New I/O Processors from Opto 22 Upgrade Legacy Digital I/O Systems to Ethernet

Upgraded "brains" bring Ethernet networking and PAC-based control to legacy mistic and Pamux G4 digital I/O systems.

Temecula, CA - September 17, 2012 - Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has released the G4D32EB2-UPG and G4EB2, two new I/O processors which allow automation professionals to upgrade a legacy mistic(tm) or Pamux(tm) G4 digital I/O system on a serial network to operate as part of a modern, Ethernet/TCP-based control system without needing to replace or modify existing I/O or field wiring. Upgrading a legacy I/O system like this is an economical strategy that preserves the investment of time and money made over many years in the I/O and field wiring.

The G4D32EB2-UPG and G4EB2 I/O processors are upgrades for legacy G4D32RS and B4 digital I/O processors, or "brains," used in legacy mistic and Pamux digital I/O systems, respectively. When upgraded with a new I/O processor, digital I/O points on the mistic or Pamux I/O system can be accessed over a standard, non-proprietary Ethernet network, and can be included as part of a control program running on an Opto 22 programmable automation controller (PAC) or as part of a custom software application running on a PC. The G4D32EB2-UPG and G4EB2 support multiple Ethernet protocols including OptoMMP, Modbus/TCP, and EtherNet/IP, and a standard TCP/IP interface is used with Opto 22 software development kits and developer toolkits.

Commitment to Supporting Legacy Products
In 1981, Opto 22 introduced Pamux, the first parallel addressable, expandable, and PC-based I/O system capable of multiplexing hundreds of points of digital I/O from a single microprocessor parallel port. Ten years later, in 1991, Opto 22 introduced mistic, the first complete PC-based control system using Cyrano(tm) software, powerful 32-bit controllers, the new mistic protocol, and a multi-function I/O system with software-selectable features. Both Pamux and mistic systems were widely adopted and deployed in automation applications worldwide.

Providing a practical and straightforward solution for integrating these legacy I/O systems-some more than 30 years old-with modern, Ethernet-based control systems demonstrates Opto 22's commitment to supporting its products, and its customers, for the long term. Longtime Opto 22 customer Don Osias with food processing integrator Woodside Electronics Corporation (WECO) in Woodland, CA, points out that "Opto 22 has provided, for many years, the type of control components I need to build and sell cost-effective sensing and automation equipment to my agricultural customers. Opto 22 has consistently provided the long-term support and backward-compatible upgrades that my customers require."

Upgrade Paths for G4 Digital I/O Systems
A legacy mistic digital I/O system can be upgraded to work with an Ethernet-based SNAP PAC System or a custom software application by replacing the original G4RS brain on the G4D32RS remote single mistic digital rack with a G4D32EB2-UPG kit. Also available is a complete I/O unit, the G4D32EB2, which is a physically identical Ethernet-based version of the older G4D32RS remote single mistic digital rack.

A legacy Pamux digital I/O system can be upgraded for use with an Ethernet-based SNAP PAC System or a custom software application by replacing the B4 brain on the G4PB32H or PB32HQ rack with a G4EB2 I/O processor. Note that the G4D32EB2-UPG and G4EB2 I/O processors do not use the mistic or Pamux protocols, but instead communicate with a SNAP PAC System or custom software application using Opto 22's open memory-mapped OptoMMP protocol. Also note that I/O system performance is different when a B4 brain is replaced with a G4EB2 I/O processor. The B4 brain is not being discontinued at this time.

About Opto 22
Opto 22 develops and manufactures hardware and software for applications involving industrial automation and control, energy management, remote monitoring, and data acquisition. Designed and made in the U.S.A., Opto 22 products have an established reputation worldwide for ease-of-use, innovation, quality, and reliability. Opto 22 products, which use standard, commercially available networking and computer technologies, are used by automation end-users, OEMs, and information technology and operations personnel in over 10,000 installations worldwide. The company was founded in 1974 and is privately held in Temecula, California, U.S.A. Opto 22 products are available through a global network of distributors and system integrators. For more information, visit www.opto22.com.

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