XILON HANDHELD TOOL - USER GUIDE
7
EN2B-0214GE51 R0503
INTRODUCTION
Background Information
XILON consists essentially of hardware and software previously developed and
released by SysMik GmbH (Dresden) under the name of
ALTOhandheld
. The
ALTOhandheld is a powerful diagnostic and maintenance tool for investigating and
reconfiguring L
ON
W
ORKS
networks, but requires an in-depth understanding of
L
ON
W
ORKS
mechanisms. XILON still supports these functions, but also features
special functions specifically for panel builders who need to perform wiring checks
and manual overrides as part of their daily work. Thus, panel builders will require
no detailed knowledge of L
ON
W
ORKS
in order to make use of these extra functions.
Readers who nevertheless wish to exploit XILON's entire range of functions are
referred to the publication "ALTOhandheld Manual Service Device Release 2.0" of
SysMik GmbH (Dresden) available on the CD accompanying the shipment
package. Readers interested in more information about L
ON
W
ORKS
technology are
referred to the corresponding literature available from Echelon® and the
manufacturers of Neuron® Chips.
General Information
Introduction
This User Guide addresses itself to panel builders and technicians who are
responsible for checking and changing the wiring of input/output modules (e.g.
Honeywell's Distributed I/O modules and Excel Smart I/O modules) installed on a
L
ON
W
ORKS
network and who may also need to manually override and check the
operation of the field devices connected to them.
There are essentially three decisive reasons to choose XILON to perform these
basic tasks:
•
Lower know-how requirements: With XILON, no knowledge of L
ON
W
ORKS
or
LonMaker for Windows™ is necessary.
•
More-convenient operation: With XILON, the work can be carried out by a
single technician using a convenient, handheld device which can be connected
to input/output modules located throughout the L
ON
W
ORKS
network.
•
Additional manual override functionality: With XILON, field devices can be
manually overridden and tested.
Lower Know-how Requirements
Previously, wiring checks and field device tests were often performed by
L
ON
W
ORKS
engineers. These specialists are in charge of configuring,
commissioning, and binding the L
ON
W
ORKS
network and are accustomed to using
complex tools like LonMaker for Windows™. Now, with XILON, wiring checks can
be carried out by panel builders possessing no knowledge of L
ON
W
ORKS
and no
training in the use of corresponding tools.
More-convenient Operation
Until now, panel builders have had to use PC-based tools like the XI581/582 to
perform wiring checks. A handheld tool like XILON is much more convenient to use
(e.g. when accessing an I/O module located behind a false ceiling). Furthermore,
unlike a PC, it entails no time-consuming booting.
Additionally, if the input/output module was installed at a location remote from the
Excel controller, the check previously had to be carried out by a team of two
technicians - one person to select and check the input/outputs on the XI581/582
docked to the controller and another person to check the corresponding
input/output signals on the module, itself. In carrying out this job, the two
technicians had to communicate with one another by mobile phone. All in all, this
was a time-consuming and costly procedure.
Manual Override Functionality
Another important feature of XILON is its use as a start-up tool providing manual
override functionality. This is extremely useful at start-up time (i.e. before the
L
ON
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ORKS
network is working).
