canbus Question

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Steve001
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canbus Question

Post by Steve001 »

Just a quick one . . .

Has anybody interfaced to one of these ? Via Eblocks Canbus
http://www.advantech.com/products/ADAM- ... CIPGH.aspx

Plugs into this controller

http://www.advantech.com/products/ADAM- ... MLE4O.aspx

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Re: canbus Question

Post by Benj »

Hello,

What does it do? Is it simply a message repeater?

Looks expensive for what it is but it should work with Flowcode CAN no problem.

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Re: canbus Question

Post by Steve001 »

its a PLC that is used for data logging applications and Industrial Automation

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Re: canbus Question

Post by Benj »

Hi Steve,

I see, that explains the cost :)

The CAN protocol used by Flowcode should be 100% compatible with any other device that is quoting CAN bus.

Have your seen our MIAC device? Would that be a better option instead of your PLC.

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Re: canbus Question

Post by Steve001 »

Hi Benj,

I have seen your MIAC device and it looks good,
but the the adams units offer more analoge inputs
we are using 2x at the moment with 127 thermocouple inputs on them . . . eeek


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Re: canbus Question

Post by Benj »

Wow thats a lot of analogue. Are you using a lookup table to read the sensor inputs or are you using on the fly calculations? Just asking because with that many sensors a look up table approach would really save you a lot of processing time.

Let me know how you get on.

Remember there are always tricks eg using a hardware multiplexer to switch the signal going into an analogue pin. This means it may take longer to cycle through each sensor and you will have to do additional switching but if speed is not really a limiting factor then this could be an option for you. Eg 4 transistor outputs could be used to multiplex 16 analogue channels per analogue terminal. This would relate to 16 * 8 = 128 analogue channels on a single MIAC. This combined with the fact you can connect MIAC devices together using CAN bus.

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Re: canbus Question

Post by Steve001 »

Hi Benj,

yes look up tables are used in that system ,

I have just passed details of your MIAC Controller to our development manager ,

It looks good for a possible up coming project that is in the pipe line.
The only drawback is that we may need 9 analog inputs

Are the MIAC Controllers available seperately? as i can only find bundles on the web site

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Re: canbus Question

Post by Benj »

Hi Steve,

MIAC cost is currently £120 ex VAT. They are each bundled with a free V3 Flowcode but this does not bump the cost up. We think £120 is a pretty good price for a mini-PLC with CAN bus and free software.

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Re: canbus Question

Post by Steve001 »

Thanks for that will pass that info on,

I informed you incorrectley on the Adams unit, Each thermocouple in fact has an address
which is accessed via modbus , Each card of 7 thermocouples is then downloaded in one go from the
assigned registers and sorted from there a card at a time

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