DL8000 Preset Instruction Manual
Revised February-2016
Communications Protocols
D-1
Appendix D – Communications Protocols
This appendix details alternative protocols (other than the native
DL8000 protocol) you might use to communicate with the DL8000
preset controller. Currently, Remote Automation Solutions (RAS)
supports the Modbus
®
protocol (“Modbus,” developed by Modicon,
Inc.) and the DanLoad 6000 protocol (“DanLoad 6000,” developed by
Daniel, a division of Emerson Process Management).
D.1 Introduction
To communicate with a preset controller, a typical terminal automation
system (TAS) may use a communications protocol such as Modbus or
DanLoad 6000.
The TAS issues various commands that control preset operations and
complete batch delivery with or without operator assistance. Further, the
TAS can read configurable parameters, status parameters, and status
flags using Modbus registers or DanLoad 6000 read commands.
Note
:
This appendix provides information to enable backward
compatibility to an environment that may include DL8000
presets and DanLoad 6000 presets communicating through
either
the DanLoad 6000 protocol
or
the Modbus protocol.
Although the DL8000 preset programs provide a software
interface you can use to define options and functions, your TAS
may require more specific mappings. Unlike DanLoad 6000
commands or Modbus registers, DL8000 parameters are
formatted as TLPs (Point
T
ype,
L
ogical No,
P
arameter No) and
are cited in the format [X,Y,Z] where X is the point type
number, Y is the logical number, and Z is the parameter number.
For that reason we also cite pertinent DL8000 parameters in the
format [X,Y,Z] and, when necessary, include specific code
values.
The
Modbus
protocol enables a TAS to:
Read or write configuration parameters
Read status parameters like totalizers, status flags, alarm status etc.
Control batch operation
The
DanLoad 6000
protocol enables a TAS to control the entire batch
operation but limits access to configuration and status parameters.
Access the Operating Mode field on the Preset Setup screen’s General
Setup tab (parameter [63,0,36]) to select which of two operating modes
the preset uses to interact with a TAS. The operating mode limits the
accepted command codes. The operating modes are:
Automatic
[value = 0]: The TAS maintains bi-directional
communications with the preset and monitors
and
controls batch