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Common features of HLS and CUnet

Control network to enable all advanced functions simultaneously
Common features of HLS and CUnet

Four high efficiency is realized simultaneously!

Step Technica’s network can robustly and quickly control small data (bit data) including I/O that is required to control factory automation devices. Protocol specification designed not for transmission rate but for substantial communication rate of each slave allows communication at the maximum speed of 15 µs per node although it is RS485-base network.

 

Since Step Technica’s network IC has built-in communication protocol, customers do not need to develop communication software. User CPU has no communication burden because network ICs in this network automatically communicate each other.
With HLS, master ICs have memory space for the I/O for each slave IC. This memory space is synchronized with the slaves' communication and automatically updated. The user CPU can control I/O just by reading (inputting) and writing (outputting) the memory of the master IC.
With CUnet, each CUnet IC has a memory area to share the control data of all other CUnet ICs. With each network scan cycle, the memories of all the CUnet ICs are synchronized and shared. Thus, a user CPU only has to read the CUnet IC connected to it to control the data of all the CUnet ICs. Multiple-master configuration is also supported. This will allow simple high-reliability communications and reduce the burden of application software development.

Step Technica’s IC is always correcting the waveform automatically for received data. They also determine if the corrected data comply with the specified format. This will help to ensure the received data as "100% correct data" without data corruption.

 

High noise immunity

Even if the transmission waveform is broken due to being affected by various noises from the environment. "Automatic Waveform Correction Function" corrects the waveform, realizing the high noise immunity.

Long distance

Even if the transmission waveform is broken due to long-distance communication (as shown in the diagram). "Automatic Waveform Correction Function" corrects the waveform, realizing the long-distance communication.

Step Technica’s network adopts constant-cycle scan method so that communication rate does not change at all. The turnaround time given to each terminal on the network is fixed. Therefore, the turnaround time for a scan depends on the number of terminals on the network. If a communication error occurs, the error data is discarded and retry is not executed. Thanks to the built-in ultrahigh-speed communication and automatic waveform correction functions, the correct data can be obtained at the next scan without retry.

 

User advantages of using HLS and CUnet

Solutions to annoying network problems

Ultrahigh communication rate for more control
Long-distance connection with ultrahigh-speed kept
Built-in protocols enable simple program development.
Wiring saving (by serial connection) helps reduce the cost, maintenance activities, and space.
High noise immunity solves problems of unstable communications caused by noise.