FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chuck Harrell at 513-742-8895 ext 333 or
Advantech to co-sponsor an Automotive Research Lab at Penn State University (PSU)
(Cincinnati, Ohio – 2/12/2007) - The eAutomation Group of Advantech will co-sponsor an automotive research lab administered by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute at Penn State. This project develops a campus-wide hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) capability to test advanced vehicle powertrains and controllers for teaching the next generation of automotive engineers while initiating research into new vehicle technologies.
By using internet-enabled data-acquisition systems and local power-processing interfaces, vehicle subsystems distributed over a wide geographic area of the Penn State campus are coupled with each other so that they interact in real-time just as they would in a vehicle. These subsystems include advanced fuel cells, novel batteries, ultracapacitors, flywheel energy storage systems, high-efficiency electric drive motors, advanced combustion engine test stands, and chassis dynamometers. This interconnected testing capability should allow one to rapidly perform teaching and research studies on vehicle hardware that is years away from integration, even in prototype vehicles. HIL methods are the focus of a newly developed course to be taught for the first time in spring 2007 through the sponsorship of the Department of Energy. In addition to connecting six major vehicle laboratories at Penn State, industry and government partnerships are also developing that will further broaden the hardware interconnection network across the state and country, perhaps even across continents. A long-term goal of this project is the development of one of the most versatile research and teaching systems in existence for testing hydrogen and hybrid vehicle systems.
Advantech’s products are essential to the success of this program. These products are the UNO-3072 (Celeron M 1 GHz front access fanless PC with 2xPCI and 1xPC card slot), UNO-3074 (Intel Pentium M embedded automation computer with 4xPCI and 1xPC card slot), PS-DC24-50 (50W DC 24V/2.3A output power supply), PCI-1716 (250 KS/s, 16 bit, 16-channel high-resolution card), PCL-10168 (SCSI-II 68-pin shielded cable), and PCLD-8710 (screw terminal boards). To learn more about these products, call Advantech at 1-800-205-7940 or visit www.eautomationpro.com/us.
Advantech Corporation, eAutomation Group –Founded in 1983, the eAutomation Group of Advantech Corporation is a pioneer in eAutomation technology; combining connectivity, flexibility and ruggedness with today's most reliable PC-based automation technologies. Product offerings include: Open HMIplatforms, Industrial Ethernet, Automation Controllers and Software, Fanless Box PCs, Distributed I/O Modules, Plug-in I/O and Industrial Communication for a wide array of industries.
With more than 2,700 talents, Advantech operates an extensive support, sales and marketing network in 17 countries and 33 major cities to deliver fast time-to-market services to our worldwide customers. Today Advantech offers over 700 products and solutions, adding approximately 30 new products each year. US operations for the eAutomation Group are based in Cincinnati, OH (800-205-7940). Advantech Corporation, eAutomation Group, 1320 Kemper Meadow Drive, Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45240. Website for Advantech customers in North America: www.eAutomationPro.com. Email:
The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute is an interdisciplinary research unit within the College of Engineering at Penn State. Founded in 1968, PTI has grown from a small research facility to one of the nation's leading university transportation centers. The Institute’s energies are directed toward solving problems in three major areas of transportation research: transportation operations, transportation infrastructure, and vehicle systems and safety. PTI serves as the locus for involvement of multiple colleges, university campuses and research units in transportation-related research, education and outreach initiatives. PTI has conducted research for federal, state, municipal, and industrial sources, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (FHWA, FTA, NCHRP, SHRP, TCRP), U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, other state agencies and departments of transportation, and a broad range of private-sector entities. www.pti.psu.edu
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Media website for more info, datasheets, etc.: http://www.advantech-eautomation.com/media
Chuck Harrell
Advantech Corporation, eAutomation Group
(513) 742-8895 x333
website: www.eautomationpro.com/us
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