One of the high points of this year's Automation andRobotics 2000 Show was the launch by Opto 22 of a new family ofI/O modules which interface with any RS-232 serial device. Thenew SNAP-SCM-232 two-channel serial communication module extendsthe functionality of Opto 22's award-winning SNAP EthernetI/O system, which now becomes the first of its kind to be able toconnect to virtually any plant floor device. According to Opto 22vice president Bob Sheffres, a whole new level of accessibilityto engineering data is now available: 'With the new serialmodule in the mix, you can now put any serial device right on theEthernet network - or even the Internet.
Suddenly, the SNAP I/Osystem becomes the universal thin server for all datatypes.' In the past, combining analogue and digital signalswith serial devices involved the difficulty and expense ofinstalling a PLC, controller, or PC close to the source of thedata to interface with all the signals.
With its modules, theSNAP Ethernet I/O system now allows users to place the compactI/O system close to the data source and then multiplex allsignals back on an Ethernet network.
Analogue versions areavailable in either two or four points per module, while digitalmodules come with four points each.
The new serial moduleprovides two RS-232 ports per module.
Almost any application canbe handled as up to 16 modules of all three types can be mountedon a single rack.
The SNAP-SCM-232 module offers baud ratesranging from 300-115,200, while all adapter cables with both maleand female cable-to-D shell connectors are included.
In addition,Ready-To-Send (RTS) and Clear-To-Send (CTS) functions allow theuser to communicate with devices such as radios or modemsdirectly from the serial ports.
As a result, SNAP Ethernet I/Owith a serial module has a huge range of potential applications,including: interfacing with printers and barcode readers formaterials handling; scales, message displays, and chart recordersfor the plant floor; badge readers and solenoids for securitysystems; and in the laboratory with a mix of low-level analogueand digital signals in conjunction with serial analysers andother speciality equipment.