Combining Omron s middleware called FINS Gateway and QNX real-time operating system, the product reduces time and cost to establish and maintain communications between various devices in DeviceNet, serial, or Ethernet industrial automation networks. Omron s Open Network Controller is both a gateway between networks and a controller in a distributed control system. We do recommend a dedicated Ethernet subnet in order to address the issues of reliability and determinism. UDP and other messaging methods may be more appropriate for a particular application. Different protocols run over Ethernet at the same time.
Ethernet gives people choices.
Functions like autodetect and autodiscovery are enabled. Control software can use this to show the programmer all the hardware in the system, enhancing configuration accuracy. Thus one scan can take the place of the usual four scans increasing speed. With future development, this packet could be sent over other networks, as well. This would be a powerful communication device.