Arduino has announced two new additions to the Opta family of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) designed for projects that are too complex for a single controller: the Opta Digital Expansion Module and the Opta Analog Expansion Module.
The Arduino team writes about their latest release: “With the Arduino Pro Opta extension, you can enhance your Arduino Opta applications for real-time control, monitoring, and predictive maintenance. Get them up and running quickly and seamlessly manage new additions to the Opta base. Take advantage of the open and well-known Arduino ecosystem or the IEC 61131-3 PLC IDE programming environment.”
Arduino launched the Opta micro PLC series in November 2022 to target the industrial programmable logic controller market, featuring a new development environment that supports the standard IEC 61131-3 PLC language, including ladder logic and function block diagrams. Earlier this month, the company released a PLC starter kit that offers Opta WiFi, Simulat8, and DIN Celsius add-ons, as well as a 20-hour course designed to introduce general knowledge of PLCs, as well as Opta and its development environment.
The new expansion module is designed for applications where the basic Opta PLC lacks adequate connectivity and provides a cheaper and easier to manage alternative than simply adding additional PLCs.
The expansion modules mimic the form factor of the Opta boards themselves, attaching to the sides and providing additional digital or analog connections, all controlled from the base Opta via a simple library. Arduino has confirmed that up to five modules can be connected to a single Opta board, connected side by side via the expansion ports.
The Arduino Opta Digital Expansion Modules come in two variants: the D1608E provides 16 programmable inputs that can be used as 0-24V digital inputs or 0-10V analog inputs, and 8 electromechanical relays that support 240VAC up to 6A, the D1608S has the same 16V input, but replaces the electromechanical relay with a solid-state version that supports 24VDC and up to 2A.
Meanwhile, the Arduino Opta Analog Expansion Module (part number A0602) adds six analog inputs that can be configured to read voltage from 0 to 10 V and current up to 20 mA, two of which can read the temperature of an optional PT100 RTD sensor, while four digital outputs support pulse-width modulation (PWM), and two true analog outputs support programmable 0-10 V or up to 20 mA outputs – a feature not found on the non-expanded Opta PLC.
The Arduino Opta Digital Expansion Modules were the first products to hit the market, with the Analog Expansion Modules coming later at $136.80 and the D1608S at $146.40, both available on the Arduino Store.
Post time: Nov-18-2024