Rockwell Automation 1395 Multi-Comm Hardware/Software - Manual (Page 25)

Chapter 3
Configuration & Interfacing
3–14
RIO Communications
Each channel of the MCA board can be configured for Allen-Bradley
Remote I/O (RIO) communications. Configuration as a RIO device allows
the Drive to look like a remote I/O chassis to a PLC. The MCA board has
several features, some of which are not available with the Node Adapter
board. This adapter can replace the Node Adapter board in applications
where these additional communications features are required. Below is a
listing of the RIO features on this Adapter:
S The Adapter can support 57.6K, 115K, and 230K baud communication
rates.
S The board can be configured as a 1/2, 3/4, or full I/O rack.
S The board can be configured to ignore PLC fault conditions and
continue Drive operation.
!
ATTENTION: Configuring the MCA board to ignore PLC
fault conditions could lead to erratic operation and possible
drive or equipment damage.
S The block transfer mechanism can support transfer of multiple Drive
parameters (up to 30) in a single block transfer request.
S A “redundant” feature allows the Drive to be directly connected to two
PLC’s. A parameter specifies which PLC is in control of the Drive at
any given time, and also allows control to be switched from one PLC to
the other.
General
The MCA board does not scale or manipulate data that is transferred
between the Drive and PLC Controller. If data in the PLC is manipulated in
units other than Drive units, the data must first be converted to Drive Units
before being sent to the Drive. Consequently, all scaling of data must be
performed in the PLC.
To control Drive parameters the MCA parameters are linked to the Drive
by using source and sink parameters. Refer to the Drive Installation and
Maintenance manual for details on Drive configuration links.
The selected rack size (determined by switches U5 and U14) and the
Adapter port (A or B) that the Adapter is mounted in determine which
parameters in the Drive are used for transfer of data between the Drive and
PLC Controller. The Standard port position for the MCA is port B.
Because there are two channels on this Adapter board, the channel
configuration (RIO or DH+) also determines which Adapter board
parameters are used and their function. The standard configuration is for
channel A to be DH+ communication and channel B to be RIO
communication. This can be changed using switches U5 (Channel A) and
U14 (Channel B).