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Asset management and device configuration software is not
typically designed to interface to PLCs as communication
varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The key to
interfacing device configuration tools to the ControlLogix
system is to use a
common interface found in most of these tools, the HART multiplexer. The HART I/O modules
operate under the same premise as the multiplexer so this
interface became a logical solution to bringing the system
together. The next step to establishing the interface to the
PLC system was to provide a data translation mechanism that is
compatible with the ControlLogix PLC. Spectrum CONNECTS
solves this problem.
The software components of the integrated
architecture include your device management software, CONNECTS
communications gateway, and Rockwell Software RSLinx. Your
device configuration or asset management program must have a
HART multiplexer interface capability. Most programs,
such as Emerson AMS, Endress+Hauser FieldCare, Meriam DMS and the HART
Communication Foundation server tool support this interface.
The second component is the CONNECTS software. This acts as a
data translator for HART communications. The final component
is RSLinx. This Rockwell Software tool provides the physical
connection between CONNECTS and the PLC via Ethernet or
ControlNet.
CONNECTS
operates as a service on your device configuration
workstation. Once the software components are installed you
must map the location of your devices and HART I/O modules.
CONNECTS builds a database of device and I/O locations which
is later used to direct commands from the software
configuration utility to the field devices. Once the mapping
is complete you then run you device configuration software. The configuration tool will access
the CONNECTS database and begin communication with your
HART+Analog I/O modules. The result is a seamless
interface between your device configuration tool and the PLC
network.
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