ProSoft PC56-OPC Product Description

PC56-OPC is a rack-mounted industrial control computer (In-Rack PC) developed by ProSoft specifically for the Rockwell ControlLogix platform. It is equipped with an OPC server and can directly access PLC data through the ControlLogix backplane at high speed. It also provides a standard OPC interface for the upper-level system, enabling seamless integration between the control system and information software. 

I. Model Analysis

PC56: ControlLogix rack-mounted industrial PC series

OPC: Pre-installed OPC Server (Data Access Server)

Core Positioning: Direct connection via ControlLogix backplane, zero network dependency, OPC DA standard interface, Windows system, embedded non-fanless, single slot, high-speed data gateway

II. Core Hardware Specifications

Compatible Platforms

ControlLogix full series (1756 backplane)

Single-slot installation, supports local / remote rack

Backplane current: 1A @ 5.1VDC

System Configuration

Processor: 500MHz low-power industrial-grade CPU

Memory: 4GB DDR SDRAM

Storage: Industrial-grade electronic disk (Flash)

Battery backup SRAM: 512KB (data retention during power loss)

Display: 4-character alphanumeric display (status diagnosis)

Operating System: Windows XP Embedded (embedded, stable and reliable)

Interfaces and Ports (Total 10)

Ethernet: 2 × 10/100M RJ45 (supports redundancy)

USB: 4 × USB 2.0 (external device expansion)

Serial Port: 2 × RS-232 (DB9)

Video: 1 × VGA (external display)

Keyboard / Mouse: 1 × PS/2

Protocols and Functions

Core Service: OPC DA Server (OPC Data Access Standard)

Data Channel: Direct access via ControlLogix backplane (no need for Ethernet)

Connection Capability: Supports 30+ concurrent OPC client connections

Data Point Capacity: 10,000+ tags (Bool/Int/Float all types)

Data Mapping: Automatic mapping from PLC tags to OPC addresses

Hot Swap: Supports ControlLogix hot swap (live installation)

LED Status: OK, BP (backplane), COM, ERR, operating status

Environment and Certification

Operating Temperature: 0°C ~ +60°C

Storage Temperature: -40°C ~ +85°C

Humidity: 5% ~ 95% (no condensation)

Vibration Resistance: 30g (running), 50g (non-running)

Certification: CE, UL/cUL, RoHS, ATEX

III. Core Functions and Performance

1. OPC Server (Core Function)

Standard OPC DA Interface: Compatible with all OPC clients (WinCC, iFix, InTouch, Configuration Manager, Kepware)

Backplane High-speed Access: Data transmission delay < 5ms (far superior to Ethernet communication)

Zero Network Dependency: Local PLC does not require Ethernet, physical isolation, safe and stable

Large Capacity Tags: Supports 10,000+ tags, meeting large-scale systems

Concurrent Connections: 30+ clients can read and write simultaneously, multi-system parallel monitoring

Data Types: Supports Bool, Int, DInt, Float, String, Timer, Counter

2. ControlLogix System Integration

Single-slot Embedded: Does not occupy control cabinet space, no fan, no hard disk (pure solid state)

Backplane Direct Connection: High-speed data exchange with PLC processor (no network bottleneck)

Plug and Play: New modules do not modify PLC program, does not affect control logic

Full Status Mapping: Module status, OPC connection, data quality → PLC tags

Remote Access: Supports remote rack, unified data collection for distributed systems

3. Industrial-level Reliability Fanless Design: Dust-proof, shock-resistant, MTBF > 500,000 hours

Solid-state Storage: No mechanical hard drives, shock-resistant, low power consumption

Battery Backup: 512KB SRAM for data retention on power loss

Dual Network Interface Redundancy: Automatic switching in case of Ethernet failure, zero communication interruption

Wide Temperature, Isolation: Adapted to industrial field environments

4. Configuration and Management

Configuration Tool: ProSoft Configuration Builder (PCB)

Visual label mapping, OPC security, client permissions

Web Diagnosis: Built-in Web server, remote status monitoring

Log Recording: Communication logs, error records, connection history

Firmware Upgrade: Remote/Local firmware update, continuous function enhancement

Four. Core Advantages

1. High-speed OPC Data Gateway

Backplane Direct Connection: Speed is 5-10 times faster than Ethernet

Zero Network Dependency: Physical isolation, absolutely secure

Standard OPC DA: 100% compatible with all upper computer software

Large Capacity, High Concurrency: Satisfies large SCADA systems

2. Deep Optimization of ControlLogix

Single Slot, Hot Swap: Plug-and-play, zero downtime installation

Zero PLC Programming: No modification of control program, lowest risk

Independent Processor: Does not occupy PLC scanning time

Remote Rack Support: Unified collection for distributed systems

3. Industrial-grade Embedded PC

Windows XP Embedded: Stable, maintenance-free, few viruses

Fanless, Solid-state Storage: 100% industrial-grade reliability

Dual Network Interface, Multiple Serial Ports: Full interface coverage, strong scalability

Global Certification: CE, UL, ATEX international certifications

4. Information Integration Tool

PLC ↔ SCADA Seamless Bridge

Informational Upgrade of Old Systems

MES, ERP Data Collection

Data Sharing and Centralized Monitoring of Multiple Systems

Five. Typical Application Scenarios

ControlLogix Access to SCADA: OPC standard interface, zero programming integration

MES/ERP Data Collection: High-speed, stable acquisition of PLC production data

Shared Data by Multiple Upper Computers: 30+ client parallel access

Renovation of Old Systems: Retain ControlLogix, rapid informatization upgrade

Remote Monitoring: Dual network interface redundancy, secure remote data access

Distributed Control: Unified data collection by multiple racks, centralized monitoring

Six. Summary

PC56-OPC is the industrial-grade standard solution for OPC data integration on the ControlLogix platform. With core advantages such as backplane direct connection for high-speed access, zero network dependency, standard OPC DA interface, embedded fanless design, single-slot hot swap, 4GB memory, 500MHz processor, dual network interface redundancy, 10,000+ tag capacity, 30+ concurrent connections, deep integration of ControlLogix, zero PLC load, industrial-grade reliability, it is a high-performance, highly reliable, one-stop embedded industrial control computer module for implementing OPC data interconnection on the ControlLogix platform.