Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration
2-4
ni.com
Note
Use a USB 2.0 high power port to ensure proper bus powering. For a desktop PC,
it is usually a rear USB port.
Setting the Communication Parameters and
Interface Name
Complete the following steps to use the NI-FBUS Interface Configuration
utility to set the Fieldbus communication parameters and interface name.
1.
Start the NI-FBUS Interface Configuration utility by selecting
Start»Programs»National Instruments FBUS»Interface
Configuration Utility
.
2.
Select the port you want to edit, and click the
Edit
button.
The NI-FBUS Interface Configuration utility displays the default
interface name and some configuration information.
3.
Enter an interface name for the port, or use the default name.
The interface name is for local use on the PC.
4.
Enter a unique tag in the
Device Tag
field, or use the default device tag.
The device tag is the name visible on the Fieldbus to the other devices.
5.
Your interface must be given either a fixed or visitor device address for
you to start using NI-FBUS. This address must be unique on the link
to which the interface is connected.
a.
To assign a fixed address to your Fieldbus interface, choose
Fixed
Address
and enter a value in the range 0x10 to 0xF7.
By convention, the lower addresses starting at 0x10 are usually used
for interface boards and link masters. Upper addresses, starting at
0xF7 and working down, are generally used for other devices.
Using a lower address for your interface will reduce the likelihood
that the interface will conflict with another device on the bus.
b.
If you want your interface to be a temporary device that you do not
intend to connect to the Fieldbus for an extended time, choose
Visitor Address
. Over a long period of time, using a visitor address
could break VCR endpoints and cause
VCR_FULL_ERROR
errors.
c.
If you want third-party Fieldbus configuration software to assign
an address to your interface over the Fieldbus, choose
Default
Address
. You should only choose to use a default address when
you want third-party configuration software to assign a permanent
address. A device at a default address cannot be communicated
with until a permanent address has been assigned by the
configuration software.
