IEC 61131-3 PLC-on-a-chip includes communications interface
The US automation developer Real Time Automation has announced a complete IEC 61131-3 controller on a chip with integrated industrial networking. It has also developed another chip that contains a complete industrial communications interface.
RTA’s InstantPLC chip will allow manufacturers of industrial and process industry products to embed an industrial controller in their products, complete with Modbus, Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet or TCP communications.
The PLC-on-a-chip supports all of the programming languages defined in the IEC 61131-3 standard, including Ladder Logic, Instruction List, Structured Text, Function Block and Sequential Function Chart. The initial version of the chip is based on a 32-bit processor with 8Mb of RAM, 4Mb of flash memory and optional support for SD card memory.
The InstantCommunications chip allows manufacturers to add the same communications options as the InstantPLC to their products.
RTA will supply the new devices as chips, on small circuit board modules, as packaged add-on modules, or as control "bricks".
RTA’s customers and partners include GE, Siemens, Allen Bradley and Proctor & Gamble.
