BR-Automation Automation PC 820, User Manual, Page: 231 / 252

Appendix A • Glossary
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between controllers, operating and monitoring systems, field devices and office applications
from different manufacturers. This development is promoted by the OPC Foundation, which is
made up of over 200 companies from around the world, including Microsoft and other leading
companies. Nowadays, OPC is also interpreted as a synonym for Openness, Productivity and
Connectivity, symbolizing the new possibilities that this standard opens up.
OPC server
The missing link between connection modules for the Interbus and the visualization application.
It communicates serially with the connection modules via the ISA or PCI bus or Ethernet.
Panel
A common term for B&R display units (with or without keys).
Panelware
A generic term given for standard and special keypad modules offered by B&R.
PC Card
Registered trademark of PCMCIA for add-on cards conforming to PCMCIA specifications.
PCI bus
Abbreviation for » P eripheral C omponent I nterconnect Bus«; Developed by INTEL as an
intermediary/local bus for the latest PC generation. It is basically a synchronous bus. The main
clock of the CPU is used for synchronization. The PCI bus is microprocessor-independent, 32-
bit and 64-bit compatible, and supports both 3.3 V and 5 V cards and devices.
PCMCIA
An abbreviation for " P ersonal C omputer M emory C ard I nternational A ssociation". An association
of manufacturers and dealers who are dedicated to the cultivation and further development of
common standards for peripheral devices based on PC cards with a slot for such cards. PC
cards are mainly used for laptops, palmtops (and other portable computers), and intelligent
electronic devices. Version 1 of the PCMCIA standard was introduced in 1990.
PICMG
PCI Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group; Goal; Use of commercial PCI bus for industrial
environments, especially CompactPCI bus (
www.picmg.org ).
PLC
Programmable Logic Controller; Computer-based control device that functions using an
application program. The application program is relatively easy to create using standardized
programming languages [IL, FBD, LAD, AS, ST]. Because of its serial functionality, reaction
times are slower compared to connection-oriented control. Today, PLCs are available in device
families with matched modular components for all levels of an automation hierarchy.
P