AAS FlexPLC Control System

FlexPLC Hardware:

Automated Aquarium Systems has created a Flexible, User Configurable, Programmable Logic Controller that can easily be customized by almost anyone. Within an hour of unpacking the system and reading the FlexPLC Users Manual you can be monitoring, controlling and automating many of your aquarium system components. FlexPLC brings to the Aquariust one of the most powerful and easy to use Aquarium Control Systems available. The FlexPLC system is built around a RISC Based PIC Microcontroller with on board A/D converter, EEPROM non-volatile memory, and a Real-Time Clock. The FlexPLC has; 4-Inputs, 4-Outputs, 4-Timers, and 48-Clock Events/day, all of which you can combine in any way you desire to create a system that provides automation, control, monitoring and alarming.

FlexPLC Software:

The FlexPLC Configuration Utility Software is what makes FlexPLC so easy to use that practically anyone can configure the controller in no time. The Windows Graphical User Interface(GUI) Software guides you through a 3-step configuration process. No programming experience is required. All you have to do is point and click your Mouse. These 3 easy steps are as follows: 1- Define a set of Control Rules. 2- Check the Rules are correct. 3- Download the Rules to the FlexPLC. Once done, you disconnect the PC and FlexPLC runs all by itself. A true Stand-Alone Real Time controller.

How is this done? AAS has adopted a concept of "Rule Based Logic" whereby the user simply specifies "Causes" and "Effects", assembling them into a number of "Rules". The Software is designed to permit the user to construct rules by simply pointing and clicking their mouse and by navigating through simple dialog boxes and drop down menus. Once the user becomes familiar with the tools, then the rules can be constructed easily and efficiently without any knowledge of the internal workings of the various FlexPLC hardware components.

We apply this high-level design environment to the FlexPLC by permitting these Rules to be run, embedded into the EEPROM of the FlexPLC system. This is accomplished by our software that compiles the high-level rules into an embedded application which is downloaded into the FlexPLC EEPROM via the PC's Serial Port. A Windows '95/98 PC is required for development of the FlexPLC Rules, but not for FlexPLC operation. So you simply connect the PC's serial port through the Serial Interface Module to the FlexPLC, develop the application by building a Rules Table, then download your Rules Table into the FlexPLC which is then disconnected from your PC and applied to your control application

FlexPLC Inputs (Sensors):

The FlexPLC gets its input logic from switch sensors placed in and around your Aquarium system. A switch sensor is simply any switch that is in either ian closed or open state in response to what it's senses. Such parameters as water presence, water level, water flow, PIR motion, Air Temperature etc... can all be sensed. Switch sensors will always be in one of two possible states(open/closed) when your system is operating normally. When any abnormal condition exist that same switch sensor will toggle to the opposite state(closed/open). FlexPLC can easily be configured by the user to respond to these Open/Closed Input "events" by turning one or more of it's 4 outputs to ON or OFF. AAS sells many switch sensors for monitoring such parameters as; Flow, Level, Pressure, Motion, Vibration, Temperature, and more... or you can use your own sensors, just ask AAS if you need assistance with your application.

FlexPLC Real-Time Clock:

The FlexPLC has an on-board battery backed Real Time Clock. The clock is set in the software everytime you reconfigure your FlexPLC with your computer. The software will use your computers time and date settings to program the clock on the FlexPLC when you download your custom configuration. The FlexPLC's clock provides another one of the possible "events" that you may select the controller to respond to. What this means is that you can have FlexPLC turn ON and OFF any 120VAC system component that is plugged into one of the FlexPLC outputs based on a time of day and at a leter time turn it off too, up to 48 times/day. This is great for periodic chemical dosing, automated water changes, lighting control and much more...

FlexPLC Timers:

The FlexPLC has 4 on-board Timers. These timers provide another one of the possible "events" that you may select the controller to respond to. What this means is that you can have FlexPLC toggle ON and then OFF any 120VAC system component that is plugged into one of the FlexPLC outputs based on a a preset time interval. The Timer is set in HH:MM:SS format, so you have a range of cycling time from as little as 1 sec ON/OFF up to a maximum period of 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. The ON time is always equal to the OFF time when you use the Timer events. This is great for periodic chemical dosing, CO2 injection, Wavemaker pumps, and much more...

FlexPLC Outputs (Controls):

The FlexPLC has 4 - 120VAC Output Sockets. These outputs provide a place for you to connect any 120VAC system component that you wish the FlexPLC to control. AAS can also convert these 120V outputs as standard NC/NO Relay outputs or as Digital Logic Drive Outputs if you prefer, or in any combination of the 3 output types as your application may require. Please specify when you order your FlexPLC and AAS will try our best to accomodate your needs. These outputs provide a convienient centralized location for creating your own automated control solution.

Summary:

FlexPLC's magic is in the Configuration Utility Software. It is this software that makes the powerfull FlexPLC so versatile and easy to use. Anyone who's familiar with the standard Windows User Interface can easily configure FlexPLC. If you can point and click a mouse, make logical decisions on what you wish to monitor and/or control, then you can use FlexPLC to create your own Aquarium Automation Solutions. Order your FlexPLC today and take the first step toward automating your Aquarium Systems.