Microsoft UNO-3074 user manual Introduction, Open Architecture Designed for Automation

Chapter 1 Overview

1.1 Introduction

Standard PCs and some industrial computers with a standard OS and hard- ware for the consumer market cannot provide the reliability required by industrial automation and embedded industrial control applications. How- ever, many engineers prefer to use PCs because of their advanced func- tions such as: analog control and simulation, database connectivity, web- based applications, and communication with third-party devices. UNO- 3074 combines the best features of a PC, including the processor, RAM, and powerful software, with the reliability, ruggedness, and distributed nature of a PLC. UNO-3074 has the compact size and ruggedness of a PLC, and the software flexibility and functionality of a PC. It's an ideal platform for sophisticated control and logging in rugged environments.

Open Architecture Designed for Automation

For applications demanding customized control, UNO-3074 that uses more flexible, off-the-shelf technology is a better option. UNO-3074 uses off-the-shelf components such as an x86 processor, an Ethernet chip set, CompactFlash and DRAM. System designers can easily create multiple inputs from sensors via plug-in data acquisition cards and provide outputs to other devices to control the operation. At the same time, the UNO-3074 unit can broadcast the process data through the Ethernet and share the data with operators and managers. By using off-the-shelf components, machine builders can customize the control scheme they use for other machines that require multiple inputs, optimized control, or Ethernet communication. So, UNO-3074 offers the I/O connectivity of PCs with options such as 2 x 10/ 100Base-T Ethernet, 2 x RS-232, 2 x RS-232/422/485, 4 x USB, Com- pactFlash, PC Card and PCI extension slots and VGA interfaces for dis- play panels.

UNO-3074 User Manual 2