What is SoftPLC®?

What is SoftPLC®? In its simplest form, it is a software technology that turns an embedded computer into a full-function Programmable Automation Controller (PAC). SoftPLC combines the PID, discrete and analog I/O control of PLC's with the high-performance data handling, computational and networking capabilities of computers.

SoftPLC provides:

  • A powerful instruction set and 'unlimited' user program and data table memory
  • Extremely fast, deterministic program scan time
  • Reliable operation, and
  • An open architecture platform for connection to a wide variety of I/O systems, other devices and networks.

SoftPLC runs on an embedded Linux operating system distribution developed by SoftPLC Corporation. Our Gatecraft(TM) Linux is based on the latest 2.6 Linux kernel and has been optimized for industrial control applications.   

Unlike many PC control software products, SoftPLC doesn't put your control system at risk by running on Windows or Windows "band-aids" to achieve real-time control. Microsoft has stated that Windows NT is not real-time. SoftPLC is.   return

SoftPLC Feature Summary:

Hardware/Operation: Runs as an embedded 32 bit realtime multi-tasking 'kernel' on x86 compatible CPU platforms, other CPU's may also be supported, Is independent of hardware bus. e.g.: ISA, PCI, PC/104, VME and others, Minimal hardware requirements for low cost, high reliability (eg: no rotating drives, monitor, etc.)

Capacity: Controls over 16K I/O - Supports digital, analog, and specialty I/O. Mix up to 16 I/O systems on a single SoftPLC controller. Up to 36 COM ports to serial devices for ASCII communications, 32 user configurable communication channels (network, data paths) for data or program logic access from other computer applications or PLC's, Over 100 Million data table elements, Huge application programs: over 100,000 rungs of logic!

Application Programming: SLC-500/PLC-5 "like" ladder logic, Supports user-developed loadable functions that can be written in C, C++, or Java language, On-line run mode program changes and I/O forcing, Program documentation (tagnames, rung comments, etc.) are stored in the SoftPLC, Programmed with TOPDOC® which provides a wide range of development, documentation and on-line troubleshooting features, Runs imported/converted Allen-Bradley PLC-5, SLC-500, PLC-3, PLC-2, or PLC (1774) programs

Special Features: Embedded Web Server provides a number of powerful functions for data sharing, manipulation, remote monitoring/maintenance, and more, Embedded Java Virtual Machine (JVM) provides ability for SoftPLC to run Java language programs and functions, Built-in FTP and SSH Servers provides for remote maintenance, automated backups, and more, Embedded Firewall provides for secure ethernet and internet connections

System Requirements: The minimum hardware and software required for a SoftPLC system are: 386 or better compatible CPU, 32MB RAM memory, 64MB disk, normally FLASH, but other drive types work too, Ethernet port, Parallel or USB port, (user specified) I/O Interface Card(s) or port(s), (user specified) other communications port(s) (e.g.: COM ports)    return