CNTRLR_C1 netPLC Controller module

Blue Button's Chameleon netPLC CNTRLR_C1 Controller is the completely redesigned flagship netPLC Controller (replacing the RP2040 Controller). It incorporates a 150MHz dual core RP2350 providing a full suite of communications features (Ethernet, WiFi, and LoRa), an micro SD card socket and a dedicated HMI (Human Machine Interface uart), an AI uart to allow an AI engine for control or access and an undedicated AUX uart. A second microcontroller (RP2040) provides intelligent ADC, DAC, high current drivers and GPIO.  

netPLC controllers can be linked directly to up to 31 Extender modules up to 1000 feet (300m) away via the highly reliable high speed RS485 system connector. Any expanded IO using I2C or SPI has inches of range at best, and does not have a closed loop interface - essential for mission critical industrial use.

netPLC Controllers are compatible with the Arduino IDE and other development platforms. The redesign of the netPLC series primarily meant the removal of I2C based port expanders and replacing them with microcontrollers.  All netPLC now use direct RP2040 microcontroller pins for all IO functions. This allows a fully object oriented architecture with every IO pin seen as a software object, and IO activity 'Events' made known to the user's application code, virtually eliminating polling. 

Blue Button is currently developing a netPLC management system that will allow a totally secure way to download upgrades of the preprogrammed Extender Modules, and user control programs to any system's netPLC Controller module. Currently updates are effected using a system controller module's SD card, or the user code directly during development via the USB programming connector.

Specs & Features

• RP2350 and RP2040 microcontollers in the form of Raspberry PICO2W and PICO modules.
  
• WiFi (internal and optional external antenna), Ethernet (RJ45), micro SD card and three user uarts (HMI, AI and AUX), micro USB port for programming and user functions
  
• 3 x intelligent ADC 0-10V inputs with automatic user unit conversion and fast algorithmic averaging providing 5 significant digits 
• 2 x DAC 0-5V outputs with 13 bit resolution
• 5 x Open Drain diode protected 2amp outputs
  
• 11 x intelligent GPIO channels
• Micro USB programming port for Arduino and other development platforms
• 8V to 30V reverse-protected power connectors
• FCC, CE, and RoHS compliant
• choose between DIN Rail or Panel Mount 
• LoRa Kit: will be available to upgrade module to access future LoRa modules 
  

Why Chameleon netPLC?

Future proof your automation or machines with rock solid, updateable, remotely manageable state of the art hardware. Avoid supply chain issues with acclaimed UK designed and worldwide manufactured processor modules; one of the most widely supported and used types of microcontrollers in the world, 

Blue button does not provide just hardware devoid of support, but a state of the art platform with overkill performance AND and the most simple, but powerful user programming environment available through Blue Button's free netOS.  With just only two functions netRead and netWrite a user can easily access any IO pin in a system within 0.5mS.  All IO channels are software objects to the user's code.  The have properties to control their state and Event functions, and methods to provide exotic functions like creating bit streams without main microcontroller intervention.

Intelligent IO has replaced legacy IO ports cutting development time and costs.  User control programs are simpler to create and maintain.  Module initialization is by downloadable scripts.  AI has equally powerful access using script commands to access any system IO. Currently netOS is likely the greatest leap forward in lowering PLC development and lifetime ownership costs, while maintaining competitive prices