Contemporary Control Systems AI-USB Adapters - Manual

AI-USB Series
A Line of ARCNET
®
Fixed-Port Active Hubs with USB Interface
INSTALLATION GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
The AI-USB Series of hubs work like AI Series hubs, but also
provide computer access via USB. Each device acts as a hub
with three-ports, two external and one internal. The internal
port connects to USB ARCNET adapter circuitry within the
hub. A USB front panel socket gives access to a laptop or
desktop PC.
The AI-USB complies with the USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 standards
to provide fast, convenient access to an ARCNET LAN with no
need of a network interface module in the computer.
The AI-USB can permanently connect to the ARCNET
network as a bus extender while giving a laptop computer
temporary access. Thus, field wiring is undisturbed while a
computer connects to monitor, configure or test the devices on
the ARCNET network. There are coaxial, twisted-pair and
AC- or DC-coupled EIA-485 models.
The internal USB adapter consists of a COM20022 ARCNET
controller and high-speed microcontroller. The 128K bytes of
receiver buffering aids reception of broadcast messages. With
a 480 Mbps USB link, dropped ARCNET packets are rare.
The AI-USB has the same power connectors as the AI Series of
hubs and requires only low-voltage power from either an AC
(8–24 volts) or DC (10–30 volts) source. Approved companion
transformers are available for UL and CE Mark applications.
Provisions exist for redundant power connections. Each unit is
shipped with both panel and DIN-rail mounting hardware and a
disk containing AI-USB software for
Windows
®
2000/XP . A
USB cable is also provided.