Low Cost Single Board Programmable Controllers

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DCI is a value added distributor of Triangle Research Products

These units are great low cost OEM controller boards.  If you are an OEM in need of a controller that can handle not only ladder logic but also allow you to easily create your own custom developed functions in the familiar BASIC language, plus multiple communications ports, built in LCD display driver,  automatic Modbus (master and slave) and Omron protocol support, built in networking all at a low cost, the M-Series are what you have been looking for.  Far easier than you will ever find in an embedded controller!

The H Series is great for local logic control and remote operation as a slave device.  Fully ladder logic programmable these capable OEM baords can communicate with the M-Series or your own device via a simple ASCII based protocol over RS-232 or RS-485.

The E-Series is designed for very low cost stand alone applications.  These little units are fully ladder logic programmable complete with sequencers, counters, timers etc.  Perfect for replacing relay logic with 6 inputs and 4 outputs.

I. Introduction to Triangle Research International Pte Ltd

Relay-Ladder Logic is the most popular programming language used by all major makers of programmable controllers, such as Alan Bradley, Siemens and Omron. Unfortunately these controllers are typically highly priced and can only be programmed by expensive, proprietary programming software which are often also difficult to learn. On the other hand, low cost single-board computer (SBC) are only programmable in assembly language or C language and the programmers must fully understand the CPU architecture before they can even attempt to write the first line of code. Programs encoded in these languages are more difficult to write and to maintain by other people and typical electricians who do not have any knowledge of microcomputer programming would be at a loss when asked to maintain such control system.

Triangle Research we saw the need of developing a series of low cost, SBC-like controllers which are programmable in Relay-Ladder Logic language. Instead of first developing the controllers and then followed by designing some proprietary programming hardware/software for them (which is what most PLC manufacturers do), they first developed an extremely user-friendly software that runs on the industry standard IBM compatible PC platform before designing any PLC. In 1989 they launched TRiLOGI - a ladder logic editor, compiler and simulator. TRiLOGI is the industry's first standalone Relay-Ladder Logic learning tool with a built-in real-time on-screen simulator. With TRiLOGI’s simulator anyone could write ladder programs and immediately test them using just the keyboard and see the result of the action on screen. Today’s TRiLOGI is already a standard ladder logic learning tool used by a number of technical institutions in Singapore and Malaysia. In fact, many customers commented that programming using TRiLOGI can dramatically reduce programming time required for a project compared to programming with other PLC’s programming tools.

With a great programming tool in place, In 1991 TRI launched their first PLC - The T44H. With 28 Inputs and 16 Outputs, the T44H takes pride in being the industry's smallest and lowest-priced 44 I/O controller. In the same year more than a hundred T44Hs were acquired by Apple Computer Inc as the distributed controller of their high-tech FMS (flexible manufacturing system)-based Macintosh Assembly lines, in both their Singapore and Fountain Colorado Spring factories. To-date the first batch of T44H controllers are still running well and new units are often acquired when new machines are added to their FMS.

To cater to different customer requirement, they introduced the entire H-series ranging from the 22 I/O PLC with transistor I/Os- The T22H-npn to the 64 I/O PLC with opto-isolated inputs and relay outputs, the T64H-Relay.

In 1996, thanks to the advent of IC technology and innovative software development effort, They successfully developed the world first single chip Relay-Ladder Logic programmable controllers in an 18-pin IC package. With the new CPU they launched the world smallest Relay-Ladder Logic programmable controllers - the E10-npn. Measuring 5.4cm(L) x 5.4cm(W) x 2.0cm(H) and operate on 12 to 30V DC supply, the E10-npn takes up less than the space of a typical electro-mechanical relay, yet it incorporates 6 inputs, 4 high voltage high current outputs (DC 1A current per output), 8 internal relays, 4 timers, 4 counters and 1 sequencer. It is programmable by a special version of TRiLOGI - TLE33.EXE, which shares identical user interface and programming ease as the version for H-series PLC.

In 1997, they introduced a new sibling to the popular E10-npn: The E10-Relay which includes 4 voltage free relay outputs that can switch 2A current @250VAC. It also has built-in DC power supply which requires only a small 24V, 0.2A AC transformer to power it.

Now TRI has launched the latest star in PLC history: The M Series. Not only do the M Series programmable controllers comprise a whole arsenal of hardware that would suit almost any control needs, they also feature the industry's very first programming language that combines the best of LADDER LOGIC for on/off I/O controls and BASIC for data processing into one seamless programming. Compared to traditional PLC languages which force-fit some data processing job into ladder rungs, the integrated use of BASIC for data processing is much much more powerful, flexible and easy to program. You can download FREE TRiLOGI evaluation software which comprises a simulator that will let you test out this exciting new way of programming at no cost at all!

 II. Main Clientele List and Applications

The major names among TRI's clients include:

a) Apple Computer (USA & Singapore)
b) Honeywell
c) Philips
d) SGS Thomson
e) Asia Matsushita Training Centre
f) Intel (Penang)
g) Singapore Polytechnic
h) Western Digital
i) ER Mechatronics
j) Total Automation
k) Standard Engineering
l) Excel Automation (Penang)
m) Sony Precision Engineering
n) Grundig (Penang)

H-series are found in the following applications by TRI's clients:

a) embedded control in standard or custom-designed machines
b) control of conveyor systems
c) networked to manage large complex distributed control systems
d) security alarm monitoring system
e) elevator control
f) air-conditioning control panel
g) water treatment plant
h) Warning system on-board of ocean vessels.
i) Smoke candle control on-board aircraft for airshow.
k) Underground coal-mining machines.

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