RTA Historian
The easiest way to log data from an Allen-Bradley PLCs and Modbus devices. Purpose-built for industrial environments, the RTA Historian logs and structures time-series records locally while giving you the flexibility to forward or publish those records to the wider enterprise. Visualize, analyze and distribute Allen-Bradley PLC and Modbus device data without relying on complex middleware or cloud subscriptions.
RTA Historian
Price range: $1,495.00 through $3,652.95
RTA Historian Specs At-A-Glance
| Product specifications | |
|---|---|
| A-B PLC Support | CompactLogix, ControlLogix, FlexLogix, MicroLogix, SLC, PLC-5E, Micro820, Micro850, Micro870 |
| A-B Connection and Data Limits | Reliable performance at up to 10 PLCs and up to 10000 data points |
| A-B Supported Data Types | Bool, Bit Array 16, Bit Array 32, 8-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 16-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 32-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 64-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 32-Bit Float, 64-Bit Double, String |
| Modbus Device Support | TCP, RTU, ASCII |
| Modbus Connection | Reliable performance with up to 10 devices per Modbus TCP and Modbus Serial (RTU/ASCII) |
| Modbus Function Codes | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16 |
| Storage Options | 128 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB |
| Publishing Options | Unsecure or secure via MQTT(S), SQL (with TLS/SSL), FTP(S), HTTP(S), WebSockets (Secure) or Email at definable rates, time periods or triggered |
| DC Input Voltage | 12-24 VDC (22W Max) |
| Temp Range | -20°C to 60°C (Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n |
| Certifications | RoHS, UL, CE approvals |
| Size | 4.04 x 5.08 x 1.50 in |
| Mounting | DIN rail |
Securely Log Automation Data in Closed OT or Hybrid IT Environments
The RTA Historian empowers you to unlock valuable process data from your control systems regardless of whether you are operating in a strictly air-gapped environment or bridging the gap between OT and IT networks.
In closed OT environments, the historian functions as a standalone appliance with up to 1 TB of local storage, ensuring absolute data ownership without the need for cloud access or third-party middleware.
For hybrid IT/OT architectures, the historian runs on your local network and securely delivers data via a separate dedicated network interface or over Wi-Fi. This physical and logical isolation adds a layer of secure connectivity for pushing contextualized data to enterprise analytics or cloud systems.
How to Leverage Time-Series Automation Data with the RTA Historian
- Enter the RTA Historian IP address into a web browser to access the user-friendly interface.
- Configure your network settings.
- Automatically discover and add your Allen-Bradley PLCs or configure your Modbus devices and tags to create a data model.
- Define the schedule-, cyclic- and event-based triggers that will create your time-series data records.
- Configure data storage events based on your device and trigger settings.
- Analyze your time-series data locally on a graphical interface or publish it to cloud or enterprise systems.
Flexible On-Board Storage Options for Your Unique Application
The RTA Data Historian is built to handle high volumes of time-series data. There are three storage options available: 128 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB. Choose the best storage capacity based on your expected total usage. Consider how different industrial applications impact your data footprint:
- Scenario 1: High-Speed Diagnostics
A single PLC on a high-speed packaging line provides 100 data points every 25 ms, producing 85.96 MB/hr (2.06 GB/day). The maintenance manager requires at least 30-days of high-resolution data to perform root cause analysis to catch intermittent mechanical glitches that cause unplanned downtime. In this scenario, the 128 GB version is the best fit. - Scenario 2: Regulatory Compliance
Two Allen-Bradley PLCs and 15 Modbus TCP flow meters managing a tank farm provide 10,000 process variables every 5,000 ms, producing 76.14 MB/hr (1.83 GB/day). The quality manager requires at least 1 year of history to meet strict audit requirements and ensure product traceability. In this scenario, the 1 TB version is the best fit. - Scenario 3: Performance Monitoring
Four PLCs across a synchronized production cell provide 2,000 data points every 1,000 ms, producing 42.5 MB/hr (1.02 GB/day). Data needs to be retained for one full year to track year-over-year OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and justify capital expenditure for new equipment. In this scenario, the 512 GB version is the best fit.
| Hourly Data Rate | Daily Data Rate | 128 GB Storage | 512 GB Storage | 1 TB Storage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario 1 | 85.96 MB/hr | ~2.06 GB/day | ~62 Days | ~248 Days | ~484 Days |
| Scenario 2 | 76.14 MB/hr | ~1.83 GB/day | ~70 Days | ~280 Days | ~547 Days |
| Scenario 3 | 42.5 MB/hr | ~1.02 GB/day | ~125 Days | ~500 Days | ~980 Days |
Calculate Your RTA Historian Storage Requirement
Use the equation below to calculate your data storage usage:
| Bytes per Second = |
(Total Payload + 132)
Log Interval (seconds) |
Total Payload = Number of 8-Bit Tags + (Number of 16-Bit Tags * 2) + (Number of 32-Bit Tags * 4) + (Number of 64-Bit Tags *8) + (Number of Strings * 82)
RTA Historian FAQs
The RTA Historian is a din-rail mounted, on-premise hardware historian that collects time-series tag data from Allen-Bradley PLCs and Modbus devices and stores that data locally in a database. It operates without cloud dependencies, licensing requirements, subscriptions or external gateway middleware.
The RTA Historian collects tag and file data from Allen-Bradley PLCs. It can collect any controller-scoped or program-scoped tags for Logix based PLCs or B, N, F or ST files for PCCC based PLCs.
Typical use cases include maintenance troubleshooting, downtime analysis, quality tracking and long-term production history collection from one or more Allen-Bradley PLCs. The stored time-series data is commonly consumed by upstream MES, BI, analytics platforms or cloud applications for reporting and optimization.
Yes, the RTA Historian includes a simple, browser-based real-time trending graph intended for configuration verification and diagnostic troubleshooting.
Allen-Bradley CompactLogix, ControlLogix, FlexLogix, Micro820, Micro850, Micro870, MicroLogix, SLC5/05 and PLC5E.
View all the Historian frequently asked questions
What our Customers are Saying
"Thanks to RTA for providing a product that helped us resolve a critical issue. Your support and innovation are greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work."
Jeff B. / Engine Test and Evaluation – Technical Specialist Staff