Rockwell Automation 20-COMM-D DeviceNet Adapter Series B FRN 2.xxx User Manual
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Glossary
G-3
20-COMM-D DeviceNet Adapter User Manual
Publication 20COMM-UM002G-EN-P
Datalinks
A Datalink is a type of pointer used by PowerFlex 7-Class drives to transfer
data to and from the controller. Datalinks allow specified parameters to be
read or written to without using explicit messages. When enabled, each
Datalink consumes either four bytes or eight bytes in both the input and output
image table of the controller. The drive determines the size of Datalinks.
DeviceNet Network
An open producer/consumer Controller Area Network (CAN) which
connects devices (for example, controllers, drives, and motor starters). Both
I/O and explicit messages can be transmitted over the network. A DeviceNet
network can support a maximum of 64 devices. Each device is assigned a
unique node address and transmits data on the network at the same data rate.
A cable is used to connect devices on the network. It contains both the
signal and power wires. Devices can be connected to the network with drop
lines, in a daisy-chain connection, or a combination of the two.
General information about DeviceNet and the DeviceNet specification are
maintained by the Open DeviceNet Vendor’s Association (ODVA). ODVA
is online
.
DPI (Drive Peripheral Interface)
A second generation peripheral communication interface used by various
Allen-Bradley drives and power products, such as PowerFlex 7-Class
drives. It is a functional enhancement to SCANport.
DPI Peripheral
A device that provides an interface between DPI and a network or user.
Peripheral devices are also referred to as ‘adapters’ or ‘modules’. The
20-COMM-D adapter, 1203-USB or 1203-SSS converter, and PowerFlex
7-Class HIMs (20-HIM-xxx) are examples of DPI peripherals.
DPI Product
A device that uses the DPI communication interface to communicate with
one or more peripheral devices. For example, a motor drive such as a
PowerFlex 7-Class drive is a DPI product. In this manual, a DPI product is
also referred to as ‘drive’ or ‘host’.
DriveExplorer Software
A tool for monitoring and configuring Allen-Bradley products and network
communication adapters. It can be used on computers running various
Microsoft Windows operating systems. DriveExplorer software, version
3.xx or later, can be used to configure this adapter and PowerFlex drives.
This software tool has been discontinued and is now available as freeware
. There are
no plans to provide future updates to this tool and the download is being
provided ‘as-is’ for users that lost their DriveExplorer CD, or need to
configure legacy products not supported by Connected Components
Workbench software.