Evaluation software for EtherCAT "PLC in a box" now available for download

In August, I introduced you to a brand new PLC reference platform created by Freescale, IsaGRAF, KPA, and QNX Software Systems. The purpose of the platform is simple: to provide a pre-integrated solution that can significantly reduce the time and cost of developing PLCs and other industrial systems.

Good news is, the software stack for the platform is now available for download. Here's what you get:

• ISaGRAF PLC firmware
• ISaGRAF 6 workbench for IEC 61499 and IEC 61131-3 standard PLC programming languages
• KPA EtherCAT master stack
• KPA EtherCAT Studio
• QNX Neutrino RTOS for the Freescale QorIQ P1025 tower module

To download the platform software, visit the QNX website — you'll need to set up a MyQNX account, if you haven't already. To run the platform software, you'll need a Freescale P1025 tower module, target slaves, and some software utilities. To learn how to obtain these components, visit the Freescale website.

New webinar: PLCs made easy

PLC reference platform
from Freescale, QNX,
ISaGRAF, and KPA

Okay, I'll admit it, creating anything of value is never that easy. The details always get in the way. But every once in a while, a tool comes by that can make your job easier. Not to mention faster.

That's the idea behind the new Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) reference platform from Freescale, QNX Software Systems, ISaGRAF, and KPA. By pre-integrating EtherCAT software, PLC firmware, and a realtime OS on a dual-core processor, the platform allows design engineers to spend less less time on underlying plumbing — which means they can get to the application stage sooner. And who can argue with sooner?

If you'd like to know more about this new platform, check out the upcoming webinar hosted by Chris Ault, a product manager at QNX, and John Ralston, a system architect at Freescale. Here are the coordinates:

PLC Made Easy: A Day in the Life of Developing a Pre-Integrated EtherCAT Programmable Logic Controller

Tuesday, December 4; 11:00 am to 12:00 noon EDT

Registration: Open Systems Media