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Soft-Devices
Soft-DevicesA Soft-I/O Soft-Device™ is a configurable software component that solves a specific problem. When you couple this software configurability with Soft-I/O's hardware configurability, you have a powerful combination that allows you to specify which sensor or actuator you want to use, hook it up electrically, and instantly have all the device-level functionality built in to you Soft-I/O module. Types of Soft-DevicesSome Soft-Devices solve simple problems, like connecting a lighted push button, debouncing its switch, and flashing its light. How do you get Soft-Devices?A large number of Soft-Devices are built into every Soft-I/O module whey you buy it. Other Soft-Devices are available for download at the Soft-Device Store. Some are free while others are sold. The list of Soft-Devices is constantly growing, which means that your single part number Soft-I/O module and enhance it with new capability that lets you do more useful things with our magic box. Children categoriesDigital Input Soft-DevicesCompared to a PLC or other I/O product where you need to purchase a specific hardware module designed for the type of digital input that you are using, with Soft-I/O, it is all configured!
Soft-I/O supports either sourcing or sinking sensors, sometimes called positive logic and negative logic or PNP and NPN sensors. You simply use the Soft-I/O module setup page with your browser and set the type of circuit you need.
In addition, Soft-I/O supports industry standard 24VDC sensors or 5VDC TTL-level devices. Of course, because Soft-I/O can provide power on any pin, hooking up a three-wire proximity sensor could not be easier. Three wires, three pins. You are done! Compare that to the seven wires and additional power supply with a PLC or PAC. Soft-I/O has the advantage! View items... Digital Output Soft-DevicesSoft-I/O is unique in its ability to handle Inputs and Outputs. Inputs bring sensors into Soft-I/O. Outputs provide the action of the control system. Digital outputs supply power to actuate devices connected to Soft-I/O. Digital outputs can provide power at either 5 volts or 24 volts. Why are there different types of digital outputs? After all, with a PLC, "all digital outputs are digital outputs". Well, that's not exactly correct. With a PLC, you have to know if your output is sourcing or sinking. You have to buy the right output module to handle those different ones. And you have to know the voltage of the output. Not with Soft-I/O. But Soft-I/O goes beyond the idea of "digital output". After all, a light bulb is a very different DEVICE than a mechanical relay. You might want to dim a light bulb by using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). You can't do that with a relay. And a relay coil is an inductor which has a very different electrical behavior than a light bulb. Bottom line, Soft-I/O knows how to handle our digital outputs at a device level. Let's learn more! View items...Analog Input Soft-DevicesAnalog inputs come in a number of different levels, from the high-level +/- 10V range to the 0--75mV range in voltage. Analog current inputs can also be high level, such as 4--20mA or low level for bridge-type devices. Soft-I/O provides direct thermocouple or load cell connection. There is nothing like it in the world! View items...Analog Output Soft-DevicesWe may be in a digital world, but it's all analog underneath!While you can use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control some heaters, the on/off approach can have its limits.For example, let's say that you are controlling the output of a power supply used in a semiconductor application.The fastest and most precise method of modulating that power supply may be to present a voltage to the power supply input. Soft-I/O can generate accurate and precise voltages and currents to drive analog actuators.And, you have any-pin flexibility. What could be simpler? View items...Power Soft-DevicesUnlike old-style I/O where the I/O system cannot supply power, Soft-I/O will provide device power on any pin. Each pin can supply up to 12W, up to a total module rating of 100W! View items...Compound Soft-DevicesCompound Soft-Devices typically consume other simple Soft-Devices and add powerful functionality. These include items like PID controllers. View items... |