Platform Architecture

The Automation1 controller software has two parts, Automation1-MDK and Automation1-iSMC.

Automation1-MDK

You can install Automation1-MDK (the Automation1 Machine & Motion Development Kit) on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC and configure it to communicate with the Automation1 controller. You can configure Automation1-MDK to connect to an Automation1 controller that is on the same PC (local) or to connect to an Automation1 controller on a remote PC. You can also work without a controller. For example, you can edit the configuration in a Machine Controller Definition (MCD) file. Then after you connect to an Automation1 controller, you can upload that MCD file to the controller.

The Automation1-MDK installation includes the applications and APIs that follow:

• Automation1 Studio
• Automation1 MachineApps
• Automation1 Status Utility
• Automation1 Console
• All Automation1 APIs

Automation1-iSMC

You can use the Automation1 Intelligent Software-Based Machine Controller (iSMC) with a Windows PC or with a drive-based controller, such as the iXC4.

If you use a PC-based controller, you can install Automation1-iSMC on any Windows 10 PC that is validated to have real-time performance. Windows 11 is not supported for Automation1-iSMC. The Automation1-iSMC installer installs the kernel-level functionality for the Automation1 motion controller. Automation1-iSMC uses TCP/UDP port 12200 to communicate with Automation1-MDK. Refer to Install the Software for more information.

If you use a drive-based controller (such as the iXC4), the Automation1-iSMC is installed at the factory. You can use the Automation1-MDK to update the Automation1-iSMC software on your drive-based controller. Refer to Automation1 Studio for more information.

The Automation1-iSMC installation includes the modules that follow:

Non Real-Time Layer

• Communication Service
• Callback Service
• File Service
• Sequencing Service

Real-Time layer

• Automation1 SMC
• Automation1 C Transform Process

Windows applications and APIs are not supplied with Automation1-iSMC. You must install Automation1-MDK to get access to Windows-level applications and APIs that are necessary to use the controller.