The Arduino Opta is a secure, easy-to-use micro-PLC with IIoT capabilities, designed in partnership with industrial and building automation specialist Finder. Ready-to-use Arduino sketches, tutorials and libraries make software development for the Opta easy and fast. Support for standard IEC 61131-3 PLC languages like ladder diagrams and the like are optional.
Even though its name may remind of a couch or table from a well-known Swedish furniture house, Opta is a new product from Arduino, its Pro division to be more precise. The Opta is a secure, easy-to-use micro-PLC with industrial IoT capabilities. It was designed in partnership with industrial and building automation specialist Finder. Opta helps to scale up automation projects while taking advantage of the open and widely known Arduino ecosystem.
The Arduino Opta has a lot of computing power, and therefore enables a wide range of real-time control, monitoring and predictive maintenance applications. Deploying the device is surprisingly easy thanks to the many available software libraries. Arduino Cloud or third-party services allow for secure remote control and over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.
Three Opta Variants
Targeted at automation systems installers, system integrators, machine builders, and manufacturing companies, the micro-PLC comes in three variants:
Lite with 10/100 Ethernet and USB-C ports
RS485: Opta Lite plus RS-485 connectivity
WiFi: all of the above plus Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Ready-to-use Arduino sketches, tutorials and libraries make software development for the Opta easy and fast. Support for standard IEC 61131-3 PLC languages like ladder diagrams and the like are optional.
Connectivity
The device integrates in existing systems with minimal effort as its connectivity options comprise Fieldbus integration via Modbus TCP (Ethernet) and Modbus RTU (RS-485) and also industrial IoT or IIoT via either cabled Ethernet or wireless over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE. The Arduino Opta WiFi.
Its connectivity also allows for real-time remote monitoring via Arduino Cloud dashboards or third-party services, and also enables firmware updates and device management. An onboard secure element ensures device security at the hardware level and compliance with the X.509 authentication standard.
Under the Hood
The Arduino Opta is housed in a practical DIN rail enclosure. Under the hood lives an STM32H747XI microcontroller combining an ARM Cortex-M7 core up to 480 MHz and a Cortex-M4 core up to 240 MHz in a single package. Besides processing power, storage space is also plentiful, with 1 MB of RAM and a total of up to 18 MB Flash memory. The PLC has four 250 VAC / 10 A relays that can switch loads up to 2.3 kW. Eight configurable digital/analog (0-10V) inputs provide connectivity for most sensors and switches.
Opta Applications
The Opta has many applications in industrial automation. Typical examples are conveyor belt management, time information gathering for automated labeling, real-time monitoring in manufacturing, automated anomaly detection and tank management. Building automation is also a great playground for the Arduino micro-PLC. One can think of roller blinds management and smart sun shield operation, energy monitoring and optimization and HVAC systems control.
The Arduino Opta is expected to be available for retail starting December 2022.
