OPTO 22 Optomux B1, User Manual

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B1 and B2 User’s Guide
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2: 1: Welcome Chapter 2
1: Welcome
Overview
The B1 digital and B2 analog Optomux brain boards are intelligent digital processors that operate as
slave devices to a host computer. Each brain board contains a microprocessor that provides the
necessary intelligence to communicate with a host computer and also perform control functions at
each channel of I/O.
B1 and B2 brain boards communicate with the host device using the Optomux protocol over an
RS-422/485 serial link, providing low-cost distributed access to both digital and analog I/O. Using a
simple serial port with an RS-485 converter, up to 4095 I/O points can be accessed over a distance of
several thousand feet at moderate speeds with high reliability.
NOTE: B1 and B2 brain boards offer serial communications only. For new installations or replacement
boards, E1 and E2 brain boards are recommended instead. E1s and E2s are designed as drop-in
replacements for B1s and B2s, but they also offer additional network and protocol options. E1s and E2s can
communicate over both serial and Ethernet networks using Optomux, and simultaneously communicate
using Modbus/TCP and the OptoMMP memory-mapped protocol over Ethernet. In addition, E1s and E2s
can be used with Opto 22’s ioProject software suite. See form #1546, the E1 and E2 Data Sheet, for more
information.
B1 Digital Brain Board B2 Analog Brain Board