Single Mode Communications Half Duplex (Rs-485); Interfacing Party Mode Communications; Figure 2.2.2: Half Duplex 2 Wire Communications (Rs-485) - Intelligent Motion Systems MDrive17Plus Hardware Reference Manual

2-6

Single Mode Communications Half Duplex (RS-485)

The MDrivePlus Motion Control can be operated in a 2 wire RS-485 communication bus. Before connect-
ing the 2 wire RS-485, download your program and setup instructions using the standard 4 wire RS-422
Communications Cable. If a program is not being used, download and save any setup parameters. To ensure
the MDrivePlus responds only to commands specifically meant for it, set the unit in Party Mode (Please see
Party Mode below). The Echo Mode command (EM) must be set to the value of 1 (EM=1). This will set the
MDrivePlus communication into "half duplex" mode. Connect the driver in the 2 wire RS-485 configuration.
The following diagram illustrates how to connect the MDrivePlus 4 wire RS-485 to operate as a 2 wire system.
2 Wire RS-485
Comm GND

Figure 2.2.2: Half Duplex 2 Wire Communications (RS-485)

Interfacing Party Mode Communications

In systems with multiple controllers it is necessary to communicate with the control modules using party
mode (PY=1). The MDrivePlus Motion Control nodes in the system are configured in software for this
mode of operation by setting the Party Flag (PY) to True (1). It is necessary for all of the nodes in a system
to have this configuration selected. When operating in party mode, each MDrive Motion Control in the
system will need a unique address, or name, to identify it in the system. This is accomplished by using the
software command DN, or Device Name. For example, to set the name of an MDrive to "A" you would
use the following command: DN=65 or DN="A" (65 is the ASCII decimal equivalent of uppercase A).
The factory default name is "!". The asterisk character "*" is used to issue global commands to every device
in the system. NOTE: When using the asterisk "*" in Party Mode, typed entries and commands will not
be echoed. See Appendix B for ASCII table.
In setting up your system for party operation, the most practical approach is to observe the following
steps:
1. Connect the first MDrivePlus Motion Control to the Host PC configured for Single Mode
Operation.
2. Establish communications and download program if required.
3. Using the command DN, name the MDrivePlus Motion Control. This can be any upper or lower case
ASCII character or number 0-9. (DN="A"{enter}) (Note: The quotation marks before and after the
device name are required.)
4. Set the party flag PY=1{enter}.
5. Press CTRL+J to activate the Party Mode.
6. Type the letters AS and press CTRL+J (Save device name and Party Mode).
7. Remove power.
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for each additional MDrive in the system.
9. After all MDrives are assigned a Device Name the Multiple MDrive Interface can be configured as
shown in the following figure.
MDrivePlus/Plus 2
10-PIN IDC
FRICTION LOCK
WIRE CRIMP
Pin 10
Pin 4, 7
B
Pin 3, 6
A
Pin 2, 8
Pin 4,10
Pin 1, 9
2
MDrivePlus -65
10-PIN 5-PIN M12
CGND
Pin 2 Pin 5
RX-
Pin 3, 8 Pin 4
RX+
Pin 3
Pin 6, 7
TX-
Pin 1
Pin 1, 9 Pin 2 TX+
MDI Hardware Manual Revision R050406