Historically, Acrison has offered a large choice of options for interfacing its controls with a variety of equipment using different circuit modules that provide voltage, current, frequency and digital interfaces of various types. Today, however, serial communication, and more specifically, networking, has become the preferred medium for interfacing Acrison controllers with most user control systems. This change is due primarily to advantages in accuracy, speed and cost as well as the ability to handle a virtually unlimited number of parameters over a single set of wires.
Acrison can provide support for several different interfacing options that encompass both hard-wired and wireless configurations. The hardware requirements (specific components) for each option will vary depending on both the type of connection, and the performance needed from the configuration. The six connection options include (1) standard serial connections, (2) 10 MBaud Ethernet connections, (3) Profibus DP connections, (4) Bluetooth (wireless) connections, (5) Wireless Ethernet connections (802.11b) and (6) Dialup connections.
In a serial connection, multiple Acrison controllers (up to 32) are wired by the user in a multi-drop configuration using the RS-422/485 hardware protocol, or in a point to point configuration using RS-232. Each controller is equipped with some type of Acrison communications module (e.g., Data Link Module), and will communicate with the host PC using any of the Acrison supported software protocols (user specified). This configuration allows the host to effectively communicate with every connected controller.
For Ethernet applications, Acrison controllers can be connected to any Ethernet network (10 MBaud Ethernet) using either the Modbus/TCP or Ethernet/IP software protocols. Configurations using the Ethernet/IP protocol (Allen-Bradley) will require an AB 1761 NET-ENI module (third party).
Depending on the software protocol (Modbus/TCP or Ethernet/IP), some controller models (e.g., BC-702) will require both a communications module and Acrison's Ethernet Gateway to effectively communicate with the host device. Others, such as the MD-II 2000, can be equipped with an integrated EtherLink Module (Modbus/TCP) that ties them directly to the Ethernet host without the need for an RS-422/485 interface or separate Acrison communications module.
Acrison controllers can also be equipped for integration into any Profibus DP network. This is accomplished using an Acrison Network Gateway (multiple controllers sharing a single network address) or a ProfiLink Module (integrated into each controller). Acrison's ProfiLink Module and Network Gateway were designed to provide users with two distinct methods of interfacing the MD-II 2000 Family of Controllers with networks utilizing the Profibus-DP protocol. The first method uses the ProfiLink Module to attach a single controller to the Profibus-DP network. In this configuration the ProfiLink Module is integral to the controller and communicates directly with both the controller CPU and the Profibus Master. The second utilizes the Network Gateway to connect multiple controllers using only a single Slave address.
Acrison Controllers can easily be adapted for use with the Bluetooth wireless-networking standard. Bluetooth connections are identical to standard serial connections except for the addition of Industry Standard Bluetooth adapters (third party). In the connection, optional multiple Acrison controllers (up to 32) are wired by the user in a multi-drop configuration using the RS-422/485 hardware protocol. Each controller is equipped with some type of Acrison communications module (e.g., Data Link Module), and will communicate with the host device using the appropriate serial protocol. The wireless portion of the interface is then completed by the standard Bluetooth adapter.
Another connection option supported is wireless Ethernet (802.11b). This method is identical to a standard Ethernet connection except for the addition of a wireless Access Point (e.g., SMC7004AWBR) at the network, and a Wireless PC Card at the host laptop.
Acrison controllers can be accessed from remote locations for maintenance or monitoring requirements using a standard modem and dialup software such as is found standard in Microsoft Windows operating systems. Other devices, such as PDAs that are equipped with a modem, are also able to form a dialup connection with Acrison controllers. Multi-drop connections can also be accomplished, but this may require a separate protocol converter if the modem does not support a multi-drop hardware protocol (see "Hardware Protocols").
Connections established via modem will generally be limited to the baud rates supported by the local telephone system and will typically be 9,600 or 19,200 baud when communicating with Acrison controllers. Acrison's pKDU software, which operates in a Palm™ connected organizer or other device running PalmOS® 3.3 or later, such as a Handspring™ Platinum or Handspring ™ Prism PDA, will communicate at 19,200 baud.
Regardless of the device used, access is available to all set points, parameter values and commands over a dialup connection.
For additional information or answers to your questions, please contact us at our office nearest you.