Information Regarding Automation Runtime Operation - B&R Automation PC 3100 User Manual

Software
Information:
In order to use Automation Runtime Embedded (ARemb), BIOS setting Advanced - OEM features -
Realtime environment must be set to Enabled.

4.5.5 Information regarding Automation Runtime operation

Information:
In situations where there is a heavy load on the CPU and GPU simultaneously, it is possible that the
specified Thermal Design Power (TDP) of the CPU is exceeded. When this happens, the CPU's internal
protective mechanisms will begin limiting the load to the TDP. This means that either the CPU frequency
or the graphic frequency (GPU) will be reduced/controlled. In real-time applications, this can result in
increased jitter and/or higher cycle times.
This behavior can be influenced by settings in BIOS. The maximum CPU frequency can be set in BIOS
under Advanced - CPU configuration using option CPU flex ratio override. The number of cores used
can be set using option Active processor cores.
In addition, the maximum frequency of the GPU (Gfx) can be limited in BIOS under Advanced - Power
& Performance - GT power management control with option Maximum GT frequency.
Limiting the CPU and/or GPU frequency reduces power consumption and prevents the TDP from being
exceeded.
The optimal settings for real-time operation depend on several factors:
1 The CPU variant being used:
° If CPU C-3965U is used, no further action (BIOS settings) are necessary. For pure ARemb opera-
tion, it is recommended to limit the active processor cores to 1 in BIOS.
° If the i3-7100U, i5-7300U or i7-7600U CPU is used, see item 2 "ARemb, ARwin or B&R Hypervisor
operation".
2 ARemb, ARwin or B&R Hypervisor operation:
° For pure ARemb operation, the active processor cores must be limited to 1 and the GPU frequency
must be limited to an average value (see item 3 "Typical applications for ARemb").
° For ARwin or B&R Hypervisor operation, see point 4 "Typical applications for ARwin or B&R Hy-
pervisor".
3 Typical applications for ARemb:
The following operating modes are intended to represent typical applications.
° xPC3100 C-3965U: No limitation of CPU and/or GPU frequency necessary.
Operation with max. CPU and Gfx frequency is possible, but B&R recommends single-core oper-
ation.
° xPC3100 i3-7100U: Operation as single-core system with 2400 MHz CPU and 600 MHz Gfx fre-
quency
° xPC3100 i5-7300U: Operation as single-core system with 2600 MHz CPU and 600 MHz Gfx fre-
quency
° xPC3100 i7-7600U: Operation as single-core system with 2800 MHz CPU and 600 MHz Gfx fre-
quency
4 Typical applicastions for ARwin or B&R Hypervisor:
The following operating modes are intended to represent typical applications.
° xPC3100 C-3965U: No limitation of CPU and/or GPU frequency necessary.
Operation with max. CPU and Gfx frequency is possible.
° xPC3100 i3-7100U: Operation with 1400 MHz CPU and 800 MHz Gfx frequency
° xPC3100 i3-7100U: Operation with 2000 MHz CPU and 450 MHz Gfx frequency
° xPC3100 i5-7300U: Operation with 1600 MHz CPU and 800 MHz Gfx frequency
° xPC3100 i5-7300U: Operation with 2100 MHz CPU and 450 MHz Gfx frequency
° xPC3100 i7-7600U: Operation with 1600 MHz CPU and 800 MHz Gfx frequency
° xPC3100 i7-7600U: Operation with 2100 MHz CPU and 450 MHz Gfx frequency
194 Automation PC 3100 User's manual V 1.00 Translation of the original documentation