Horner APG XLt OCS - Manual (Page 27)

MAN0878-04-EN CH. 7
August 12, 2009 Page 27 of 100 ECN # 979
CHAPTER 7: COMMUNICATION OPTIONS
7.1 Overview
To supplement the built-in MJ1 and MJ2 serial ports (see CHAPTER 5), additional communication options
are available. This is accomplished by installing a COM module internal to the XLe/XLt controller.
Currently, there are two COM modules available for this purpose: Ethernet (XEC) and Modem (XMC).
7.1.1 MJ1 shares its serial port with the optional COM module, so when an Ethernet or Modem
COM module is installed and active, the MJ1 connector is inactive.
Internal to the XLe/XLt, there is a CPU board, and up to two installed modules. Models XE000/XT000
and XE100/XT100 have no installed I/O or COM modules. All other models have an I/O module in Slot 1
and can have a user-installed COM module in Slot 2.
This chapter briefly describes both the Ethernet and Modem COM module options. For detailed
information regarding these modules, please refer to the individual documents provided with the modules.
7.2
Ethernet COM Module (XEC) Option
An Ethernet COM module can be installed to allow Cscape programming of an XLe/XLt over a Local Area
Network or over the Internet. In addition, the Horner OPC Server can be installed on a PC to allow other
standard PC applications (such as database and spreadsheets programs) access to XLe/XLt register
data.
The Ethernet COM module supports both 10 BaseT (10 MHz) and 100 BaseTx (100 MHz) as well as both
half and full duplex communication. Both the connection speed and the duplex are auto-negotiated.
Although the physical connection between the Ethernet COM Module and the Local Area Network is done
using a standard Ethernet cable (CAT5 or better with RJ45 modular plug), a Serial Port Tunnel protocol
is employed that makes the Ethernet COM Module appear as a serial port to Cscape or OPC Server
software running on the PC.
On the XLe/XLt end of the Serial Port Tunnel, the Ethernet COM module should be properly configured
using the XLe/XLt System Menu (see CHAPTER 11). This configuration consists of making Ethernet the
Default Programming Port and setting its target IP Address, Net Mask and optionally the Gateway IP
Address. The Gateway IP Address is required if the XLe/XLt will be accessed from outside the Local
Area Network (e.g. the Internet).
On the PC end of the Serial Port Tunnel, the PC should be connected to the Local Area Network (or to
the Internet) and a Com Port Redirector driver must be installed on the PC and properly configured.
The Com Port Redirector allows multiple “virtual” PC serial ports to be created and each one can be
assigned to a different target device IP Address, thus allowing access to Ethernet COM modules in
multiple XLe/XLt controllers.
After installing and configuring both the Ethernet COM module and the Com Port Redirector, Cscape or
OPC Server software should be set up to communicate to one of the “virtual” serial ports, at which point
they should function as if a “real” PC serial port was connected to the XLe/XLt MJ1 serial port.