MNDACS – Mesh networked data acquisition and control system

At our institute, we needed a scalable SCADA system for both FRANZ and smaller laboratory test setups. Given the heterogeneity of devices, the system had to be easily extendable to support custom-built hardware, self-made devices, and standard PLC systems. Additional requirements included low maintenance, minimal system demands, and compatibility with various IT environments, operating systems, and hardware architectures. To meet these needs, we developed a ZeroMQ pub/sub pattern-based system in Java, which can function as a standalone instance or as a distributed mesh network across multiple systems. A modular device driver design simplifies the integration of devices with existing control software components. A universal XML-based driver enables device communication descriptions without the need for programming or recompilation. To minimize system resource demands, a Swing-based GUI was incorporated. This GUI is configurable via XML files, providing user flexibility and reducing the programming effort required for standard or predefined elements.