UniStream System Overview

Unitronics' UniStream control platform provides robust, flexible solutions for industrial automation.

Whether your application requires a single PLC to automate a simple machine, or a large-scale distributed system of powerful controllers, I/Os, and quality HMI panels, UniStream offers a product, or a combination of products to suit your needs.

UniStream is available in three series:

• UniStream Modular All-in-One series
  The UniStream Modular system comprises CPU controllers, HMI panels in different dimensions, I/O modules, and communication modules, which you snap together to create an All-in-One controller with the HMI panel size and I/O configuration to match your application requirements. They are panel-mounted.
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  The following pictures and descriptions are used to show the concepts and general principles of the UniStream Modular hardware. For exact descriptions, specifications, installation, etc., please refer to the documentation of the specific device.

   

  CPUs

  UniStream CPUs snap to the back of HMI Panels. HMI panels are available in different sizes and resolutions. In addition to the CPU, I/O and COM modules also snap to the back of the HMI panel. UniStream CPUs offer the following communication ports: RS485 CANbus I/O connector for local I/O modules

  HMI Panels

  UniStream HMI panels provide operator interfaces within the UniStream system.

  A panel provides the physical base for a PLC + HMI integrated controller. The back of the panel is molded in the shape of a DIN rail. This provides the physical support for:

  • A CPU controller

  • I/O modules

  • COM modules

  Panel, Front View	Panel, Rear View, PLC snapped in

  UniStream HMI panels come in varying dimensions. They offer the following jacks and ports: 1 Audio-out jack 1 Micro-SD slot 2 Type A, USB ports, high speed 1 Type mini B USB port, high speed (for PC-PLC communication tasks such as programming) 2 Ethernet ports, RJ-45, 10/100MHz Embedded Audio outlets to serve the panel’s embedded speakers The screens are high resolution, resistive touch screens. For more details, refer to the product's specification sheet.

   

  I/O Modules

  Local I/O Modules are snapped onto a UniStream HMI Panel. The number of modules depends on the size of the panel; larger panels accommodate more I/O modules. Local Expansion Kits are available by separate order. When you add these to the configuration, you can add additional modules that can be located on a DIN-rail.
  You can integrate Remote I/Os via : URB Remote I/O via Ethernet (UniStream Remote I/O) The EX-RC1 module

  Communications

  In a UniStream network, devices communicate via a proprietary communications protocol based on Ethernet. The distance between devices is limited to 100m.

  In addition to the on-board COM ports, you can add Ethernet and serial ports via Uni-COM™ modules, available by separate order.

  You can establish PC-controller communication for programming, OS download, and Online test mode either via USB or remotely via network connection.

• UniStream Built-in: PLC + HMI + I/Os
  These compactly designed controllers are available with screens of different dimensions and with a broad range of built-in I/O configurations. They are panel-mounted.
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  The series is available in two versions: UniStream 5" & UniStream 7", and UniStream 5" & UniStream 7" Pro. Note that a model number that includes:

  • B5 refers to UniStream Built-in (e.g. US5-B5-RA28/ US7-B5- RA28)
  • B10 refers to UniStream Built-in Pro (e.g. US5-B10- RA28/ US7-B10- RA28)
    B10 models offer additional features, detailed below.

  This series is available in a broad range of built-in I/O configurations with HMI panels of different dimensions, and in Standard (B5) and Pro (B10) models. Note the differences listed below.

  		Standard (B5)	Pro (B10)
  Ports	Audio Jack	No	Yes
  Communication	Web Server	No	Yes
  	Video + RTSP	No	Yes
  	SQL Client	No	Yes

   

   

• UniSteam PLC: PLC without an integrated HMI panel
  The UniStream PLC is a line of PLC + Built-in I/O controllers that are mounted on a DIN-rail. Unlike other UniStream Controllers, this controller does not include a built-in HMI screen.
  All UniStream PLCs can display HMI screens via 'Virtual HMI'. This means that you design your HMI application in UniLogic in exactly the same way as for any other UniStream controller. You can display the HMI on:

• UniStream Displays (USL), included in this release. UniStream Displays are a series of color touch-screens that support VNC

• UniStream Modular HMI panels (USP)

• UniStream Built-in (on the panels integral to the device)

• Any device screen that supports VNC
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  The UniStream PLC is a line of PLCs with built-in I/Os that may be mounted on a DIN-rail. Unlike other UniStream Controllers, does not include a built-in HMI screen.

  This PLC is appropriate for applications that need UniStream power and functionality, but that either do not require an HMI application, or that require a distributed HMI.

  All UniStream PLCs support Virtual HMI--they can display HMI screens which you design in UniLogic in exactly the same way as for any other UniStream controller. You can display the HMI screens on:

  • UniStream Displays (USL), included in this release. UniStream Displays are a series of color touch-screens that support VNC.

  • UniStream Modular HMI panels (USP)

  • UniStream Built-in (on the panels integral to the device)

  • Any device screen that supports VNC

  
  The series is available in three versions: Pro, Standard, and Basic.

  Note that a model number that includes:

  • B10 refers to Pro version (e.g. USC-B10-T24)

  • B5 refers to Standard version (e.g. USC-B5-RA28)

  • B3 refers to Basic version (e.g. only for USC-B3-T20)

  When you select your UniStream model in Hardware Configuration, only relevant options are available in UniLogic.

  The following features are not supported by UniStream PLCs:

  • Video

  • Audio (including Buzzer)

  Differences between B10, B5, and B3
  Feature	B10 Pro	B5 Standard	B3 Basic
  I/O Expansion via Uni-I/O	Yes		No
  Remote I/O Expansion via Ethernet I/O Adapter (URB)	Up to 8		1
  VFD	32		2
  MicroSD	Yes		No*
  Add-on COM modules	3		2
  System Memory	6GB	3GB	3GB
  MODBUS Slaves	Unlimited		Up to 8
  Ethernet/IP Scanners	16		1
  Ethernet/IP Adapters	32		8
  Web Server	Yes	No	No
  SQL Client	Yes	No	No
  MQTT	Yes
  PID Loops	64		2
  Data Sampler/Trends	Yes		No
  CSV files: creating/ reading	Yes		No
  FTP, server/client	Yes		No
  Saving Data Tables to SD	Yes		No*
  Screenshots	Yes		No
  Sending email attachments	Yes		No
  USB device (programming port)	Yes		No**

  This UniStream PLC feature enables the user to carry out certain task without the need to interact with the PLC via an HMI panel.

  Programmers can create Action files in UniLogic and save them to a USB mass storage device, such as a flash drive. The end user can plug the drive into the PLC's USB port, and then press the Confirm button on the front of the PLC to run the file and execute the Actions. Actions include updating firmware and network settings, downloading applications, extracting log files and more and more.

  Data	Read Data Samples Read Data Tables Read Retained Memory Write Retained Memory
  Logs	Read System Logs Read Alarms Log
  Updates	Update PLC Application Update Firmware
  Communication	Read Network Settings Write Panel IP Write CPU IP Write DNS Settings
  VNC Passwords	Full Access Read only
  PLC Passwords	Add PLC Password Use Default Password Overwrite Current Password

   

  In order for Actions to execute, the PLC must have permission. USB Action Permissions are set in the UniLogic project, and are written to the PLC at download.

  Set Permissions and Create the File

  1. Set Permissions: in Hardware Configuration, click Define allowed USB Actions, and check the Actions you want to allow the PLC to execute.
     
     

  2. Create the file: check all the desired Actions, and save the file.

  Note	If you select Write Retained Memory, you need to browse to the location of the .hex file that contains the Write data. Do not rename this file.

   

  

  Copy all of the files that are created by the tool, and place them in the root folder of the USB storage drive. Note that the USBF.xml file determines  the Actions that will run.

  You can create Action files that are limited to run on a specific PLC, by renaming the USBF.xml file to include the PLC's serial number, found on a sticker on the PLC's side. The accompanying image shows the serial number U4RF0A00012. Renaming a USBF.xml file as USBF_U4RF0A00012.xml will limit the files to run only on this PLC.

   

  Executing the Action Files

  Confirm button: when the following instructions direct you to press the Confirm button, note that this means a simple, quick, press &release. Do not hold the button down.

   

  1. Open the PLC's top door, and plug the USB drive into the PLC's USB port.

  2. The PLC detects the USB drive, and checks the file; if the file is validated, the USB light turns a steady green.

  3. Press the Confirm button on the front of the PLC to run the file and execute the Actions.

  4. When the files starts running, the USB LED begins to blink, and blinks while the Actions are in progress.

  5. Monitor the LED indications:

  1. If the Actions were executed successfully, the USB LED will be steady green. If the Actions require PLC reset, the RUN LED will blink green; press the Confirm button to restart the system.
     Note that after restart, the PLC will be in Run mode

  2. If the Actions did not execute successfully, the Error LED will also blink red; disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error. See the Error section below.

  Action Logs

  The PLC creates a time stamped Action log folder on the USB root.

  This folder contains:

  • Files of data that have been read by the PLC; for example; the result of Read Network Settings will create a file

  • An Action log file, showing how Actions were executed. Note that if an Action fails to execute, the PLC proceeds to the next Action.

  

   

  Errors

  If the USBF.xml file does not pass validation, the Error LED blinks red, and the PLC creates a time stamped log file on the root of the USB drive. An example, which assumes that the file was manually edited, is shown in the following image.

  A complete table of LED indications is in the next section.

  

   

  UniStream PLC LED Indications

  The following tables summarize USB and Error indications.

  USB Actions LED Indications
  LED, Color & State
  RUN	ERROR	USB	Indication
  		Green On	This LED turns steady green: when a USB drive detected with valid Action file(s), indicating that you can press CONFIRM to begin running them. when the files on the USB ran successfully.
  		Green blink	USB Action in progress.
  Green blink		Green On	USB Action requires reset; press CONFIRM to restart system
  	Red blink	Off	USB drive detected, but contains corrupt Action file(s)
  	Red blink	Green ON	USB Action ran with error – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error.

   

  LED Indications
  I/O LEDs	Color	Indication
  Digital Input	Green	Input state
  Analog Input	Red	On: Input value is in Overflow
  Relay and Transistor Output	Green	Output state
  Status LEDs	Color & State		Indication
  RUN	Green	On	Run mode
  		Blink	This indication is in conjunction with the USB LED. See table below, USB Actions Indications, for details
  	Orange	On	Start-up mode
  		Blink	Stop mode
  ERROR	Red	On/Blink	The Error LED can give indications in conjunction with the RUN and/or USB LED. See the next tables Error Indications and USB Actions Indications for details
  USB	Green	On	A USB drive is detected that contains valid action file(s).
  		Blink	USB Action in progress
  BATT. LOW	Red	On	Battery is low or missing
  FORCE	Red	On	I/O Force on
  Error Indications	LED, Color & State
  	RUN	ERROR	USB	Indication
  		Red blink	Off	One or more of the Actions in the USBF.xml file is corrupt – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error
  		Red blink	On	One or more of the Actions in the USBF.xml Action has failed – disconnect the USB drive to dismiss the error
  		Red blink	On	HW Configuration Mismatch – the HWC in the UniLogic application does not match the Uni-I/O modules physically connected to the PLC
  	Orange blink	Red blink		Application Invalid  or Version Mismatch (UniLogic version is not supported by device firmware)
  		Red On		Uni-I/O Error (check wiring connections)
  	Orange blink	Red On		OS/Application error

   

   

VFDs

Unitronics' full range of VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) work seamlessly with UniStream, as well as with Vision and Samba controllers. Communicating via Modbus RTU , they are general purpose VFDs, available as single and three phase, from 0.4 kW up to 110 kW.

You can use UniLogic to configure and operate up to 32 Unitronics VFDs via Ladder, or directly from UniStream's HMI panel.

You can also monitor and debug your VFD remotely by running OnLine Test Mode, and using UniLogics' Scope Trace feature as an oscilliscope.

Servo AC Drives

Unitronics offers a full line of servo drives and motors for your motion application needs. UniLogic greatly simplifies servo applications by enabling you to:

• Drag & drop drives and motors into your project: UniLogic automatically defines the correct configuration and automatically sets up communications for you

• Add up to 8 Axes, drag & drop actuators; UniLogic automatically converts units

• Benefit from automatic calculations: UniLogic analyzes the mechanical properties of your selections and recommends safe values

• Use the Ready-made Motion application to execute movements, such as Point-to-Point, Jog, and Homing--you can open this application and edit as needed to adapt it to your motion requirements

• Program Motion Control via drag & drop, using industry standard motion Function Blocks (PLCopen)

• Tune your system using a single parameter

• Diagnostics: View servo run-time performance via UniLogic’s built-in powerful, high-speed scope

VFD - Variable Frequency Drives

Servo, Axis Motion: via EtherCAT and CANopen