HVAC Control in the New Millennium.pdf - HVAC.Amickracing

HVAC Control in the New Millenniumpreemptive, multitasking environment, in protected memory spaces. CEis compact and can be contained in less than 200K of ROM. WindowsCE’s Win32 API has about half of the interface methods of the WindowsNT version of the API.The CE API allows application notification events (timer events) atthe OS level, rather than in a running application. CE supports touchsensitivedisplays. The Windows graphic interface in CE makes it particularlyuseful in devices that need a standard Windows interface.Windows CE and NT address different applications. CE offers asimpler multitasking model than NT while NT offers more powerfulcommunications functions. Windows CE was designed as a modular OS,so it can be adapted to many different applications such as control,monitoring and data collection. Built-in communication features include:secure Internet, wireless communication interfaces and extendibledevice capabilities (Figure 5-2).Windows CE is a useful platform for operator interface and control.Mobile data collection device manufacturers are using Windows-CE-based products. Windows CE is also well-suited for open PLC/controllers,intelligent field devices and instrumentation, utility monitors,VFDs, smart motor controllers, quality auditors and building maintenance.Much of the functionality in the new hand-held devices will be dueto the human-interface characteristics of the universal Windows environment.This functionality will be migrating to other applications asWindows CE finds its way into more and more embedded designs suchas Web TV and home-control products.Low cost and functionality have been among the main features ofthe PC and portable designs have followed that trend. As industriesrequire more users to be mobile and use portable gear more, the need toprovide more employees with portable units will help to drive downcosts.The increased expectations of users as they apply these productivity-improvingtools to everyday problems will demand an increase infunctionality. Users will not want to give up much of the power anddiversity of the desktop as seen by the huge growth in notebook-PCcapabilities.The trend is moving toward the use of knowledge workers. Theseare employees that are expected to manage information from a varietyof sources, turn that information into usable knowledge, and apply that©2001 by The Fairmont Press, Inc. All rights reserved.