OPC server for measurement and control

Any OPC-enabled software can now be used to communicate with the new Microlink OPC Servers for measurement and control. Let the Microlinks manage the initial data collection and use your favourite software to store, process and present the data

Part of Microsoft Windows, the OPC (Open Process Control) standard specifies a common software interface that eliminates the need for individual drivers for each piece of equipment. It makes it easy to combine hardware and software from many different manufacturers into one integrated system. The Microlink's new OPC capabilities mean they can be quickly added to any OPC-enabled system - working alongside third-party hardware and software with no system-integration headaches or installation downtime.

The Microlink devices connect to a PC over either RS232 or RS485 cables. Modular-based they provide digital input and output, analogue input and output, timing and counting for monitoring and control of for example, voltage, current, resistance, temperature, strain, humidity, force, pressure, level, flow, displacement, vibration, speed and concentration. They can handle almost any type of instrument or sensor.

Examples of OPC software which can now access data from the Microlinks include National Instruments' LabVIEW, Hexatec's Saturn SCADA interface and Microsoft's Excel.

Current serial Microlink users can add OPC compatibility simply by purchasing some OPC-server software from Biodata. This costs £145 (around $230 US or 230 Euro) and runs under Windows 95 and later.

When data acquisition devices conform to the OPC standard, you can use them with any OPC-enabled software application. And vice versa. You can therefore easily combine different devices from different manufacturers in one system, without integration headaches. For front-line data acquisition, the Microlink measurement and control hardware can be used. For display and analysis any OPC software can be used, such as SCADA, LIMS, virtual instruments, spreadsheets, databases, etc. Benefits include:

• Reduced installation time
• Ability to add devices without halting existing software and systems
• Quick replacement of a device from one vendor with one from another
• Shared information around networks
• Device drivers rendered obsolete
• Factory, laboratory and office applications can all access the same data
• Reliable data as any number of OPC software applications can simultaneously read a device
• Single, industry-standard, data interface
• Choice of Microlink data collection devices using RS232 or RS485 connections
• Modular hardware letting you connect almost any instrument or transducer to a PC
• Ability to use any OPC-enabled software such as National Instruments' LabVIEW, Microsoft's Excel or Hexatec's Saturn
• Free technical support for life.

The Microlink device presents the data it collects according to the OPC standard and is thus known as an OPC server. If the software application can understand the OPC format it can access data from any OPC server, making individual drivers for each piece of equipment obsolete.

OPC-enabled software packages include spreadsheets, databases, LIMS, virtual instruments and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) interfaces. These applications are known as OPC client software. You can also develop your own Visual Basic programs to exchange data with OPC servers. Your program will work with all OPC devices connected to your PC and on the network.

With OPC, systems can share information and co-operate with other installations across factories, offices and laboratories. The same data is readily available to engineering, maintenance, management... in fact to anyone who requires up-to-the-minute data on which to base their decisions.

All OPC devices will connect together and immediately work with the OPC client software. This has the potential to massively reduce installation and system configuration time. It also means that you can add devices without shutting down existing systems.

The Microlinks offer digital input, output, counters, timers, analogue input and analogue output for monitoring and control of, for example, voltage, current, resistance, temperature, strain, humidity, force, pressure, level, flow, displacement, vibration, speed and concentration.

The Microlink 1500 series is a distributed, DIN rail mounted, system which is expandable to over 1000 channels. The 1500 series modules can sample data at speeds up to 20Hz. Communicating over RS485, they can be up to 1km from the nearest PC. RS232 links are also supported.

The Microlink 3000 series is a frame-based system into which you place the modules of your choice. This unrivalled flexibility allows you to connect almost any instrument or transducer to a PC. The Microlink 3000 OPC servers communicate over either RS232 or RS485.

Biodata
p109@industrialnetworking.co.uk