EdgePLC with CODESYS: Full-Series Selection Guide for Industrial AI Edge Control
EdgePLC is not just a hardware-plus-software bundle. It is a complete product matrix—from entry-level logic control to flagship CNC and robotics motion control. Built on the “ARMxy high-performance processor + distributed I/O expansion” architecture, EdgePLC combines real-time control with edge AI computing.
The series includes BL234, BL237, BL241, BL244, BL245, and BL246, paired with three CODESYS versions: PRO, SM, and CR. Choosing the right SOM platform, CODESYS version, and I/O configuration directly affects cost, development time, and control performance.
CODESYS Versions
|
Version |
Capabilities |
Applications |
|
PRO |
IEC 61131-3 logic control, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP |
Basic PLC, process control, equipment automation |
|
SM |
PRO + single/multi-axis synchronized motion (electronic cam/gear) |
Multi-axis motion, packaging, winding machines |
|
CR |
SM + G-code parsing, 3D path interpolation, robot kinematics |
CNC machine tools, SCARA/Delta robots |
CODESYS Control for Linux ARM SL supports ARMv7/ARMv8 and installs via CODESYS Deployment Tool. It supports EtherCAT, CANopen, Modbus, PROFINET, and OPC UA.
SOM Selection Matrix
|
Model |
SOM |
Processor |
NPU |
Memory/Storage |
Typical Use |
|
BL234 |
SOM340/341/342/343 |
Allwinner T507-H, 4×A53@1.4GHz |
— |
1–2GB / 8–16GB |
Control-display, HDMI 4K, logistics sorting |
|
BL237 |
SOM370/371/372 |
RK3562J, 4×A53@1.8GHz + M0 |
1 TOPS |
1–4GB / 8–32GB |
Lightweight AI inspection, AGV navigation |
|
BL241 |
SOM410/411/412 |
RK3568J, 4×A55@2.0GHz |
1 TOPS |
1–4GB / 8–32GB |
Vision-guided robots, edge AIoT gateway |
|
BL244 |
SOM440/441/442 |
RK3576J, 4×A72 + 4×A53 |
6 TOPS |
2–8GB / 16–64GB |
Multi-camera + motion control |
|
BL245 |
SOM450/451/452 |
RK3588J, 4×A76 + 4×A55 |
6 TOPS |
4–16GB / 32–128GB |
Flagship AI inference, CNC + robotics |
|
BL246 |
CM500/CM510 |
Broadcom BCM2712, 4×A76@2.4GHz |
Hailo expandable |
2–16GB / 0–64GB |
Raspberry Pi CM5 ecosystem, AI acceleration |
Key Notes
I/O and Naming
EdgePLC supports up to 32 N-series distributed I/O modules, covering DI, DO, relay, AI, AO, RTD, TC, and pulse/counter. It scales from small workstations to large production lines with hundreds of I/O points.
Naming rule:
Host Model - SOM Model - (Serial Port) - Wireless - [Software Version] - (Motion Suffix)
Example: BL245-SOM450-WiFi-Pro-CR
Quick Selection
|
Requirement |
Recommended |
CODESYS |
Why |
|
Control-display, logistics sorting, HDMI large screen |
BL234-SOM340 |
PRO |
Quad-core A53, HDMI 4K |
|
Basic PLC logic, budget priority |
BL237-SOM370 |
PRO |
1 TOPS NPU + quad-core A53 |
|
Vision guidance, edge AIoT |
BL241 |
PRO |
RK3568J, 1 TOPS NPU |
|
Multi-camera + motion |
BL244 |
PRO/SM |
RK3576J, 6 TOPS |
|
Flagship AI + CNC/robotics |
BL245 |
PRO/CR |
RK3588J, 8K, 1024 I/O |
|
Raspberry Pi ecosystem + Hailo AI |
BL246 |
PRO |
CM5, expandable AI |
FAQ
Q: Which CODESYS versions are supported?
A: PRO (logic), SM (motion), CR (CNC + Robotics).
Q: Which hardware platforms run CODESYS?
A: From Allwinner T507-H to RK3562J/RK3568J, RK3576J/RK3588J, and Raspberry Pi CM5.
Q: How does BL246 expand AI?
A: M.2 supports NVMe SSD or Hailo AI accelerator for YOLOv5/8 and TensorFlow Lite.
