24
Modicon Multi-Axis Motion SERCOS Network Configuration, continued
Example of a
Typical SERCOS
Network Ring
Configuration,
continued
As shown in the figure, the ring has eight axes. These axes need not be conf igured
sequentially. Any axis in the ring can be identified as axis 1, axis 2, axis 3, and so
on. However, each address within a ring must be unique.
Benefits of
Fiber-Optic
Communication
The SERCOS multi–axis motion controller coordinates the motion activities of the
various SERCOS axes on the network ring. Fiber optic communication allows
efficient synchronization of multiple axes through flexible SERCOS networking
rather than through a constraining backplane bus configuration. SERCOS
networking allows you to place each drive close to its motor. This reduces and
eliminates cumbersome wiring from the motor to the controller. The fiber–optic
SERCOS protocol provides complete electrical isolation between drive axes as well
as between each drive axis and the motion controller. This eliminates wiring
difficulties, such as ground loops, which are present in hard–wired systems.
Two Typ es of
Fiber-Optic
Communication
The SERCOS protocol allows two types of communication simultaneously
throughout the network ring:
lConstant real–time data updates
lSlower intermittent messaging
This flexibility allows the communication to serve many different types of motion
applications.
Note: For more information on fiber optic connections and signal wiring, see
Chapter 4 and Appendix C.