Schneider Electric 890USE17700 manual What Is a Network Interface Module?, Purpose, The Fieldbus

Introduction

What Is a Network Interface Module?

Purpose	Every island requires a network interface module (NIM) in the leftmost location of the
	primary segment. Physically, the NIM is the first (leftmost) module on the island bus.
	Functionally, it is the gateway to the island bus—all communications to and from the
	island bus pass through the NIM. The NIM also has an integrated power supply that
	provides logic power to the island modules.
The Fieldbus	An island bus is a node of distributed I/O on an open fieldbus network, and the NIM
Network	is the island’s interface to that network. The NIM supports data transfers over the
	fieldbus network between the island and the fieldbus master.
	The physical design of the NIM makes it compatible with both an Advantys STB
	island and your specific fieldbus master. Whereas the fieldbus connector on each
	NIM type may differ, the location on the module front panel is essentially the same.
	Other NIM connectors, such as the power supply interface and the CFG interface
	(See The CFG Interface, p. 33), are identical for all NIM types.

Communications Roles

Communications capabilities provided on a standard NM include:

Function	Role
data exchange	The NIM manages the exchange of input and output data
	between the island and the fieldbus master. Input data, stored in
	native island bus format, is converted to a fieldbus-specific
	format that can be read by the fieldbus master. Output data
	written to the NIM by the master is sent across the island bus to
	update the output modules and is automatically reformatted.
configuration services	Custom services can be performed by the Advantys
	configuration software. These services include changing the
	operating parameters of the I/O modules, fine-tuning island bus
	performance, and configuring reflex actions. The Advantys
	configuration software runs on a computer attached to the NIM’s
	CFG port.
human-machine interface	An HMI panel can be configured as an input and/or output
(HMI) operations	device on the island bus. As an input device, it can write data
	that can be received by the fieldbus master; as an output device,
	it can receive updated data from the fieldbus master. The HMI
	can also monitor island status, data, and diagnostic information.
	The HMI panel must be attached to the NIM’s CFG port.

12 890USE17700 April 2004