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March 2011
SoftPLC & TOPDOC
Versions
x.6 now released!
TOPDOC version 1.6 provides a number of new features, including:
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Added GUI Smart Tealware I/O configuration editor
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Added GUI Modbus Master/Slave serial configuration
editors
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Enhanced ModbusTCP configuration editor to support
Smart Adapters
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Updated Detect On Net to recognize Ethernet I/O
adapters and display their TCP/IP addresses
SoftPLC version 4.6 is a major upgrade that also
includes a major upgrade to Gatecraft Linux (the operating system on
your SoftPLC's). The key enhancement was a restructuring of how we
build the system, which adds a "Package Manager" capability. This
provides an easy remote upgrade capability for your SoftPLC's.
If you are not familiar with Package
Managers, you can learn about them at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Package_management_system.
We will be establishing a repository on the internet
from which customers under support will be able to get updates to SoftPLC, Gatecraft Linux,
and also TLM's such as drivers and new loadable instructions.
The SoftPLC Programmers Toolkit has also been
upgraded to support SoftPLC version 4.6.
Contact SoftPLC technical
support at support@softplc.com
for more information on the upgrades and procedures to update your
products.
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SoftPLC Finds a Parking Space
SoftPLC systems are being used for a city-wide parking
lot information system in Taipei, Taiwan. SoftPLC controllers
monitor each public parking facility and continuously keep track of
open parking spaces. Scrolling marquee signs located at important
road intersections display parking space availability at nearby
facilities.
The information is also updated at the city's web server, and drivers
can check the parking lot information with a mobile phone through WAP
service. A java interface between the SoftPLC's at each parking
lot and the Oracle database that provides the website information was a
key part of this system.
SoftPLC was chosen for this application for a number of
reasons:
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Large I/O capacity to connect the many sensors
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Powerful string handling functions to easily
generate dynamic marquee messages
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Ability to interface to marquees from a wide variety
of suppliers and over multiple network types
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Ability of the SoftPLC controller to interface
directly to the Oracle database
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Database programming is uniform regardless of the
specific sensors or signs used
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