Programmable Automation Controller
A Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) is an industrial computing platform that combines the functionality of a programmable logic controller (PLC) with the flexibility and processing power of a personal computer. It is used for automation and control applications in manufacturing, process industries, and infrastructure, integrating logic, motion, process control, and data acquisition into a single system. PACs typically run on real-time operating systems and support multiple programming languages and communication protocols.
Developers should learn about PACs when working on industrial automation projects that require complex control, data processing, and integration across multiple systems, such as in automotive manufacturing, chemical plants, or smart grid management. They are essential for applications needing high reliability, deterministic performance, and the ability to handle both discrete and continuous processes, offering advantages over traditional PLCs in scalability and advanced computing tasks.