Web server technology for PLCs

March 2001 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

The Unity Watch run-time engine for the WinPLC CPU modules comes preloaded on WinPLC modules. The engine was the result of the combined efforts of Automationdirect.com and eMation, a leader in Internet Web server technology.

WinPLC, which is claimed to be the first PLC control platform to run the Microsoft Windows CE operating system, fits into the CPU slot of the popular DL205 Series PLC bases. This module integrates all the best features of PLCs and PCs, including direct backplane access to I/O, nonvolatile program and data memories and a built-in Ethernet and serial port. The 100 MHz processor has access to 4 MB of flash ROM and 2 MB of RAM.

The Unity Watch run-time engine offers complete backplane access to DL205 modules and includes features such as a built-in Web server for publishing realtime graphics, trends and alarms. Through optional OPC servers, serial and network connections can also be implemented. The Unity Watch run-time engine acts as a Web gateway to all existing systems, giving them TCP/IP connectivity without the need to rewire or reconfigure.

Application development for the Unity WinPLC is performed with Unity Builder development software. Unity Builder runs on Windows 95, 98, 2000 and Windows NT, and allows users to develop Web pages and download them to the WinPLC.

When combined with the WinPLC serial port or additional H2-SERIO triple-port serial modules, a gateway connection to older control systems allows critical process data to be monitored over the Internet. Unity Builder also offers configuration functions such as Web publishing, VBscript development, security configuration, platform targeting, remote administration, and a Display and Animation Builder for configuring graphical and control objects with the specific tags for the application. Tag configuration that supports the definition of all tag names, I/O connections and alarm parameters is also provided.

PLCDirect SA sells over 2000 feature-rich products through its 1000-page desk reference. The company offers its customers high-quality automation products, which it says are often priced at half the industry average. It offers 24-hour order entry and fast delivery, documentation amongst the best in the industry, full sales and technical support (claiming response times that are typically within three minutes).

www.plcdirect.co.za

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