ASEM HT2150 Industrial Tablet Selection and Troubleshooting

ASEM HT2150 Industrial Tablet Selection and Troubleshooting

In industrial automation sites, human-machine interfaces (HMI) and industrial tablets often face severe challenges such as dust, oil pollution, vibration, high temperature, and uninterrupted operation. Traditional commercial computers or ordinary monitors frequently malfunction in this environment, while dedicated industrial tablets have become key equipment to ensure stable operation of production lines. The ASEM HT2150/SL series, as a fanless, panel mounted industrial tablet, has been widely used in factory automation, process control, data acquisition, and other scenarios due to its sturdy aluminum front panel, IP66 protection level, and flexible expansion capability. This article will delve into the hardware architecture, display selection, power management, communication expansion, and common troubleshooting of this series of products, providing engineers with a practical guide for selection and maintenance.

Product positioning and core architecture

ASEM HT2150/SL is a basic system in the industrial automation product line, which adopts a fanless design. The whole machine relies on an aluminum front panel and a metal shell for passive heat dissipation. This design fundamentally avoids malfunctions caused by fans inhaling dust and oil, while also reducing operating noise, making it ideal for installation on sealed control cabinets or operation panels. The front panel has reached IP66 protection level, which means it can resist dust entry and low-pressure water flow flushing. It can be wiped with a damp cloth during daily cleaning, but direct spraying with a high-pressure water gun should be avoided.

The core computing platform is based on the Intel Celeron J1900 quad core processor, with a clock speed of 2.00 GHz and support for burst to 2.42 GHz. It has 2MB L2 cache, 4 cores and 4 threads, and the processor is directly soldered onto the board, improving its resistance to vibration and impact. The motherboard adopts ASEM 932/A "All in One" design, integrating video controller, memory controller, and various I/O functions, reducing internal connection cables, and further improving system reliability.

In terms of memory, this series offers one SODIMM slot that supports DDR3-1600 memory, with optional capacities of 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB. For operating systems such as Windows 10 IoT Enterprise or Windows 7, it is recommended to configure at least 4GB of memory to ensure the smoothness of HMI software and multitasking. In terms of storage, the board provides mSATA SSD connectors (SATA II 3Gb/s) and is equipped with a CFast slot that supports SATA II interfaces. The CFast slot is located in an externally accessible location for easy on-site replacement or data export. It should be noted that the selection of CFast and mSATA SSDs will affect overall power consumption and startup speed. For applications that require frequent data reading and writing, it is recommended to prioritize the use of industrial grade SSDs.

Display and touch selection: from 6.5 inches to 15.6 inches

ASEM HT2150/SL offers a wide range of display size and resolution options, which engineers can choose based on the opening size and display requirements of the control cabinet panel. All models are equipped with LED backlit LCD TFT display screens and 5-wire resistive touch screens. The touch controller is integrated on the board without the need for additional touch control cards.

Specific selection includes:

6.5 inches: 4:3 ratio, VGA 640 × 480, 16M color, brightness 800 cd/m ², viewing angle 80 °/80 °/70 °/70 °.

8.4 inches: SVGA 800 × 600 256K color, brightness 400 cd/m ², viewing angle 80 °/80 °/80 °.

10.4 inches: SVGA 800 × 600, 16M color, brightness 400 cd/m ²; Or VGA 1024 × 768, 16M color, brightness of 600 cd/m ².

12.1 inches: SVGA 800 × 600, 16M color, brightness 450 cd/m ²; Or VGA 1024 × 768, 16M color, brightness 600 cd/m ²; Or WXGA 1280 × 800, 16M color, brightness 400 cd/m ².

15 inches: VGA 1024 × 768, 16M color, brightness of 500 cd/m ², viewing angle of 85 °/85 °/85 °/85 °.

15.6-inch widescreen: HD 1366 × 768, 16M colors, brightness of 400 cd/m ², viewing angle of 85 °/85 °/80 °/80 °.

High brightness models (such as 6.5-inch 800 cd/m ²) are suitable for use in strong light environments, while wide-angle models facilitate simultaneous observation by multiple people. The touch screen adopts 5-wire resistor technology and supports glove or stylus operation. However, it should be noted that the surface of the resistor screen is prone to scratches. It is recommended to clean it regularly and use a dedicated stylus. If the application scenario does not require touch functionality, you can also choose to replace the touch screen with a front glass configuration.

Power management and UPS battery kit

This series of industrial tablets is powered by a 24V DC isolated power supply, with an input voltage range of 18-32V DC, and can be optionally equipped with an ATX mode power supply function kit, including onboard buttons, internal cables, and remote command connectors. For situations where sudden power outages are required, ASEM offers the option of UPS (uninterruptible power supply) module, integrated into the power supply section, but the battery kit needs to be ordered separately.

The UPS battery specification is lead-acid battery, 12V, with a capacity of 2500mAh. The charging time is about 3 hours (25 ° C), and the discharging time is about 15 minutes (25 ° C) under a 5A load. The design life can reach 10 years in a 25 ° C environment. It should be noted that the UPS module supports the Microsoft Win32/64 operating system and can monitor the battery status through system software. In practical applications, the main function of UPS is to provide buffering time for the system during power outages, in order to complete data storage and secure shutdown, rather than long-term battery life. Therefore, it is recommended to install UPS in critical process control systems and regularly check the battery health status.

Communication Expansion and Wireless Connection

The communication port of ASEM HT2150/SL adopts a modular option method, and users can flexibly configure it according to their needs. Optional communication ports include:

1 x RS232/422/485 serial port (DB15M)+1 x USB 2.0

1 x RS232/422/485 isolated serial port (DB15M)+1 x USB 2.0

2 x RS232 serial port (DB9M)

1 x USB 2.0 or 2 x USB 2.0

1 x Ethernet 10/100/1000Mbps (Intel I210)+1 x USB 2.0

1 x NETcore X card with 60 pin L connector

It should be noted that the options marked with "note 3" cannot be installed simultaneously, so communication requirements must be clearly defined during the selection phase to avoid port conflicts. In addition, the motherboard also offers 1 x USB 3.0 and 2 x Ethernet (RJ45) as standard rear interfaces. In terms of wireless modules, WiFi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4GHz/5GHz) and 3G/4G-LTE modems are available, suitable for applications that require wireless data transmission or remote monitoring.

Operating System and Software Runtime

In terms of operating system compatibility, ASEM HT2150/SL is officially certified and supports the Microsoft Windows series, including:

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2015 LTSB 64 bit

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB 64 bit

Windows 8.1 Industry Pro 32/64 bit

Windows 7 Pro/Ultimate 32/64 bit

Windows Embedded Standard 7/7P/32/64 bit

Unsupported Windows versions include Windows XP/2000/98/NT and Windows CE 5/6. For other operating systems such as VxWorks, QNX, etc., although not officially certified by ASEM, based on the Intel platform, they usually receive a certain degree of support. It is recommended to conduct sufficient testing before deployment. In terms of software, ASEM UBIQUITY BASIC Win32/64 runtime license is randomly provided, and remote assistance function is supported to facilitate remote diagnosis and maintenance by equipment manufacturers.

Mechanical installation and protection

The HT2150/SL adopts a panel installation method, with the front panel made of aluminum and bearing the ASEM logo. Different display sizes correspond to different opening sizes (parameters A, B, C, D, E, etc.), and engineers must strictly follow the size chart when making control cabinet panels. Taking 6.5 inches as an example, the external dimensions of the front panel are 200mm × 175mm, with an opening size of 192mm × 167mm, and sufficient space needs to be reserved for installation depth. The SL version and SO version have differences in connector layout: the SL version provides CFast, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, 2xLAN, power plug, grounding, and optional UPS at the rear; The SO version provides additional ADD-ON I/F expansion interface and ATX mode button (with remote option). The front panel also has a power supply SSD、 Over temperature, battery, and reset indicator lights facilitate quick on-site assessment of equipment status.

Common troubleshooting and maintenance

1. Unable to power on

Firstly, check if the 24V DC input is within the range of 18-32V, if the power polarity is correct, and if the power plug is securely fastened. If equipped with UPS, it is necessary to confirm that the battery kit is properly connected and the battery voltage is normal, and whether the charging indicator light is on. If using ATX mode, check if the power button is configured correctly and if the remote command connector is short circuited or open circuited.

2. Touch screen unresponsive or offset

The 5-wire resistive touch screen requires the installation of the correct touch driver and regular calibration. If the driver is not installed after reinstalling the system, the touch function will not be able to be used. If there is still deviation after calibration, it may be due to foreign objects or damage on the surface of the touch screen. You can try cleaning the surface or replacing the touch screen. If the front glass is used instead of the touch screen, there will be no touch function.

3. Communication port not working

Firstly, confirm that the selected communication port option has been installed correctly and the driver has been installed. Note that the options for Note 3 cannot be installed simultaneously, as simultaneous insertion may result in conflicts. For RS232/422/485, it is necessary to check whether the baud rate, data bits, stop bits, and checksum settings are consistent with the lower level device. The Ethernet port needs to check the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway settings.

4. Over temperature alarm

Fanless design relies on shell heat dissipation. If the ambient temperature exceeds 50 ° C or the front panel ventilation holes are blocked, it may cause overheating. It should be ensured that the equipment is installed in a well ventilated location, avoiding direct sunlight, and regularly cleaning the dust on the front panel and heat sink. The storage temperature range is -20 to+60 ° C, with a humidity of 80% and no condensation.

5. Unstable or crashing system operation

Check if the memory meets the requirements of the operating system and applications, with a maximum support of 8GB. If using CFast or mSATA SSDs, confirm their health status as industrial grade SSDs may experience bad blocks after frequent writes. In addition, power fluctuations may also cause system restarts. It is recommended to configure UPS or regulated power supply.

6. UPS is not working

The UPS module only supports the Microsoft Win32/64 operating system, and the battery kit needs to be purchased separately. If the battery ages, the discharge time will be significantly shortened. It is recommended to replace the battery every 3-5 years. The ambient temperature during charging should be between 0-50 ° C to avoid high temperature charging affecting the lifespan.

Selection and configuration suggestions

When selecting, it is recommended to follow the following steps:

Determine display requirements: Choose the appropriate size and brightness based on the control cabinet opening size, viewing distance, and ambient light intensity.

Determine computing performance: The J1900 processor is suitable for medium load HMI applications. If complex SCADA or databases need to be run, it is recommended to configure 8GB of memory and SSD.

Determine communication interface: List all devices that need to be connected (PLC, instrument, frequency converter, etc.), select the corresponding serial port, Ethernet, and USB ports, and note that the options are mutually exclusive.

Determine wireless requirements: If remote monitoring or mobile device access is required, WiFi or 4G LTE modules can be selected.

Determine power supply and UPS: If the on-site power supply is unstable, it is necessary to choose a UPS battery kit.

Determine warranty period: The standard warranty is 12 months, which can be extended to 18, 24, or 36 months depending on the project cycle.