PC-based control software for windows NT and CE
Jan 2000
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
PLC Direct
Think & Do Software, a PC-based control software package for Windows NT and Windows CE, now supports Automationdirect.com's RUNtimePC, a Windows CE controller with a built-in 12,1" graphical display. The package offers users a range of options in PC-based control. Users can run the software application on standard PCs with Windows NT, on the RUNtimePC with its graphical display, or on fully embedded Windows CE controllers. The ability to target multiple Windows CE controllers is included at no extra cost in the Think & Do Software development package. The RUNtimePC is sold by PLCDirect and comes pre-loaded with Windows CE and the Think & Do Windows CE runtime.
Windows CE is rapidly emerging as the preferred realtime operating systems for control applications where diskless operation, 'instant on' and/or small size are important considerations. Microsoft developed Windows CE for use in small, realtime embedded systems. It is widely used in palm PCs and newer consumer electronic devices. Diskless Windows CE devices designed for industrial control applications are becoming available from a wide variety of sources. Think & Do software Windows CE device support currently available or in development includes controllers from Automationdirect.com, Ann Arbor Technologies, AAEON and others.
Ken Spenser, President and CEO of Think & Do Software, said, "We focus on enabling our customers to take full advantage of commercial PC and embedded system technology to achieve high-performance, low-cost systems that integrate seamlessly with plant-wide information systems. With our Windows CE runtime capability users can finally extend their standard information technology infrastructure all the way down to embedded control systems", he added.
"Windows CE controller support brings the advantages of PC based control to a whole new set of embedded control applications. Flowchart control logic, integrated HMI and standard Microsoft interfaces (like COM/DCOM/OPC) simplify embedded control design and accelerate the integration of control system data with plant monitoring and control applications." He also noted that, "It gives control system designers new options in system architecture by enabling cost-effective distribution of control and HMI."
The Think & Do Software package includes flowchart logic, HMI with 2200 symbol graphics library, integrated motion control, PID loop control, all I/O drivers and Windows CE device support. Users can extend the flowchart logic by writing and seamlessly linking Visual Basic, C or C++ programs. The software includes powerful debugging capabilities such as online change capability and EasyTrac (a patented visual logic analyser).
PLC Direct
(021) 914 0412
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