Programmable automation controller

Programmable automation controller

A programmable automation controller (PAC) is a compact controller that combines the features and capabilities of a PC-based control system with that of a typical programmable logic controller (PLC). Therefore, the PAC features not only reliability as a PLC but flexibility and power as a PC at the same time. PACs are most often used in industrial settings for process control, data acquisition, remote equipment monitoring, machine vision, and motion control. Additionally, because they function and communicate over popular network interface protocols like TCP/IP, OLE for process control (OPC) and SMTP, PACs are able to transfer data from the machines they control to other machines and components in a networked control system or to application software and databases. Most important of all, the PAC is the core of automation. While there might be more and more fieldbus in a system, like RS-485, RS-232, RS-422, CAN, Ethernet etc, the PAC makes them seamless integrated with each other.

PAC Origins

The ARC Advisory Group, an analyst group focused on the manufacturing industry, is generally credited for popularizing the acronym "PAC". It was first coined in 2002 as a way to help users of control hardware better define their needs, and to give the leading control hardware vendors a term to more clearly communicate the capabilities of their products.

External links

* [http://www.icpdas.com/products/PAC/winpac/introduction.htm ICP DAS Windows CE PAC]
* [http://www.icpdas.com/products/PAC/lincon-8000/introduction.htm ICP DAS Real-time Linux PAC]
* [http://www.icpdas.com/products/PAC/i-7188_7186/i-7188_introduction.htm ICP DAS palm-sized PAC]
* [http://www.optomizeonline.com/videos PAC Systems Videos and Tutorials]
* [http://www.icpdas-usa.com/wincon_windows_ce_pac.html Windows CE PAC]
* [http://arcweb.com/Community/arcnews/arcnews.asp?ID=302 ARC Advisory Group Article on PACs]
* [http://www.schneider-electric.com/sites/corporate/en/products-services/automation-control/products-offer/range-presentation.page?c_filepath=/templatedata/Offer_Presentation/3_Range_Datasheet/data/en/shared/automation_and_control/modicon_m340.xml Schneider Electric M340 PAC ]
* [http://www.automationworld.com/articles/Departments/19.html "Plus-size Platform Gives Controller Bigger Name"]
* [http://www.ni.com/pac National Instruments PAC]
* [http://www.opto22.com/site/le_demos_demo8.aspx PAC FAQ (flash presentation)]
* [http://www.plctutor.com/ Programmable Automation Control]
* [http://www.etcorp.com/ ETCorp PAC]
* [http://www.advantech.com/ Advantech PAC]
* [http://www.moxa.com/ Moxa PAC]


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