ProSoft Technology MVI69-FLN - Manual (Page 77)

Reference MVI69-FLN ♦ CompactLogix Platform
FA Control Network Communication Module
ProSoft Technology, Inc. Page 77 of 137
November 3, 2008
3.2 Functional Overview
3.2.1 About FL-net Protocol
FL-net is an open FA network that was standardized by the Japan FA Open
Systems Promotion Group (JOP) of the Manufacturing Science and Technology
Center (MSTC) under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). It
has been established in the Japan Electrical Manufacturers standards (JEM
1479) and is becoming very popular.
FL-net enables personal computers and FA controllers, such as programmable
controllers (PLCs) or computerized numeric controllers (CNCs), by different
manufacturers to be interconnected, controlled, and monitored, as shown in the
following illustration.
The following illustration shows the positioning of the FL-net.
FL-net (Version 2.00) Unit specifications have been designed to conform to
Japan Electrical Manufacturers standards (JEM 1479: 2001). It cannot be
connected to communications devices based on the previous standards (JEM
1479: 2000).
The most recent FL-net specifications can be downloaded from the home page of
the Japan Electrical Manufacturers Association (http://www.jema-
net.or.jp/Japanese/hyojun/opcn_e/opcn07.htm (http://www.jema-
net.or.jp/japanese/hyojun/opcn_e/opcn07.htm)
User-defined Specifications
1 User-defined specifications allow the following range of features that are
required for FA systems.
2 Large-scale network
Up to 254 devices (nodes) can be connected in the physical layer of the
network.
"1 through 254" shall be used as node number. However, numbers "250
through 254" are reserved for maintenance purposes. Number "0" shall not
be used.
Number "255" shall be used as the global address for broadcasting.