Updated Sep. 24, 2003 — Raditex AB is shipping a modular control device for the industrial control and building automation markets that the company says provides an inexpensive, open alternative to special hardware and control buses with high license fees. With open source drivers, control apps and libraries, the Raditex IP/IO module offers an efficient and reliable way to control industrial equipment, according to Raditex.

The IP/IO module is based on a PIC 16F877 microcontroller running at 20MHz without extra RAM or an operating system. It is controlled by Ethernet from another system, “most often an embedded Linux system,” according to Göran Hasse, CEO of Raditex. “The whole idea is to have an open soruce library at the controlling computer. So you should regard the Ethernet wire as used instead of a USB, or
other local bus.”

The control protocol is a simple call and response system with UDP packets over IP that Raditex says is suitable for use on public networks with firewall protection. The company has a nifty online demonstration application.

Raditex IP/IO module, suitable for mounting on a DIN-rail

Raditex says its IP/IO module can be plugged into an ordinary PC-LAN network. Existing, supplied open source control applications for Windows or Linux can be used or customized without special tools. Custom applications may be developed using the free open source IP/IO communication library.

Configured with four relays, four digital in/out ports, four digital-to-analog converters, and four out ports adjustable from 0-10 Volts (voltages typical in building automation applications), the IP/IO is priced at 280 Euro plus VAT, shipping and handling (depending on country). The IP/IO runs on 12 Volts.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.