Temecula, CA — October 2005 — Opto 22, a developer and manufacturer of hardware and software for industrial automation, remote monitoring, data acquisition, and machine-to-machine(M2M) applications, has introduced the SNAP PAC family of programmable automation controllers, extending a long history of reliable, easy-to-use control hardware.SNAP PACs are high-performance, multi-domain, Ethernet-based industrial automation controllerssuitable for applications in automation and control, remote monitoring, and data acquisition.SNAP PACs are particularly well-suited to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), systemintegrators, and end-users in process control, discrete manufacturing, or hybrid industries andapplications. SNAP PACs are tightly coupled with ioProject™ Basic and ioProject Professional,comprehensive automation software suites providing programming, debugging, human-machineinterface development, OPC and database connectivity, and utilities. Two versions of the SNAP PACare being released: the SNAP PAC S-series and the SNAP PAC-R series.The SNAP-PAC-S1 is a standalone controller suitable for distributed control systems andapplications with high I/O point counts or complex Ethernet network architectures. TheSNAP-PAC-S1 features a 32-bit multitasking processor with floating point unit, 32 MB of RAM,16 MB of flash memory, and 8 MB of battery-backed RAM. The SNAP-PAC-S1 offers twoindependent, auto-negotiating 10/100 Mbps Ethernet interfaces which, when used with ioProjectProfessional, can be configured to create dual Ethernet networks for segmenting I/O and hosttraffic, or to create redundant Ethernet link segments for critical applications. Also includedare one RS-485 port for I/O communications or other RS-485 devices, and two RS-232 ports,one of which offers full handshaking control, useful for connecting to wired or wirelessmodems and other network equipment where host/controller communication control isdesired. In addition, point-to-point protocol (PPP) support is included for use in creating TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) networks over serial or PSTN (Public SwitchedTelephone Network) lines.Notably, the RS-485 serial port on the SNAP PAC S-series controller allows users to connect totheir legacy Opto 22 serial-based I/O systems, preserving sizable investments in I/O systems,instrumentation, field wiring, and serial networks. Supported Opto 22 serial-based I/O systemsinclude the B3000 brain and G4 mistic™ bricks. Furthermore, the included Ethernet interfacesavailable on both the SNAP PAC S-series and R-series controller allow users to connect toOptomux® I/O systems when retrofitted with Opto 22’s recently announced Ethernet Optomuxbrains, the E1 and E2.The SNAP PAC-R1 is an “on-the-I/O-rack” controller designed for cell control and smaller pointcount applications where the I/O needs are geographically contained. The SNAP-PAC-R1 delivers acompact, affordable solution in a small, integrated package. The SNAP-PAC-R1 also features twoindependent, auto-negotiating 10/100 Mbps Ethernet interfaces that can be used for networksegmenting or Ethernet link redundancy, allowing the PAC-R controller to scale up to largersystems or be a member in a PAC-S distributed system. Finally, the SNAP-PAC-R1 features a 32-bitmultitasking processor with floating point unit; 16 MB of RAM, 8 MB of flash memory, and 2 MBof battery-backed RAM; and one RS-232 port with full handshaking control.For the value-conscious user, the SNAP-PAC-R1 combined with a SNAP-B8M 8-module I/O rackand the included ioProject Basic programming and HMI software provides an under-$1000 controland data acquisition hardware and software solution capable of addressing up to 512 local I/Opoints. The customer needs only to add the application-specific input/output modules. (Each SNAPI/O module provides from 2 to 32 channels per module.)Both the PAC-S and PAC-R versions of the SNAP PAC family are specifically designed for use withOpto 22’s latest release of ioProject Basic and Professional, an integrated suite of applications,programming tools, and utilities. Both SNAP PACs ship with ioProject Basic at no charge, whichincludes ioControl™ Basic (flowchart-based programming tool) and ioDisplay™ Basic (an HMIdevelopment and runtime application.) For advanced applications requiring link redundancy,segmented networking, or migration from legacy Opto 22 control systems, ioProject Professionalprovides an expanded feature-set with added functionality including an OPC server and anOpto 22 FactoryFloor® import facility.This last feature was designed for existing Opto 22 customers, giving users of the widely-deployedFactoryFloor software a clear migration path to the more powerful Ethernet-based controlplatform. Specifically, FactoryFloor OptoControl™ strategies and OptoDisplay™ HMI projects canbe imported and converted to be used with ioProject Professional. This offers users of Opto 22legacy hardware several benefits, such as the opportunity to utilize the SNAP PAC-S1 and otherfaster, more powerful Ethernet controllers; the option of adding OptoTerminal™ touchscreens totheir systems; and the ability to use Opto 22’s most recently introduced SNAP I/O™ modules—allwithout sacrificing existing investments in I/O, instrumentation, and field wiring.The SNAP-PAC-S1 standalone controller’s suggested list price is US$1095.00, and it is scheduled toship in November, 2005. The SNAP-PAC-R1 rack-mounted controller’s suggested list price isUS$865.00, and availability is scheduled for the beginning of 2006. ioProject Professional is slatedfor release in November, 2005 and will list for US$995.00. ioProject Professional includes ioControlProfessional, ioDisplay Professional, OptoOPC Server™, and ioManager™. ioProject Basic includesioControl Basic, ioDisplay Basic, and ioManager, and is included with the purchase of anySNAP-PAC-R1 controller.About PACs (Programmable Automation Controllers)Programmable automation controllers (PACs) are industrial controllers that combine the featuresand functionality of PC-based control systems with those of traditional PLCs (programmable logiccontrollers). In doing so, PACs fill an ever-increasing need in the automation and control marketfor powerful and affordable hardware devices that can perform continuous machine or processcontrol, plus offer data acquisition capabilities, multiple communication options, and integrationwith enterprise applications and databases.In 1990, eleven years before the term PAC was coined by Craig Resnick of ARC Advisory Group,Opto 22 was first to market with a PAC-type hardware device in the form of its computer-basedmistic controller. The new SNAP PAC systems therefore build on more than 15 years of experienceand thousands of successful mistic and other PAC installations all over the world in applicationsinvolving semiconductor processing, material handling, water and wastewater treatment, pipelinemonitoring, and more. Today, what sets Opto 22 PAC systems apart from those of other vendors isthis wealth of experience, coupled with ease-of-use, versatility, scalability, reliability, use ofstandard off-the-shelf networking technologies, and tighter integration between the hardwareand software.For example, Opto 22’s PAC control software offers a unique combination of intuitive flowchartprogramming methods along with a versatile English-syntax command set for digital and analogcontrol, PID loop control, serial device integration, string and port handling, and scalable Ethernetnetworking. These methods and commands work from a single tagname database environmentthat spans from control strategy development to human-machine interface to computer databaseintegration. All programming, connectivity, and display tools are tightly coupled to the controllers,providing customers a single point of contact and assurances that the systems work in concert—no more configuring registers, creating and linking tags to registers, then connecting tagdatabases to make their systems communicate. This results in decreased debugging time andmuch faster commissioning of systems in the field. Perhaps most significantly, all of this isbundled to form a system that is measurably more affordable than any other on the market.About Opto 22Opto 22 develops and manufactures hardware and software products for applications in industrialautomation, remote monitoring, and data acquisition. Using standard, commercially availableInternet, networking, and computer technologies, Opto 22’s input/output and control systemsallow customers to monitor, control, and acquire data from all of the mechanical, electrical, andelectronic assets that are key to their business operations. Opto 22's products and services supportautomation end users, OEMs, and information technology and operations personnel. Founded in1974 and with over 85 million Opto 22-connected devices deployed worldwide, the company hasan established reputation for quality and reliability.Opto 22 products are sold through a worldwide network of distributors, partners, and systemintegrators. For more information, contact Opto 22 headquarters at 800-321-OPTO or visit ourWeb site at www.opto22.com.
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