GE Intelligent Platforms (www.ge-ip.com) has unveiled its latest control and computing platform that is set to revolutionize the way automation is done. Specifically designed to meet the needs of the Industrial Internet, the PACSystems RXi features a PROFINET-based distributed architecture, which seamlessly combines high performance control of distributed I/O with redundant I/O networking.

“The platform’s PROFINET-based distributed architecture offers the best combination of high performance control with distributed I/O for lower installation and maintenance costs coupled with redundant I/O networking for high reliability,” said Steve Pavlosky, Product General Manager for GE Intelligent Platforms’ Control & Communication Systems.

Dubbed as the next evolution of PAC controllers, the RXi platform “supports several trends in the industry including control sustainability, standards based open architectures, computing and control at the machine level, and integration into the Industrial Internet” while providing a full complement of high speed interfaces, with USB 3.0 ports and multiple gigabit Ethernet. Together with the company’s PACSystems control engine, these features enable RXi to deliver unrivalled application flexibility and uncompromised performance.

The RXi controller features a distinct and innovative design that departs from traditional systems. The absence of a local I/O allows users to upgrade the system in the future while its integrated PROFINET with ring redundancy offers low installation cost, simple to use yet high performing redundant I/O network.

“With open standard PROFINET as the I/O network, users are free to choose best of breed I/O and other devices, like drives and vision systems, for use in their systems,” noted Pavlovsky.

Aside from acting as a controller, the RXi platform can also be utilized as a rugged industrial PC, which offers the reliability of a PC and the flexibility of an IPC for factory-floor computing.