The central control unit of the McNetic family. High-performance dual-core processor and 7 integrated interfaces on-board — system status readable directly on the display.
| Processor | Dual ARM Cortex-M33F |
| Free application memory | 8 MB RAM, 32 GB Flash |
| Interfaces (isolated) | Ethernet, 2× CAN(-FD), 2× RS-485, RS-232, USB |
| Power supply | 24 V DC, typ. 2 W self-consumption |
| Operating temp. (continuous) | −20 °C … +85 °C (−4 °F … +185 °F) |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 100 × 25 × 115 mm (3.94 × 0.98 × 4.53 in) |
McNetic Alpha 1 is the heart of every McNetic system. It runs the control program, powers the attached modules via the DIN rail and talks to them over the internal system bus. To the outside it offers seven galvanically isolated interfaces for connecting machines, sensors, drives and supervisory systems directly.
The dual-core processor splits the work: one core handles all basic services such as controlling the interfaces, the system bus and the display. The second core belongs entirely to the control program and its Python runtime, including 8 MB of RAM. The control program therefore runs with high performance, undisturbed by communication and background tasks.
The control program is written in Python, without a proprietary development tool and without licence fees. Alpha 1 presents the entire system as an object tree: every input, every output and every interface is a Python object, no matter whether it is located on Alpha 1 itself or on a neighbouring module. Reading means querying a property, controlling means setting a property. Demanding protocols can be loaded as precompiled libraries from the 32 GB flash memory.
Alpha 1 is the master of the system bus. At power-up it detects all attached modules and builds a system model of the installation from them, which is available in the program. Termination and power supply are handled by the DIN rail itself, there is nothing to configure. Alpha 1 distributes firmware updates to all connected modules.
All interfaces are protected for harsh industrial use and fully galvanically isolated. The 24 V supply is electronically fused and protected against reverse polarity. A backed-up real-time clock keeps the time even during a power failure. The mini display with four keys shows the state of the system directly on the device and thus eases commissioning and troubleshooting.
The Alpha 1 hardware is designed for continuous operation up to 85 °C and promises a very long service life by avoiding components prone to ageing.
Like every McNetic module, the controller performs an intensive self-test at start-up that detects and reports defects in good time. So you can rely on your controller at all times.
The pilot series of Alpha 1 is under test. Data sheet, connection diagram, CAD data and the documentation of the Python library will follow with series maturity. Alpha 1 will be available in our shop from Q1 2027.
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 100 × 25 × 115 mm (3.94 × 0.98 × 4.53 in) |
| Mounting | DIN rail with integrated system bus connector |
| Weight | 122 g |
| Ingress protection | IP20 |
| Operating temperature (continuous) | −20 °C … +85 °C (−4 °F … +185 °F) |
| Processor | Dual ARM Cortex-M33F, 2× 250 MHz |
| RAM | 8 MB RAM, reserved for the user program |
| Flash memory | 32 GB built-in, for programs, libraries, data and logs |
| Real-time clock | battery-free backup for approx. 4 days, temperature-compensated |
| Operation | Mini display and four keys, programming and configuration via USB |
| CAN | 2×, galvanically isolated, supports CAN 2.0A/B and CAN-FD, up to 1 Mbit/s and 5 Mbit/s respectively, termination selectable by jumpers at the connector |
| RS-485 | 2× half duplex, galvanically isolated, up to 2 Mbit/s, termination selectable by jumpers at the connector |
| RS-232 | 1×, galvanically isolated, up to 921.6 kbit/s |
| Ethernet | 100Base-T, galvanically isolated, auto-negotiation, auto-MDIX |
| USB | USB-C, galvanically isolated; mass storage and network |
| System bus | CAN-FD via the DIN rail downwards, automatic module detection and bus termination |
| Input | 24 V DC |
| Voltage range | 18 … 33 V DC |
| Self-consumption | typ. 2 W |
| Protection | electronic fuse with reverse-polarity and overvoltage protection |
| Module supply | 48 W, sufficient for at least 20 interface modules, integrated current monitor |
| Programming | Python; the entire periphery appears as an object tree |
| Firmware update | signed file, two partitions with rollback; also for all attached modules |
| Access | USB (mass storage and network to the host PC) |
| Supported operating systems | Windows 7 and later, macOS, Linux and others; browser-based |
In both views the front with the display is at the top.
Standard assignment, auto-MDIX.
Wired like a modem (DCE), straight-through cable to the PC.
pin 1 optional wire jumper for 120 Ω termination connected internally
Data sheet, manual and CAD data will follow with series production.
This module is expected to be available in our shop from Q1 2027.
McNetic