Echelon NodeBuilder FX - Manual (Page 31)

NodeBuilder FX User's Guide 17
When a functional block is created from a functional profile, the application designer can determine
which of the optional configuration properties and network variables to implement.
Hardware Templates
A hardware template is a file with a .NbHwt extension that defines the hardware configuration for a
device. It specifies hardware attributes that include the transceiver type, Neuron Chip or Smart
Transceiver model, clock speed, system image, and memory configuration. Several hardware
templates are included with the NodeBuilder tool. You can use these or create your own. Third-party
development platform suppliers may also include hardware templates for their platforms.
Neuron C
Neuron C is a programming language, based on ANSI C, used to develop applications for devices that
use a Neuron Chip or Smart Transceiver as the application processor. Neuron C includes extensions
for network communication, device configuration, hardware I/O, and event-driven scheduling.
Device Templates
A device template defines a device type. The NodeBuilder tool uses two types of device templates.
The first is a NodeBuilder device template. The NodeBuilder device template is a file with a .NbDt
extension that specifies the information required for the NodeBuilder tool to build the application for a
device. It contains a list of the application Neuron C source files, device-related preferences, and the
hardware template name. When the application is built, the NodeBuilder tool automatically produces
an LNS device template and passes it to the LonMaker tool and other network tools. The LNS device
template defines the external device interface, and it is used by the LonMaker tool and other network
tools to configure and bind the device.
Device Interface Files
A device interface file (also known as an XIF file or an external interface file) is a file that specifies the
interface of a device. It includes a list of all the functional blocks, network variables, configuration
properties, and configuration property default values defined by the device’s application. LNS tools
such as the LonMaker tool use device interface files to create an LNS device template. This enables
the network tool to be used to create network designs without being connected to the physical devices,
and it speeds up some configuration steps when the network tool is connected to the physical device.