Omron CJ1W-FLN22, Operation Manual, Page: 42 / 277

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FL-net Section 2-1
2-1 FL-net
FL-net Concept
FL-net is an Ethernet-based FA control network.
FL-net supports both cyclic transmission and message transmission func-
tions.
The basic concepts of FL-net are as follows:
1,2,3... 1. To use Ethernet as the medium for communications between FA control-
lers.
2. To offer UDP/IP, which are widely used protocols in Ethernet communica-
tions, as the basic means for data communications.
3. To manage and control access of each node in the network to the commu-
nications media (to avoid collisions) and to ensure transmission within a
fixed time period, while using the above-mentioned basic means for data
communications.
FL-net is an FA control network enabling the exchange of data between con-
trol devices in manufacturing systems, such as programmable controllers
(PLCs), robot controllers (RCs), and computerized numeric controllers
(CNCs), and personal computers used for controlling them.
The following diagram shows the location of devices in an FL-net system.
WAN
Host LAN Ethernet (TCP/IP, UDP)
Personal
computer
EWS
Server
Computers
Controllers
FL-net Ethernet-based Control Network
RC
CNC
Personal
computer PLC
PLC PLC
Sensors
Actuators
DeviceNet or other network
Devices
OMRON CX-FLnet or
FL-net Unit Support Software
Personal
computer
Personal
computer