Communication System Components; Communication Software - ABB MicroSCADA Pro SYS 600 Technical Description

1MRS751852-MUM
4.5.
4.5.1.
MicroSCADA Pro
System Overview
Technical Description

Communication system components

The communication system contains communication software, communication
hardware and networks.

Communication software

Communication software includes protocols, protocol environment software,
supporting software, operating system and devices.
Protocols
Every-day transmission involves, besides the communication hardware, also logical
agreements, i.e. protocols. Protocols are a set of "traffic rules" and conventions for
sending information in the network. They govern the content, format, timing,
sequencing and error control of messages.
Transmitted data is coded according to the protocol rules. Protocols are very
important when it comes to the communication in a system.
SPA, RP 570 and LonTalk are examples of master protocols that can be used for
process communication in a MicroSCADA system. Communication between the
base system and communication front-ends is based on the internal protocol of
MicroSCADA. Slave protocols are used for communication between the NET units
and network control centers.
Protocol development software
CPI (Communication Programming Interface) is a protocol development software
that is used for implemented protocols in MicroSCADA environment. It is a
collection of functions that help to convert between the internal protocol of
MicroSCADA and some other protocols. An application program, which exchanges
data between MicroSCADA and a foreign system, can be made by using CPI. The
communication between a CPI application program and MicroSCADA base system
is based on TCP/IP network.
Supporting software
Supporting software is needed for running communication software. It can be either
a MFL or a base system. The base system is used as the supporting software when
PC-NET is used in a COM 530 communication front-end. (MFL is described in
Section 4.3.)
Operating system and device software
An operating system can be either Windows NT or DOS. In COM 500 or SYS 500
the operating system is always Windows NT. Device software contains e.g. different
programs that are used to handle communication with a LMK device, SPA device
or printer. The software uses point definitions in the NET unit, for example, for
L W or SPA points.
ON ORKS
1. LonTalk is a trademark of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and
other countries.
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