Add a Controller

The communications tab is where you can configure communication interfaces to external PLC, robot, SCADA or other factory automation systems.

To add a communications controller, go to Communications inside the Configuration section and click the add + button at the top right part of the screen. Then a dialog will appear where you can choose the controller name, a unique name to identify the controller (is the name you will refer to in the code to write or read communications), and the controller type which defines the communication interface for the controller.

Add communication controller dialog.

The controller types available are:

• OPC UA server/client: A flexible Ethernet-based communication option for exchanging data with OPC UA–compatible systems such as PLCs, robots, SCADA, or higher-level software platforms.

• Siemens S7 server/client: A dedicated Ethernet interface for direct data exchange with Siemens S7 controllers, supporting both reading and writing of PLC variables.

  caution

  The Siemens S7 controller type is not recommended because of its limited communication speed and high latency.

• Modbus server/client: A widely used Ethernet communication protocol for connecting to industrial devices—including PLCs, robots, and sensors—using the standard Modbus TCP format.

• Ethernet/IP adapter/scanner: A high-performance interface for real-time data exchange with Ethernet/IP-compliant devices. The scanner role communicates with PLCs or robots acting as adapters, and vice versa.

  tip

  The EtherNet/IP controller type is strongly recommended for applications requiring fast, low-latency, real-time industrial communication.

• Profinet device: An interface that allows the system to operate as a device on a Profinet network, enabling seamless integration with Profinet controllers such as PLCs.

note

OneVision also supports custom communication interfaces, which can be created using plugins. This is the recommended way to create communication interfaces for digital I/O cards.