Highlighted by the ADAM-6500 Ethernet-enabled communication controller and our Programmable Automation Controllers, such as the ADAM-5550KW and ADAM-5510KW Series, this product line is also home to Advantech's excellent line of Automation Tools & Software, such as Advantech Studio, ADAMView, and the KW Multiprog SoftLogic Control Software, which help users easily develop customized programs.
The Next Generation of Automation Controller
High level industrial applications require complex control capabilities, high speed analog measurements, multiple program support with different cycle times, open communication functions and enterprise-level network integration. In order to satisfy the market demands for complex control, Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC) are emerging in the market. PAC’s define the new generation of industrial controllers which feature the PC’s openness, high performance CPU, rich memory and powerful software functionality as well as the PLC’s reliability and robustness.
The above figure shows the evolution of the automation controller. The PAC acronym is being used both by traditional PLC vendors to describe their high end systems and by PC-based Control companies to describe their industrial control platforms. PAC development is the same goal of PLC and PC-based Controller manufacturers. Programmable Automation Controllers incorporate multi-domain functionality, common development platforms, open standard interfaces and distributed modular architectures. PLC simply understates the capability of current automation systems. As the new generation comes to market, the more apt notion of PAC will displace its predecessor. PAC’s augment the function and role of traditional PLC’s by defining new capabilities.
Another approach of PAC is evolving from Industrial PC with mature embedded computing technology. With the nature of open architecture, PAC provides not only Industrial
Computer’s high computing performance but also the PLC’s robustness.