I'm reaching out for urgent assistance regarding a connectivity issue I've encountered with Opta PLC and Arduino IDE.
Here's a breakdown of the problem:
Previously, I had been successfully working with Opta PLC in January and February without any issues.
However, when attempting to connect Opta to my computer yesterday using Arduino IDE, I encountered a peculiar issue.
Upon connection, Arduino IDE unexpectedly removed the lower COM port, leaving only the higher COM port even in Device Manager.
This issue persisted despite numerous attempts and even after resetting and reloading the bootleader.
I've also experienced similar connectivity issues when using PLC IDE, where Opta connected but encountered errors during code upload, such as "GetCRCFromTarget error reading par: 12293".
Additionally, after successful code uploads, a blue box indicating "no code" appeared in the bottom right corner, followed by a pop-up stating that the code did not match the equipment, despite no changes being made to the code.
Given the urgency of this matter and my reliance on Opta PLC for my work, I'm reaching out to the Arduino community in the hopes of finding a solution.
Any insights, suggestions, or guidance you can provide would be immensely appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.
I have the same problem, and have not yet found an answer. I also asked the store for an exchange to make sure it's not hardware, but they have not gotten back to me yet.
I have exactly the same issue since last month with one of the Opta we bought at work. I also can't find any documentation/post on this matter.
Like OP, I tried with no success to full reset the device.
I contacted and after many operation and good contact the solution is:
"
Thank you very much for all the information you have provided us.
Please contact the reseller (RS in this case) to get a new replacement board.
Sorry again for any inconvenience!
If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact us again.
same here, i think it is 1.0.6 error, i can`t activate new product, I tried to change the bootloader, change the mbed_opta files to 4.1.6, without success. I also can't format QSPI,
Total frustration. I was so optimistic about using this, but the truth is the PLC software is not up to scratch.
Spent 10hours today trying to get it working, with not clear guidance on what port to use then port disappeared etc.. then not connecting etc...
If OPTA is wanting to break into the automation industry they should only release hardware and software that is bug free and a clear process of programming the units. This business of different ports and bootloader etc is a mess and it trail error trail error to just something working.
Try this procedure.
1 Open the Arduino® PLC IDE software and open a new program.
2 Open Windows® Device Manager and look for PORTS (COM / LPT) and note any USB port numbers
3 Plug the USB data cable into an OPTA and then into the PC
4 In Windows® Device Manager look for PORTS (COM / LPT) and note any new port numbers
5 In Arduino® IDE PLC go to ON-LINE – SETUP COMMUNICATIONS.
6 Setup the communications by selecting: -
a. MODBUS
b. Open Properties
c. In Port number select the lowest new number noted in step 4
d. Click OK
e. Click OK
7 On the OPTA double press the RESET button (paper clip required), the green LED will phase on and off.
8 In the Arduino® PLC IDE software Click the RECOURCES Tab and scroll down to the OTHER Box and select: -
a. Automatic (Boot Loader) from the dropdown box
b. Then Click Download.
9 When the Boot Loader has finished
a. Open Windows® Device manager and look at PORTS (COM / LPT) note any new port number/s.
10 In Arduino® IDE PLC go to ON-LINE – SETUP COMMUNICATIONS.
11 Setup the communications by selecting
a. MODBUS
b. Open Properties
c. In Port number select the highest new number noted in step 9
d. Click OK
e. Click OK
12 In the Arduino PLC IDE software scroll down to the OTHER Box and select: -
a. The Highest COM port number noted in step 9
b. Click Download.
13 When this Download has finished
14 Go to ON-LINE – SETUP COMMUNICATIONS.
a. Setup the communications by selecting
b. MODBUS
c. Open Properties
d. In Port number select the highest number noted in step 9
e. Click OK
f. Click OK
15 Connect the OPTA by selecting
a. ON-LINE
b. Click CONNECT (the Arduino® IDE PLC will show CONNECTED in a green box at Bottom Right of the screen)
When I check the device manager there is only ever one Com port listed.
When I get to step 11, only one com port. I can continue on and it will program and download the sketch but then reports program with Error message:: Booting PLC application .. failed.
I reset by power cycling and it runs then when making changes again it wont take any new changes I have made...
I am a product develop (embedded + server side) for 30 years and the software look half baked to me. In an industrial env these sort of issues is an non-starter. What Finder & Arduino need to understand is they are now competing against all the BMS controllers and their bullet proof software. To get engineers to jump ship they need out of the gate to have rock solid software. Most of the BMS guys have no idea of com ports and flashing firmware etc... they simply plug-in --> program --> done.
I there is meant to be 2 com ports (from what I see on other threads) then may be my hardware is faulty? I did see 2 com ports about 6 months ago when I initially set it up.
There is an issue with windows 11 24H2 where it is unable to program anything other than the bootloader.
There is supposed to be 2 com ports sounds to me like its not going into boot loader mode or you have a driver missing. you have to powerup the PLC with USB C first do not connect the 24 v DC power first Plug in the USB C Cable first wait for windows to recognize the device then connect the 24v power.
I never get the device to be seen by windows correctly unless I connect USB C first and let it power up from that before putting the 24v DC on the PLC.
After connecting USB C first then 24 v Power afterwards double press the Reset button to put it in boot loader mode. There will only be 1 COM port this time (or 2 if your windows has a default virtual com port). open the PLC IDE and set it to automatic bootloader mode and hit download.
After its flashed it should reboot and be ready and then show 2 more Com ports (you may see 3 since windows seems to have a default virtual com port) Choose the lowest Com Middle value com port if you have 3 and make sure the
Hi zm,
thanks for your response. I do not run windows 11, I am on win 10.
I have tried what you have suggested but same issue... only 1 com port after following your description above.
As a company I think we will forget about the PLC side of things as its just not there commercially. The truth is, Finder and Arduino have serious problems with the PLC software, you just have to read through the posts, and its all relating to issues around what we are experiencing. Commercially, companies just don't put with this level product. I believe the hardware is great and that is was opened the door for our company to to look at this and personally I have been a long fan of Arduino but sadly they rushed out the PLC software and totally destroyed any chance of it being taken on by BMS companies or small businesses.
We are not giving up on the hardware, we have decided to writing our own framework to configure/monitor/control the OPTA and its extensions as we never see any issues with it connecting and programming from the Arduino IDE.
15 steps just to connect? This is not how industry automation works. Process or plant downtime have huge impact on price. Real industrial automation engineers can't rely on software or hardware that delays instead of improve project delivery. This product can't be advertised as "industrial device".
