Mr. Müller, how has the platform developed?

Müller: We have sold a four-digit number of devices in less than a year, and the trend is rising - and many customers are still in the evaluation phase. The high level of demand and interest is also reflected in our forum. Over 1500 posts have already been written and discussed here.

The inquiries have come from a wide range of industries and application areas: From saw cut monitoring, as a PLC replacement, for 'predictive maintenance' tasks, as an IoT gateway, as a web browser in control cabinets, for simple control tasks or for fill level monitoring through to inquiries from private users.

What new products will you be presenting at embedded world 2018?

Müller: With 'Revpi Connect', we are adding a second LAN interface to the standard 'Revpi Core', namely an RS485 interface. The module also offers monitoring of the core's function via a watchdog as well as a connection option for communication modules such as Bluetooth, radio modems, M-Bus or GSM or LTE. It is now also possible to connect a UPS and evaluate its status. The Revpi Connect also has freely programmable LEDs. The Revpi Connect is connected to existing expansion modules such as IOs or buses via the 'Pi-Bridge'. These modules can be connected to the left of the Revpi Connect via a jumper.

The newly developed 'Connect-Bridge' connects the Revpi Connect on the right-hand side with other modules such as radio modems or GSM. This plug-in connection provides a power supply, a feedback line, an SPI bus and multiplexed either TX and RX or two GPIOs from the compute module.

A brand new feature is that the devices will also run with Codesys in future, including the associated Industrial Ethernet protocol stacks. We will also be showing the 'Revpi Compact' module, which we had on board for the first time at SPS IPC Drives. Instead of the usual modular design, the new device houses all interfaces in a single housing.

How many products are now available for the platform?

Müller: Our Revolution Pi system has grown rapidly. On the hardware side, in addition to the Revpi Core and the Revpi Core 3, there are now three different digital I/O modules and an analog I/O module with high precision. In addition, twelve different slave protocols are currently available as network modules - including Profibus, Profinet, serial, Ethercat, Ethernet/IP, Powerlink, DMX and the classic fieldbuses. The Revpi also already has Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP on board as master and slave. CAN and M-Bus will soon be available.

Many software products now also run on the devices, thanks to the open Raspberry Pi-based platform. We have paid particular attention to the integration of industrial applications. Soft PLCs such as Logi.Cad3 and Axel as well as Node Red are available. Remote control is also possible via Teamviewer. It is possible to use 'Procon-Web IoT' for visualization and even a Siemens S7 can be connected and read out via Profinet using the 'Revpi7' software interface.

What applications will you be showing in Nuremberg?

Müller: We will be offering a cross-section of possible applications there. For example, visitors can play against a robot that is controlled by a Revpi. We will also be demonstrating the connection of an S7 to our platform. There will also be the opportunity to take a live look at functions such as cloud connection or visualization.