LEMT - LiPPERT Enhanced Management Technology
LiPPERT Enhanced Management Technology (LEMT) has been developed to resolve some shortcomings of today's Embedded PC systems. For once, contemporary processors and chipsets have complex needs when it comes housekeeping tasks; for instance, to power up and power save modes. In order to flexibly handle these requirements, the best solution is to integrate a microcontroller on board, which can be freely programmed to handle even the most complex sequences. On the other hand, many applications require that there are means to record up times, maximum temperatures and the like.
Function Overview
LiPPERT solves these intricacies with LEMT. An integrated microcontroller (system management controller, SMC) communicates with the chipset over the system management bus (SMB). In addition to the functions required by the used chipset, this microcontroller also implements a set of functions that can be used by an application program.
LEMT Function Overview:
- Identify part number, serial number, BIOS and SMC version
- Read total operating hours
- Read up-time seconds counter since power on
- Read overall power cycles
- Read current temperature of CPU and board
- Get power-up temperature of CPU and board
- Log Min-/Max-Temperature of CPU and board
- Set, reset or disable the watchdog timer
- Access flash ROM for user data (512B / 1kB)
- Save data in write-protectable flash ROM (128B / fused)
- Get information about system restart events
- Enable, disable and control the LVDS backlight
- Read main current and power consumption
Log data for spreadsheet calculation programs
Web Browser
LEMT's information can also be remotely viewed using a web browser, To achieve this, a web server must be installed on the embedded PC. A CGI script takes care of the SMB communication and builds a corresponding web page. The page's refresh time is configurable. The screen shot shows the information page.
Architecture
LEMT's architecture defines two parts: A hardware and an application layer. The hardware (driver) layer accesses an integrated microcontroller (SMC) directly through the appropriate chipset. The means of communication is given by the System Management Bus (SMB). The SMC handles all LEMT functionality as described above. Additionally, it performs system housekeeping, like start up power sequencing and the like.
The application layer part is for user interaction. It reads commands and displays the data fetched by the SMC. As the interface to the driver part is defined independently from the operating system, the application program can be easily ported between various operating systems. Versions for Windows and Linux are readily available.
To discuss how we can help you implement or adopt this process, please contact us on 024 7669 2066 or by email