Micropilot M FMR 240 with PROFIBUS PA
Operation
E Hauser
47
5.5.5
Acyclic data exchange
Acyclic data exchange allows device parameters to be changed independently of the
communication between the device and a PLC.
Acyclic data exchange is used
•
to transmit device parameters during commissioning and maintenance;
•
to display measured values that are not acquired in cyclic traffic.
There are two types of acyclic data exchange:
Acyclic communication with a Class 2 master (MS2AC)
In the case of MS2AC, a Class 2 master opens a communication channel via a so-called
service access point (SAP) in order to access the device. Class 2 masters are for
example:
•
FieldCare
•
Commuwin
•
PDM
Before data can be exchanged via PROFIBUS, however, the Class 2 master must be
made aware of the parameters contained within the field device. This can be done by:
•
a device description (DD)
•
a device type manager (DTM)
•
a software component within the master, which accesses the parameters via slot and
index addresses.
!
Note!
•
The DD or DTM is supplied by the device manufacturer.
•
The number of Class 2 masters that can simultaneously access a device, is
determined by the number of SAPs that the device can provide.
•
The use of a Class 2 master increases the cycle time of the bus system. This must be
taken into consideration when the control system or PLC is programmed.
Acyclic communication with a Class 1 master (MS1AC)
In the case of MS1AC, a Class 1 master that is already communicating cyclically with a
device opens a communication channel via SAP 0x33, a special access point for
MS1AC. As is the case for a Class 2 master, the parameter is read or written via the slot
and index.
!
Note!
•
At the time of writing, there are only a few PROFIBUS masters that support this type
of communication.
•
Not all PROFIBUS field devices support MS1AC.
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Caution!
Permanent writing of parameters, e.g. with every cycle of the application program, must
be avoided, since this can drastically reduce the life of the device.
Acyclic write parameters are stored electrically in the RAM (EEPROM, Flash...). The
RAM modules are design for a limited number of write operations only. In standard
operation without MS1AC, i.e. during parametrisation of the device, the number of write
operations is negligible when compared to the limit. If the application program is badly
designed, however, this limit can be reached quickly, and the RAM will fail
The device Micropilot M supports MS2AC communication with two SAPs.
The device Micropilot M does not support MS1AC communication.
