One of the high points of this year's Automation and Robotics 2000 Show was the launch by Opto 22 of a new family of I/O modules which interface with any RS-232 serial device.
One of the high points of this year's Automation and Robotics 2000 Show was the launch by Opto 22 of a new family of I/O modules which interface with any RS-232 serial device.
The new SNAP-SCM-232 two-channel serial communication module extends the functionality of Opto 22's award-winning SNAP Ethernet I/O system, which now becomes the first of its kind to be able to connect to virtually any plant floor device.
According to Opto 22 vice president Bob Sheffres, a whole new level of accessibility to engineering data is now available: "With the new serial module in the mix, you can now put any serial device right on the Ethernet network - or even the Internet.
Suddenly, the SNAP I/O system becomes the universal thin server for all data types." In the past, combining analogue and digital signals with serial devices involved the difficulty and expense of installing a PLC, controller, or PC close to the source of the data to interface with all the signals.
With its modules, the SNAP Ethernet I/O system now allows users to place the compact I/O system close to the data source and then multiplex all signals back on an Ethernet network.
Analogue versions are available in either two or four points per module, while digital modules come with four points each.
The new serial module provides two RS-232 ports per module.
Almost any application can be handled as up to 16 modules of all three types can be mounted on a single rack.
The SNAP-SCM-232 module offers baud rates ranging from 300-115,200, while all adapter cables with both male and female cable-to-D shell connectors are included.
In addition, Ready-To-Send (RTS) and Clear-To-Send (CTS) functions allow the user to communicate with devices such as radios or modems directly from the serial ports.
As a result, SNAP Ethernet I/O with a serial module has a huge range of potential applications, including: interfacing with printers and barcode readers for materials handling; scales, message displays, and chart recorders for the plant floor; badge readers and solenoids for security systems; and in the laboratory with a mix of low-level analogue and digital signals in conjunction with serial analysers and other speciality equipment.
