According to Bachmann, up to 50 percent more performance compared to the previous MH212 generation can be achieved by replacing the processor module thanks to the powerful Intel i3 dual-core (2.3 GHz), multi-threading and one gigabyte of NVRAM. The existing application software is executed unchanged on a core of the MH230 module so that the new modules can also replace older controllers in the field (repair, update).

The module's second processor core can be used for new functions such as condition monitoring, audit trail or other computing-intensive extensions to the control system. End customers can thus be provided with additional features without the machine manufacturer having to modify existing software. According to the company, applications that are optimized for the multi-core architecture can achieve up to twice the performance. Bachmann thus provides users with a flexible migration path to more performance and multi-core applications.

Bachmann has developed a migration guide to make it as easy as possible to get started in the multi-core world. The system software also supports symmetric multiprocessing (SMP). This means that the operating system automatically distributes the tasks to the individual cores in the background and manages the hardware resources. Auxiliary programs seamlessly integrated into the engineering software make work easier for the programmer, such as assigning tasks (affinity) to the various cores. This allows time-critical tasks to be separated from non-critical tasks and increases the stability of the overall system. A built-in security chip of the latest generation (TPM 2.0) can prevent unauthorized software installations, supports various encryption technologies and enables passwords to be stored securely.

The new MH230 module also meets the highest requirements in terms of connectivity: Three Gigabit real-time Ethernet ports and USB 3.0 allow fast data connections to be established to other devices and data to be read out/uploaded at top speed. The 2 gigabyte flash memory of the MH230 module offers sufficient space for storing the complete application software or audit trail data, for example. The MH230 processor module operates without a fan and is characterized by its robustness. It will be available in series production from the 1st quarter of 2019 - also as a cold-climate variant.