ISA Bus Card Interfaces PCs to A-B Networks

The DataLink DL-PC (DL) is an ISA bus pc card that enables Computers, PCs and OEM equipment to connect to Allen-Bradley networks at high-speed. The DL can be configured as either a station on Data Highway Plus or as one or more adapters (virtual racks) on Remote I/O.

Highlights:

• Less expensive alternative to A-B 1784-PKTX, 1784,PTXD, 1784 PKTS, 1784-PCMK, 5136-SD
• Fastest pc interface to DH+ and RIO.
• Runs existing A-B serial protocols at bus speeds.
• A-B network speeds up to 230.4 KB.
• In-place menu configuration; no jumpers to set.
• Built-in firmware; operates independent of PC.
• Card includes DH+ & RIO (adapter) protocols.
• 1 year warranty & 30 day money-back guarantee

DL's interface to ISA bus using the same COM port emulator as an internal modem card. The built-in COM port front-end buffers the byte data in RAM memory, converts it to serial and then transmits it directly to DH+ or RIO at full network speeds.

The DL's built-in CPU, RAM, and operating firmware in socketted EPROM frees-up valuable computer memory and system resources for use by the application. This unique approach enables ISA bus computers to connect to A-B networks at high speeds using standad communications software. The actual system throughput will depend on CPU, clock speed, application software, A-B network speed and traffic etc.

The DL enables existing A-B DF1 serial drivers, ie. drivers for PLC Channel 0, 1770-KF2 or 1785-KE, to be used with Operating Systems including DOS, Unix & Windows, in applications such as Operator Interfaces, PLC Programming, SCADA and Data Acquisition.

In adapter mode the DL can be configured for 1 to 8 (virtual) racks. A computer can read all the I/O image data on RIO, write a maximum 1024 bits and read/write 64 data blocks of up to 64 words each.