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The
IPm Solution |
The
PLC Way |
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| An IPm
provides powerful and feature rich datalogging.
Store months of data, scaled
and labeled in engineering units in the megabytes of IPm memory.
The Linux file system smoothly transfers data into spreadsheets,
databases, and the historical trend files of your favorite SCADA
software. Configuration is instantly accomplished with just a
few mouse clicks.
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If you have
weeks to spend, you can program primitive and quite limited datalogging
in a PLC by building a shift register. Then you can demonstrate
your skill at writing programs or scripts back in your supervisory
computer, somehow converting a stack of I/O registers into time
stamped data. |
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An IPm was
born to communicate –
multi-user, multitasking communications let you independently use
each and every serial port for any open protocol you choose to use.
The virtually limitless resources of Linux are available to you,
including advanced Ethernet and Internet connectivity – plus
firewalls, authentication and other important security features
you won’t find in a PLC.
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Communications
is an after thought in a PLC (which, after all was originally designed
to be an "Island of Automation”). Spend enough money
or limit your expectations and you can generally find a way to make
your PLC communicate – especially if you are satisfied with
proprietary communications provided by the PLC vendor. |
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An
IPm controller supports the high-end DCS functionality
needed to implement redundant processor
systems. In fact, the I/O Tool Kit v2.5
automatically keeps the configuration of your twin controllers in
synchronization. Each new (free) release of IPm
firmware brings additional reliability though constant innovation.
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PLCs
simply will not share their outputs with another PLC. At the end
of every scan, they overwrite all outputs, assuming they are the
only processor with access to the outputs. The backup PLC will not
know the status of the outputs because a PLC does not readback its
outputs. |
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IPm
brings you the open and always expanding power of the open-source
software world. There is virtually no limit to
the opportunities this truly
open platform presents to you.
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A
PLC has ladder logic at its core (not the most flexible and promising
operating system). PLCs provide expanded capabilities – but
only as special functions added onto their thirty year old PLC core
-- and then only as proprietary capabilities selected and provided
by the PLC vendor. |
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| IPms mount
on a standard DIN rail, program with the universally accepted
IEC 61131-3 programming, communicate
with Modbus
and standard Ethernet protocols, and have a truly open Linux operating
core. From its very foundation, the IPm is the “poster child”
for open systems
– insuring your freedom of choice in automation solutions.
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We believe
that PLC vendors think of open systems as the bad dreams that keeps
them awake at night. |
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| IPm
is based upon open-source Linux
software. The best minds in the software world continue to
contribute their genius to delivering higher performance solutions.
You probably do not wish to be a programmer,
but isn’t it reassuring to know that your systems will keep
improving, always at lower costs, and you have freedom from technical
risk. If you encounter a limitation in the software, its easily
fixed with a modification
to the software – if someone else has not already done it
for you.
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If
you need a feature, just ask your PLC vendor for the source code
for the firmware inside their product. We hope you can tolerate
rejection – they will of course tell you, “If we have
not provided that feature then you must not need it.” Which
brings the topic around to a very interesting next point: upgrades
are free forever. |
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Upgrades
are Free Forever
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| Upgrades
to IPm firmware are free, just download
it from the SIXNET website and
the Tool Kit software will instantly load new features and increased
performance to your systems. It is our way to take care of our
customers – it's as if your IPM systems transform themselves
into the latest model – with no trouble or cost to you.
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Your PLC vendor
will be happy to sell you a newer PLC – perhaps it will fit
into the same backplane so you can avoid rewiring the new I/O you
may be forced to purchase. |
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| SIXNET
I/O provides the features demanded by high end DCS systems, such
as 16-bit accuracy, true hot swap and self-configuration, and
multiple levels of isolation. The use of microprocessor technology
in every SIXNET I/O module reduces parts count, which further
enhances reliability and reduces cost. This is the highest quality
I/O at competitive prices.
Read the “Process quality I/O”
story.
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The objective
of PLC I/O is to have the lowest cost per I/O point. We believe
you get what you pay for with PLCs. |
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IEC
61131-3 ISaGRAF Open Tools
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ISaGRAF
is the portable ladder logic used
by major PLC vendors, but in the IPm, its so much more. SIXNET provides
the standard “Workbench” development tools that all
vendors supply – your programs will be portable between programs
in the true intention of open systems. Above and
beyond this, the IPm gives you performance enhancements such as
direct Tag sharing (never enter data twice), automatic scaling into
floating point variables (work directly in engineering units), and
a wealth of valuable library functions (dial a modem, do SPC calculations,
improved PID, etc.). |
Is your
PLC still using proprietary programming tools? Can you port your
programs from one brand of PLC to another? If not, you are at a
disadvantage, unless of course you choose to be locked into one
type of PLC. |
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Internet/Intranet
Connectivity
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Of course,
IPm can connect to the Internet and exchange data. SIXNET has included
really powerful technology to safely and effectively move data over
the Internet.
Read about the SIXNET Client Advantage.
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PLCs
are just not designed to easily implement efficient transfer of
data over the Internet. They still rely on the pre-Internet (primitive
and inefficient) polling methods. |
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IPm provides
the security features demanded in modern
computer systems – firewall protection, message encryption
and/or authentication, etc. Standard and mature Linux solutions
including ppp (secure message transmission used by Internet providers),
SSL (secure socket layer – the software that makes Internet
sites “safe”)
and IPtables (firewall software) are just
some of the examples.
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PLCs
don’t provide these security features, nor do most PLCs have
the CPU power or memory to even be upgraded. Don’t worry however,
you can always buy an upgraded PLC or add expensive interface boxes
in the future – after you have a serious problem due to a
lack of security. (We know that's when these problems usually get
fixed.) |
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| IPm
has an impressive list of environmental
credentials including operation from –40 to +70 °C,
certification for marine use, and hazardous location ratings. These
attributes enhance the reliability of all systems because to meet
these tough requirements, equipment MUST be very robust. |
Please
read the specifications for your PLC. You can find a PLC that can
meet a select subset of the IPm environmental ratings to suit a
specific application. |
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SIXNET
private labels IPm products for
OEMs and is flexible to meet the special requirements presented
by OEMs. In fact there is a special section devoted to
OEMs on the SIXNET web site:
SIXNET caters to OEMs. |
PLC vendors
may provide what you need if (1) it is an off-the-shelf product,
or (2) you are one of their largest customers and are about to find
an alternative solution because you are very frustrated. |
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Creative
software providers are adding powerful applications to the IPm platform.
You may read about some of the commercially available examples of
IPm
Add-on software. Perhaps you would like to offer your solutions
as well. Any C application can be ported to run on the IPm. Linux
applications can be downloaded and will
likely just run! |
We don’t
hear much about third party software applications that run on the
proprietary operating kernels inside the PLC. (It’s difficult
to run advanced computer solutions in ladder logic.) |
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IPm like most
open platforms is advancing rapidly in response to customer demands
for connectivity, security and application-specific functionality.
Numerous industry experts are creating I/O drivers and advanced
applications for this truly open platform. The best minds in our
industry are using the IPm platform as their path to the future.
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PLCs are still
proprietary boxes with limited functionality and intentionally limited
connectivity. To be sure, PLC vendors are adding new features at
a snails pace, but by their nature, PLCs are being left behind in
the race for the future. The "ladder logic" operating
system at the heart of PLCs is not capable of keeping pace with
the demands of users who are demanding truly open systems. |
