FieldServer FS-8700-21 Special considerations, Map Descriptor Names Network Variable Names

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FS-8700-21 LonWorks Manual

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5IMPLICIT CONFIGURATIONS

5.1Special considerations

Implicit addressing is used when a Network Management Tool such as LonMaker® is used to connect a FieldServer to other LonWorks nodes - the FieldServer is assigned its data transfer (binding) parameters by the Network Management Tool.

5.1.1 Map Descriptor Names (Network Variable Names)

When using Implicit configuration, the LonWorks driver provides a table of Network Variables for other Nodes to read. These Nodes access the variables according to Index numbers which are automatically assigned by the driver according to the Map Descriptor definition order in the configuration file. The driver also creates an identification table for configuration nodes to read the name and types of variables available on the FieldServer. Within the LonWorks protocol, this table size is limited to 64K bytes. If the application requires a large number of Server mappings (up to 4096), it will be necessary to limit the variable name length. Each Server mapping requires 4 bytes plus the length of the name from this 64K block.

5.1.2 Implicit Lon functions

Implicit Map Descriptors are distinguished from Explicit Map Descriptors by the function used in the Lon_Function field of the Map Descriptor. Depending on the nature and direction of Data Transfer needed, different implicit functions are available as follows (NOTE: function field MUST pair up with the Lon_Function field as shown in the table):

 

Lon_Function

 

 

Description

 

 

Function Field

 

 

NVUI

 

 

Network Variable Update Input

 

 

PASSIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NVPO

 

 

Network Variable Polled Output

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NVPIIMC

 

 

Network Variable Polled Input Implicitly addressed Continuously sent

 

 

RDBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NVUOIMC

 

 

Network Variable Update Output Implicitly addressed Continuously sent

 

 

WRBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NVUOIMX

 

 

Network Variable Update Output Implicitly addressed and sent on Change

 

 

WRBX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NVUOIMT

 

 

Network Variable Update Output Implicitly addressed sent in Throttling Mode

 

 

WRBC See Appendix A.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CFG_NVUI

 

 

Configuration Network Variable Update Input

 

 

PASSIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.1.3 SNVT_Index

For implicitly addressed Client Map Descriptors and all Server side Map Descriptors the driver will assign an index to each one, starting from 0 and incrementing to 4095, in the order they appear in the configuration file.

5.1.4 Address Table Limit

It is important to note the limitation within LonWorks Implicit addressing that the Address Table used for storing the addresses of all active connections made with the FieldServer is limited to 16 Device Addresses including that of the FieldServer. This is a LonWorks limitation, not a FieldServer limitation, and it means that the FieldServer can only make active implicit connections to 15 other devices . If active connections to more than 15 devices are required, then it is necessary to use Explicit Configuration (NMFETCHC is recommended).

Devices that write to passive Map Descriptors in the FieldServer only are not placed in this table and therefore this limitation does not apply. (A Passive Map Descriptor is recognized by the Passive Parameter in the Function Field).

FieldServer Technologies 1991 Tarob Court Milpitas, California 95035 USA Web: www.fieldserver.com Tel: (408) 262 2299 Fax: (408) 262 2269 Toll Free: (888) 509 1970 email: support@fieldserver.com

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FieldServer FS-8700-21 Special considerations, Map Descriptor Names Network Variable Names, Implicit Lon functions