Analog Devices releases Arduino offerings

Ya’akov

Joined Jan 27, 2019
10,226
Just received my January issue of Analog Dialog and it contains this. Seems the "toy" has made it into industrial controls.
Arduino Platform with Analog Devices Technology For Flexible Industrial Control | Analog Devices
I think the most interesting part of this announcement is this

The Arduino PLC IDE allows you to program Portenta Machine Control and Arduino Opta using the five programming languages defined by the IEC 61131-3 standard:

  • Ladder Diagram
  • Functional Block Diagram
  • Structured Text
  • Sequential Function Chart
  • Instruction List
You can mix PLC programming with Arduino sketches within the integrated sketch editor, and seamlessly share variables between the two environments. Bring deterministic cyclic tasks and multitasking to your software application: leverage automation to define timings and repetition of all your mission-critical tasks. Manage CANOpen, Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP communication with the integrated no-code fieldbus configurators.

This looks like something that even @MisterBill2 could say good things about.
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meth

Joined May 21, 2016
298
I have implemented Arduino OPTA on a few machines in industrial environment.
It is a nightmare until you do a firmware install and memory partitioning, also the software has some ridiculous bugs (for ex. if you dont run it as Admin you get connection problems, but it doesnt tell you that the cause is that it hasnt been Run as Admin)... other than that once you have set it in, it is really usable for controlling 3-4 outputs based on 3-4 inputs.. for the money it is the best industrial-ish solution to control few outputs based on few inputs.
 

Thread Starter

SamR

Joined Mar 19, 2019
5,470
This is not your kid's Arduino. More like a Frankenstein they added Arduino to. I used several Allen Bradley small scale stand-alone SLCs for small remote projects when they first came out over 25 years ago. They provided PLC applications programing with a limited I/O in a small chassis cheap. This seems to be very similar concept with quite a few added bonus features in addition to the standard PLC. Instead of a small rack mount chassis they have gone the rail mounting limited scale module route. ModBus has been around quite a while but apparently Canbus has migrated out of the automobile chassis with CANOpen. When I hear Analog Devices I think components, not an industrial control module. There is always room for growth in the industrial market. I did surprise a few area electricians by mounting small Toshiba variable speed motor controllers inside the standard motor control center bucket who opened it up expecting a standard motor starter. Gotta love innovation!
 
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