grow to include the GT1040 and GT1050. TheGT1040 will come in a new 4.7 inch, 320 x 240 dot screen size with a brightSTN backlight, in either a 256 color model or a 2 color white & blue model.The GT1050 will incorporate GT10 functionality with a GT11 size 5.7 inch,320 x 240 dot screen size with a bright STN backlight, in either a 256 color

GOT GT16 HMI Platform


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ARC has developed a concept called Ergonometrics, where increased

ergonomics leads to increased KPI andmetric results for manufacturers,

processors, and OEMs.

model or 2 color white & blue model. The mid level GT11 Series GOT willalso have its basic HMI functionality enhanced and will be designed foradditional standalone applications. The future GT11 will come with eitherenhanced 5.7 inch monochrome STN, color TFT, or color STN displays, ineither panel mount or pendent configurations, with additional integratedserial ports for programming and communications. The future GT11 willoffer additional front mounted USB ports in panel models as well asavailability in transparent mode.

New GT Designer3

A key component of Mitsubishi Electrics MELSOFT GT Works SoftwareSuite is their GT Designer 2 Configuration Software HMI developmentpackage. The next version, GT Designer 3, will have even more intuitiveconfiguration wizards and toolboxes, with modern navigation windows

containing a workspace area that will displaybeyond all the common GOT settings, a propertysheet area for even more detailed object attributes,library and image areas for displaying additionalobjects/images and parts, and a data view area for

detailing all objects/figures in a project window. The GT Designer 3software will offer superior documentation and project back-up, supportproject transfer via serial, USB, flash, or Ethernet, and have a largerstandard graphical library available for push buttons, lamps, meters,valves, ISO shapes etc.

Improving the Convenience and Ergonomics

ARC has developed a concept called Ergonometrics, where increased er-gonomics leads to increased KPI and metric results for manufacturers,processors, and OEMs. Mitsubishi Electric is committed to the Ergonome-trics concept, recognizing the their GOT HMI Platforms ergonomics anddesign has an impact on their users operational performance, as well-designed HMI screens enable operators to be more effective. HMI displaysneed to be easily viewed. Live video and other external applications needto be integrated with the displays, resulting in control rooms with synchro-nized data, all features of the GOT HMI Platform.


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From ARCs perspective, the GOT

Platform presents Mitsubishi Electric witha tremendous opportunity to ride thetrend of HMI devices changing from

standalone components to a platform thatsolves problems and provides solutions.

Summary and Conclusions

Mitsubishi Electric has a full and very globally competitive HMI offeringwith their GOT1000 Platform. Mitsubishi Electric is positioning the plat-form as a high performance, flexible, compact and robust package withfeatures such as a high processing capacity to reduce CPU workload, itsmulti-language text and graphic support capabilities, its numerous optionsfor complex installations, a common software development environment,and its extensive embedded functions as competitive differentiators. Bene-fits emphasized by the GOT1000 HMI Platform to its served market ofmanufacturers, processors, and OEMs include minimized installation foot-print and maintenance costs; reduced machine complexity; and

consolidation of numerous HMI platforms, confi-

gurations and inventory.

Mitsubishi Electric is also emphasizing the GOTPlatforms ability to convey information easily to itsusers with various skill levels thru text messages,graphics and icons; how the use of an information

centric HMI platform results in an increase in machine productivity, effi-ciency and output; and how minimizing resources and scan times improvesCPU performance. Mitsubishi Electric will competitively position theirGOT HMI Platform based on capabilities such as additional onboard

project memory, faster screen refresh rates and response, reducing PACand PLC CPU applications and memory requirements, better viewing an-gles and visibility, functions such as transparent mode, alarm and recipemanagement, and its maintenance and debug capabilities

From ARCs perspective, the GOT Platform presents Mitsubishi Electricwith a tremendous opportunity to ride the trend of HMI devices changingfrom standalone components to a platform that solves problems and pro-vides solutions. Mitsubishi Electric must emphasis to the manufacturers,processors, and OEMs that the GOT HMI Platform has unique and differen-

tiated features that will enable its users to meet their increasing demandsfor high performance, ease of use, and lower total cost of ownership. Mit-subishi Electric must also position the GOT HMI Platform as a solution thathelps users manage their manufacturing operations and react to the de-mands of global competition by integration of the platform with otherenterprise applications, evolving from a standalone application specificplatform to a key component of an automation solutions portfolio.


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Analyst: Craig ResnickEditor: Paul Miller

Acronym Reference: For a complete list of industry acronyms, refer to ourweb page at www.arcweb.com/Research/IndustryTerms/

BMP BitmapCNC Computer Numerical ControlDXF Drawing Exchange FormatGOT Graphic Operation Terminal HMI Human Machine InterfaceIC Integrated Circuit IGES Initial Graphics Exchange

SpecificationIPV6 Internet Protocol Version 6 ISO International Organization for

Standardization

JPEG Joint Photographic Experts GroupKPI Key Performance IndicatorLCD Liquid Crystal DisplayLED Light Emitting DiodeOEE Overall Equipment EffectivenessOEM Original Equipment ManufacturerMES Manufacturing Execution SystemMPEG Moving Picture Experts GroupMTBF Mean Time Between Failure

PAC Programmable AutomationController

PLC Programmable Logic ControllerPOSIX Portable Operating System

InterfaceRGB Red Green BlueRISC Reduced Instruction Set

ComputingROA Return on Assets ROI Return on InvestmentSCADA Supervisory Control and Data

AcquisitionSQL Structured Query LanguageSTN Super Twisted NematicTCO Total Cost of OwnershipTFT Thin-Film TransistorTIPC Transparent Inter-Process

CommunicationUSB Universal Serial BusVNC Virtual Network Computing

Founded in 1986, ARC Advisory Group has grown to become the ThoughtLeader in Manufacturing and Supply Chain solutions. For even your mostcomplex business issues, our analysts have the expert industry knowledge andfirsthand experience to help you find the best answer. We focus on simple,yet critical goals: improving your return on assets, operational performance,total cost of ownership, project time-to-benefit, and shareholder value.

All information in this report is proprietary to and copyrighted by ARC. No partof it may be reproduced without prior permission from ARC. This research hasbeen sponsored in part by Mitsubishi Electric. However, the opinions ex-pressed by ARC in this paper are based on ARC's independent analysis.

You can take advantage of ARC's extensive ongoing research plus experienceof our staff members through our Advisory Services. ARCs Advisory Services

are specifically designed for executives responsible for developing strategiesand directions for their organizations. For membership information, pleasecall, fax, or write to:

ARC Advisory Group, Three Allied Drive, Dedham, MA 02026 USATel: 781-471-1000, Fax: 781-471-1100, Email: [email protected]

Visit our web pages at www.arcweb.com


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