Based on what has been posted in the roadmap, the 462 is the same as a 460 plus a Digi16 card and 4 additional temp sensors. Does the 460 support the PWM outputs like the 462 spec lists? Can the PWM outputs also be used as simple on/off outputs? Is there anything else different between them? Faster processor? More flash? Will any future expandability or features be limited only to the 462? Will analog inputs be supported on both units or only the 462?
Is there a picture of the 462? Does it have a case?
Sorry for all the questions! Just trying to get a better feel for what the differences are between the two units.
Q's on details of differences between 460/462
Re: Q's on details of differences between 460/462
Definitely all fair questions. The wiki/website hasn't been updated with many 462 details yet.
The main difference in the 462 is that it has more I/O. The processor is the same. The BCS firmware is the same, which means that any future updates will apply to both. The interface is literally the same code, there is a flag read from the BCS to tell it to remove certain sections like temperature gauges, etc. A 460 can even read 462 config files. The 462 can control 8 temp inputs, and 8 discrete inputs. Analog inputs will require a new expansion card, so no differences there.
The 462 supports 6 PWM outputs. Each of these outputs can be PID controlled, same as the 460, except that they can be now associated with any of the 8 temperature inputs. The remaining 12 outputs are on/off. Unlike the Digi16 outputs, these on/off outputs can all be given unique names, and separately controlled from different processes. The Digi16 outputs can't be broken up between processes, for example Process2 can't control a few of those, and Process5 control different onces at the same time. If any process is controlling a Digi16, it has to control them all. The extra on/off outputs on the BCS don't have this limitation, any output can be controlled by any process simultaneously.
The extra outputs are also more easily controlled manually vs the Digi16, they're in the output table at the bottom of the main control page. The table displays an indicator if its on/off, the output name, and is clickable to turn it on/off manually. Digi16 outputs can only be controlled by processes. The screenshot below is Manual Mode, but the output table is also in the main control page for processes. So the biggest difference is that its more tightly integrated.
http://www.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com/img/manual.jpg
Physically, it looks like a 460 with a new set of terminals in the back. The 462 also has mounting brackets.
There's also a drawing here with dimensions (they're missing the mounting bracket though)
http://www.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com/ ... ifications
The main difference in the 462 is that it has more I/O. The processor is the same. The BCS firmware is the same, which means that any future updates will apply to both. The interface is literally the same code, there is a flag read from the BCS to tell it to remove certain sections like temperature gauges, etc. A 460 can even read 462 config files. The 462 can control 8 temp inputs, and 8 discrete inputs. Analog inputs will require a new expansion card, so no differences there.
The 462 supports 6 PWM outputs. Each of these outputs can be PID controlled, same as the 460, except that they can be now associated with any of the 8 temperature inputs. The remaining 12 outputs are on/off. Unlike the Digi16 outputs, these on/off outputs can all be given unique names, and separately controlled from different processes. The Digi16 outputs can't be broken up between processes, for example Process2 can't control a few of those, and Process5 control different onces at the same time. If any process is controlling a Digi16, it has to control them all. The extra on/off outputs on the BCS don't have this limitation, any output can be controlled by any process simultaneously.
The extra outputs are also more easily controlled manually vs the Digi16, they're in the output table at the bottom of the main control page. The table displays an indicator if its on/off, the output name, and is clickable to turn it on/off manually. Digi16 outputs can only be controlled by processes. The screenshot below is Manual Mode, but the output table is also in the main control page for processes. So the biggest difference is that its more tightly integrated.
http://www.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com/img/manual.jpg
Physically, it looks like a 460 with a new set of terminals in the back. The 462 also has mounting brackets.
There's also a drawing here with dimensions (they're missing the mounting bracket though)
http://www.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com/ ... ifications