Description

Human machine interface (HMI) is an essential part of process plants because it is one of the major ways through which humans and machines interact.  TIDA-00494 offers an HMI design for harsh and hazardous area applications. In process plants: operators are required to interact with keypads for programming functions: encapsulated in explosive proof screw-on metallic enclosures with thick glass windows for local readouts through a liquid-crystal display (LCD).This reference design uses MSP430™ microcontrollers (MCUs) with TI CapTIvate™ technology which allows the operator to interact with the keypad without needing to open the enclosure: saving time by avoiding work permit or plant shutdown. The operator can read results from a LCD and get notified with a light-emitting diode (LED) with only one integrated circuit (IC).