Simplifying device level network troubleshooting

25 April 2001 Test & Measurement

Device level networks have gained in popularity because they offer several advantages over hard-wired systems such as reduced installation cost and increased flexibility. However, what does a plant do when there is a problem with the device network? Conventional test equipment such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters may not be effective in troubleshooting a network problem. What is needed is a network analyser that understands the meaning of the data sent over the wires.

Contemporary Controls recently introduced a DeviceNet analyser that can aid in both the troubleshooting and development of DeviceNet networks. Usually a CAN analyser is used for network analysis since that is the underlying data link layer technology used by DeviceNet. In addition to being expensive, CAN analysers that only display CAN frames are difficult to use and can provide confusing results, frustrating the troubleshooting process. Although the DeviceNet analyser can display raw CAN frames, its main use is displaying DeviceNet protocol information in a meaningful format. The operator can view a connection sequence from the master to a slave and the data being produced by either a master or slave.

The DeviceNet analyser consists of a program on a CD and an intelligent PC card adapter for use in a laptop computer running either Windows 98, NT or 2000. By putting intelligence in the PC card adapter, DeviceNet traffic can be captured in realtime thereby minimising the possibility of missing messages. To remove clutter on the screen, the DeviceNet analyser can filter out particular group messages, MAC IDs or type of I/O responses. Each DeviceNet message is time-stamped. In this way the complete processing of DeviceNet traffic can be observed or saved to hard disk for off-line analysis.

For further information contact Electronic Products Design, (012) 665 9700.

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