How powerful is the OPC interface in reality?
In OPC, we are only concerned with the definition of an interface. Its power-performance level depends upon its applicable use. The amount of care used during the development of the OPC server is therefore decisive. The mechanisms within the OPC standard allow for the development of an extremely high performance OPC server. Along with straightforward read and write operations, the OPC recognises an automatic communication by the client when data changes. In this way, the exchange of data at the OPC interface can be minimised. Experience with the current OPC servers on the market demonstrates that performance capability is almost always limited through communication with the peripheral unit rather than through the OPC.
