National Instruments PCMCIA-FBUS User manual
Fieldbus
Getting Started with
Your PCMCIA-FBUS and the
NI-FBUSTM Software for Windows
PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
February 2004 Edition
Part Number 370517B-01
Support
Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information
ni.com
National Instruments Corporate Headquarters
11500 North Mopac Expressway Austin, Texas 78759-3504 USA Tel: 512 683 0100
Worldwide Offices
Australia 1800 300 800, Austria 43 0 662 45 79 90 0, Belgium 32 0 2 757 00 20, Brazil 55 11 3262 3599,
Canada (Calgary) 403 274 9391, Canada (Ottawa) 613 233 5949, Canada (Québec) 450 510 3055,
Canada (Toronto) 905 785 0085, Canada (Vancouver) 514 685 7530, China 86 21 6555 7838,
Czech Republic 420 224 235 774, Denmark 45 45 76 26 00, Finland 385 0 9 725 725 11,
France 33 0 1 48 14 24 24, Germany 49 0 89 741 31 30, Greece 30 2 10 42 96 427, India 91 80 51190000,
Israel 972 0 3 6393737, Italy 39 02 413091, Japan 81 3 5472 2970, Korea 82 02 3451 3400,
Malaysia 603 9131 0918, Mexico 001 800 010 0793, Netherlands 31 0 348 433 466,
New Zealand 0800 553 322, Norway 47 0 66 90 76 60, Poland 48 22 3390150, Portugal 351 210 311 210,
Russia 7 095 783 68 51, Singapore 65 6226 5886, Slovenia 386 3 425 4200, South Africa 27 0 11 805 8197,
Spain 34 91 640 0085, Sweden 46 0 8 587 895 00, Switzerland 41 56 200 51 51, Taiwan 886 2 2528 7227,
Thailand 662 992 7519, United Kingdom 44 0 1635 523545
For further support information, refer to the Technical Support and Professional Services appendix. To comment
©2002–2004 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.
Important Information
Warranty
The PCMCIA-FBUS is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment, as
evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective
during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.
The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects
in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National
Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives
notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be
uninterrupted or error free.
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside of the package before
any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are
covered by warranty.
National Instruments believes that the information in this document is accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed for technical
accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments reserves the right to make changes to subsequent
editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected.
In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR APARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMER’SRIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
THEREOF. This limitation of the liability of National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including
negligence. Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments
shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not cover
damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow the National Instruments installation, operation, or
maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product; owner’s abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire,
flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside reasonable control.
Copyright
Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of National
Instruments Corporation.
Trademarks
FieldPoint™, LabVIEW™, Lookout™, National Instruments™, NI™, ni.com™, and NI-FBUS™are trademarks of National Instruments
Corporation.
Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
Patents
For patents covering National Instruments products, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file
on your CD, or ni.com/patents.
WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS
(1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING FOR A LEVEL OF
RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN
ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT
INJURY TO A HUMAN.
(2) IN ANY APPLICATION, INCLUDING THE ABOVE, RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS CAN BE
IMPAIRED BY ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY,
COMPUTER HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS, COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE FITNESS, FITNESS OF COMPILERS
AND DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE USED TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION, INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND
HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS, MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING OR CONTROL
DEVICES, TRANSIENT FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE), UNANTICIPATED USES OR
MISUSES, OR ERRORS ON THE PART OF THE USER OR APPLICATIONS DESIGNER (ADVERSE FACTORS SUCH AS THESE ARE
HEREAFTER COLLECTIVELY TERMED “SYSTEM FAILURES”). ANY APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD
CREATE A RISK OF HARM TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK OF BODILY INJURY AND DEATH) SHOULD
NOT BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON ONE FORM OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID
DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MUST TAKE REASONABLY PRUDENT STEPS TO
PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEM FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BACK-UP OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS.
BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS FROM NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS' TESTING
PLATFORMS AND BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MAY USE NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS IN
COMBINATION WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IN A MANNER NOT EVALUATED OR CONTEMPLATED BY NATIONAL
INSTRUMENTS, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND VALIDATING
THE SUITABILITY OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS WHENEVER NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE
INCORPORATED IN A SYSTEM OR APPLICATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE APPROPRIATE DESIGN,
PROCESS AND SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.
Compliance
Compliance with FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference
Regulations
Determining FCC Class
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules to protect wireless communications from interference. The FCC
places digital electronics into two classes. These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial-commercial locations only)
or Class B (for use in residential or commercial locations). All National Instruments (NI) products are FCC Class A products.
Depending on where it is operated, this Class A product could be subject to restrictions in the FCC rules. (In Canada, the
Department of Communications (DOC), of Industry Canada, regulates wireless interference in much the same way.) Digital
electronics emit weak signals during normal operation that can affect radio, television, or other wireless products.
All Class A products display a simple warning statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference and undesired
operation. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations where FCC Class A products can be operated.
Consult the FCC Web site at www.fcc.gov for more information.
FCC/DOC Warnings
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions
in this manual and the CE marking Declaration of Conformity*, may cause interference to radio and television reception.
Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department
of Communications (DOC).
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by NI could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the
FCC Rules.
Class A
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated
in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user is required to correct the interference
at their own expense.
Canadian Department of Communications
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Compliance with EU Directives
Users in the European Union (EU) should refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information* pertaining to the
CE marking. Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory compliance
information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/hardref.nsf, search by model number or product line,
and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.
* The CE marking Declaration of Conformity contains important supplementary information and instructions for the user or
installer.
©National Instruments Corporation v PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
Contents
About This Manual
How To Use the Manual Set..........................................................................................vii
Conventions ...................................................................................................................viii
Related Documentation..................................................................................................ix
Chapter 1
Introduction
What You Need to Get Started ......................................................................................1-1
Hardware Description ....................................................................................................1-1
Software Description .....................................................................................................1-1
Choosing Configuration Software...................................................................1-2
Optional Fieldbus Network Tools..................................................................................1-4
Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration
Installing the Software ...................................................................................................2-1
Installing the Hardware..................................................................................................2-2
Setting the Base Address and IRQ.................................................................................2-4
Setting the Communication Parameters and Interface Name ........................................2-5
Testing the Installation...................................................................................................2-6
Changing the Resources to Eliminate Conflicts ............................................................2-7
Changing or Deleting Existing Interface Information.....................................2-8
Importing Device Descriptions ......................................................................................2-9
Chapter 3
Starting the NIFB Process
Configuring NIFB to Load at System Startup ...............................................................3-1
Beginning to Use Your NI-FBUS Software ..................................................................3-2
Appendix A
Specifications
Appendix B
Pinout Information
©National Instruments Corporation vii PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
About This Manual
This manual contains instructions on how to install and configure the
National Instruments PCMCIA-FBUS card and the NI-FBUS software.
The PCMCIA-FBUS card is intended for use in laptop computers equipped
with a Type II PCMCIA socket.
In this manual, the term PCMCIA-FBUS refers to the PCMCIA-FBUS card
and the PCMCIA-FBUS Series 2 card.
How To Use the Manual Set
Use the Foundation Fieldbus Overview to learn the basics of Fieldbus. The
Foundation Fieldbus Overview also includes tutorials to lead you through
developing a simple Fieldbus application.
Use this getting started manual to install and configure your
PCMCIA-FBUS card and the NI-FBUS software. To install your
PCMACIA-FBUS card in the Windows 2000/XP system environment,
use the Installation Guide: Foundation Fieldbus Hardware and NI-FBUS
Software for Windows 2000/XP.
If you are using the NI-FBUS Configurator, use the NI-FBUS Configurator
User Manual to install and use the NI-FBUS Configurator software.
If you are using the NI-FBUS Communications Manager Application
Programmer Interface (API), use the NI-FBUS Communications Manager
User Manual to learn how to use the NI-FBUS Communications Manager
API for your application. Use the NI-FBUS Communications Manager
Function Reference Manual to look up specific information about
NI-FBUS Communications Manager functions, such as syntax and error
messages.
About This Manual
PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows viii ni.com
Conventions
The following conventions appear in this manual:
»The »symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options
to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options
from the last dialog box.
This icon denotes a tip, which alerts you to advisory information.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to
avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.
bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such
as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter
names and hardware labels.
italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction
to a key concept. This font also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the
keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames, and extensions.
monospace bold Bold text in this font denotes the messages and responses that the computer
automatically prints to the screen. This font also emphasizes lines of code
that are different from the other examples.
monospace italic Italic text in this font denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value
that you must supply.
NI-FBUS software In this manual, the term NI-FBUS software refers to either the NI-FBUS
Communications Manager or NI-FBUS Configurator software.
About This Manual
©National Instruments Corporation ix PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
PCMCIA-FBUS In this manual, the term PCMCIA-FBUS refers to both the single-port
PCMCIA-FBUS card and the dual-port PCMCIA-FBUS/2 card, unless
otherwise indicated.
Platform Text in this font denotes a specific platform and indicates that the text
following it applies only to that platform.
Related Documentation
The following documents contain information that you might find helpful
as you read this manual:
General Fieldbus Web sites:
• Fieldbus Foundation—Responsible for the definition of the
Foundation Fieldbus specification. www.fieldbus.org
• Relcom, Inc.—Wiring and test equipment for Foundation Fieldbus.
www.relcominc.com/fieldbus
• Fieldbus, Inc.—Device developers and Foundation Fieldbus
consulting. www.fieldbusinc.com
Fieldbus system development documentation:
• Fieldbus Foundation resources
–Wiring and Installation 31.25 kbit/s, Voltage Mode, Wire Medium
• Relcom Fieldbus resources online
– Wiring Design and Installation Guide
– Online Tutorial
–FAQ
– Sample Fieldbus Topologies
• Fieldbus Standard for Use in Industrial Control Systems, Part 2,
ISA-S50.02.1992
Fieldbus device development documentation:
•Developing Your First Foundation Fieldbus Device, available from
the Fieldbus, Inc. Web site at www.fieldbusinc.com
•Foundation Specification: 31.25 kbit/s Physical Layer Profile for the
Foundation Fieldbus Physical Layer Specifications
• Function Block Application Process, Part 1
©National Instruments Corporation 1-1 PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
1
Introduction
This chapter lists what you need to get started and includes a brief
description of the PCMCIA-FBUS card and the NI-FBUS software.
What You Need to Get Started
To install your NI-FBUS software, you need the following items:
❑PCMCIA-FBUS card
❑PCMCIA-FBUS cable
❑Installation CD kit
❑Windows 2000/NT/XP installed on your computer
Hardware Description
The PCMCIA-FBUS is a Type II PC card that handles communication
between a PCMCIA-compatible computer and one or more
network-configurable devices that comply with the Fieldbus Foundation
H1 specification. The PCMCIA-FBUS uses the Intel 386EX embedded
processor, shared memory, and an interrupt to communicate with its driver.
The PCMCIA-FBUS supports the Fieldbus transfer rate of 31.25 kb/s.
The single-port PCMCIA Fieldbus card is called the PCMCIA-FBUS
and the dual-port PCMCIA Fieldbus card is called the PCMCIA-FBUS/2.
In this manual, the term PCMCIA-FBUS refers to both the single-port
PCMCIA-FBUS card and the dual-port PCMCIA-FBUS/2 card, unless
otherwise indicated.
Software Description
Your kit includes either the NI-FBUS Communications Manager software
or the NI-FBUS Configurator software. Depending on the system you
purchase, you may receive both disks. If this is the case, use the NI-FBUS
Configurator software.
Chapter 1 Introduction
PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows 1-2 ni.com
The NI-FBUS Communications manager software is used by the interface
boards to communicate over the bus. Additionally, it provides a high-level
API advanced users can use to interface with the National Instruments
Foundation Fieldbus communication stack and hardware.
Most users use the NI-FBUS Configurator. In addition to providing the
functionality of the NI-FBUS Communications Manager in a graphical
format, it includes additional functionality to allow you to configure
a Fieldbus network. It can automatically generate the schedule for the
network and configure field devices and hosts to transmit and receive
alarms and trends.
Choosing Configuration Software
Foundation Fieldbus links must be configured. Only with configuration
software can you do things like set device addresses, clear devices, and
download (necessary if you are setting up a system for the first time).
Your configuration software must match the interface card your computer
is using to connect to the bus. National Instruments offers the NI-FBUS
Configurator with a National Instruments Foundation Fieldbus interface
card to let you configure your Fieldbus links.
Interface cards and configuration software are sold separately because
multiple interface cards can reside in the same computer. The NI-FBUS
Configurator, by default, is licensed for use on one machine, with up to four
Fieldbus links (segments). If you have more than four links (ports on the
cards), you need to purchase a link upgrade for each link in excess of four.
To do so, download the order form from ni.com/fieldbus.
Note The connection to one interface port on the interface card is viewed as one link
by the NI-FBUS Configurator, regardless of how many links might actually be joined
by repeaters. This is important for software licensing of the NI-FBUS Configurator.
If you only want to use the card to read and write values only (not
configure) and you are a programmer, you can make calls to the API in
the NI-FBUS Communications Manager and do not need the NI-FBUS
Configurator. This is possible only if you have already used third-party
hardware and configuration software to configure the link.
Chapter 1 Introduction
©National Instruments Corporation 1-3 PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
Table 1-1 describes the National Instruments Fieldbus software.
Table 1-1. National Instruments Fieldbus Software
Software Application Short Name Description File Name
NI-FBUS
Communications
Manager
NIFB process This must be running
for you to use your
PCMCIA-FBUS card
as a Fieldbus interface
to communicate
between the card and
the bus.
nifb.exe
NI-FBUS Interface
Configuration Utility
Interface Config Used to configure your
PCMCIA-FBUS card.
fbconf.exe
NI-FBUS
Configurator
NI-FBUS
Configurator
Used to configure the
devices on the bus,
set the parameters for
control loops, and other
Fieldbus configuration
tasks.
fcs.exe
NI-FBUS Dialog
System
NI-FBUS Dialog Used to view the
devices on the bus and
manually read and
write parameter values.
Not for configuration.
nifbdlg.exe
NI-FBUS Fieldbus
Monitor
NI-FMON
(also known as
NI Fieldbus
Monitor)
Functions as a bus
monitor, letting you
view all packets sent
over the bus. Primarily
used by developers to
debug new devices.
ni-fmon.exe
Server Explorer Server Explorer Lets you configure
the attributes of the
communication
resource, device, and
items of your network,
and the groups and
items of your OPC
server.
serverexplorer.exe
Chapter 1 Introduction
PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows 1-4 ni.com
Optional Fieldbus Network Tools
Your kit includes either the NI-FBUS Communications Manager software,
the NI-FBUS Configurator software, or both. In addition, you can order
the NI-FBUS Monitor, LabVIEW DSC, and/or Lookout from National
Instruments. If you have not already done so, you also can order the
NI-FBUS Configurator.
The NI-FBUS Monitor helps you monitor and debug Fieldbus data traffic.
It is primarily used to debug the development of device and host
applications. It symbolically decodes data packets from the Fieldbus,
monitors the live list (devices currently on the bus), and performs statistical
analysis of packets.
Note If you are using this interface as a bus monitor, the other interface (if this is a
two-port card) cannot be used for NI-FBUS. This means that you must have another link
master on the link—either another PCMCIA-FBUS card, or a device with link master
capabilities. An interface card can either run NI-FBUS software or NI-FMON software at
any given time. If the card has two ports, they both must have the same usage. This is
because a different stack is downloaded to the card for it to be used in conjunction with
NI-FMON. Your interface card must be running NI-FBUS to act as the Link Active
Scheduler. This means that if your interface card is the only link master on the link, you
cannot use that card for running NI-FMON (even if the card has two ports) since that would
leave the link without a link master. In this situation, you would need to obtain either a link
master field device or another link master interface card in order to use NI-FMON.
LabVIEW DSC helps you perform data acquisition and analysis, create
a human-machine interface (HMI), or develop an advanced supervisory
control application in a graphical development environment.
LabVIEW DSC includes real-time process monitoring, historical trending,
alarm and event reporting, online configuration, and PLC connectivity.
Lookout helps you create graphical representations on a computer screen
of real-world devices such as switches, dial gauges, chart recorders,
pushbuttons, knobs, sliders, and meters. After linking these images to your
field instruments, you can configure Lookout to generate alarms, log data
to disk, animate custom graphics, print reports, automatically adjust
setpoints, historically trend information, warn operators of malfunctions,
and so on.
©National Instruments Corporation 2-1 PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
2
Installation and Configuration
These installation and configuration instructions are for
Windows 2000/NT. If you are using the Windows XP operating
system, refer to the Installation Guide: Foundation Fieldbus Hardware
and NI-FBUS Software for Windows 2000/XP.
Installing the Software
Complete the following steps to install your NI-FBUS software.
Caution If you are reinstalling the NI-FBUS software over an existing version, write down
your card configuration and any port configuration parameters you changed from their
defaults. Reinstalling may cause you to lose any existing card and port configuration
information.
1. Log in as Administrator or as a user that has Administrator
privileges.
2. Insert installation disk 1 or your NI-FBUS program CD.
3. Select Start»Run.
4. In the Run dialog box, type the following:
x:\setup
where xis the letter of the drive containing the disk (usually aor b).
The interactive setup program takes you through the necessary steps to
install the software.
The installation program copies nifb.dll and drvintf.dll into your
\System32 directory, and it copies the nifb.sys driver into the
\drivers directory. The installation program also adds information to the
Windows Registry.
Continue to the Installing the Hardware section to configure and install
your card.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows 2-2 ni.com
Installing the Hardware
Caution Before you remove the card from the package, touch the antistatic plastic package
to a metal part of your system chassis to discharge electrostatic energy, which can damage
several components on your PCMCIA-FBUS card.
To install the PCMCIA-FBUS card, complete the following steps:
1. Shut down your operating system and power off your computer.
2. Insert the card into a free PC Card (PCMCIA) socket. The card has
no jumpers or switches to set. Figure 2-1 shows how to insert the
PCMCIA-FBUS and how to connect the PCMCIA-FBUS cable
and connector to the PCMCIA-FBUS card. However, the
PCMCIA-FBUS/2 card has two connectors. Refer to Appendix B,
Pinout Information, for more information about these two connectors.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
©National Instruments Corporation 2-3 PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
Figure 2-1. Inserting the PCMCIA-FBUS
3. Connect the PCMCIA-FBUS to the Fieldbus network.
Your kit contains one PCMCIA-FBUS cable. Refer to Appendix B,
Pinout Information, if you need to make a longer cable than the
PCMCIA-FBUS cable provided.
4. Power on your computer.
1 Portable Computer 2 PCMCIA Socket 3 PCMCIA-FBUS Cable
1
2
3
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows 2-4 ni.com
Setting the Base Address and IRQ
Note You can connect only one NI-FBUS port to a link or Fieldbus.
Complete the following steps to use the NI-FBUS Interface Configuration
utility to add, view, or change your base address or IRQ settings.
1. Start the NI-FBUS Interface Configuration utility by selecting Start»
Programs»National Instruments FBUS»Interface Config.
2. In the Interface Config window, select the icon of the card you want
to change and click the Edit button. If you are adding a card, click the
Add Interface Device button.
3. Choose PCMCIA as the Bus Type. The NI-FBUS Interface
Configuration utility displays the default base address and IRQ line.
4. Change the default base memory address and interrupt request settings
if they do not match the settings on your card.
If you have configured your PCMCIA-FBUS card not to use interrupts,
select No Interrupt from the IRQ drop-down list, and select the
Polled Mode checkbox.
5. Select the number of ports that matches your PCMCIA-FBUS.
For example, select two ports for the PCMCIA-FBUS/2.
6. After verifying the information you just entered, click the OK button
or the Add button. The dialog box for entering port information for the
Fieldbus interface opens.
7. Click the OK button.
Proceed to the Setting the Communication Parameters and Interface Name
section.
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
©National Instruments Corporation 2-5 PCMCIA-FBUS for Windows
Setting the Communication Parameters and
Interface Name
Complete the following steps to use the NI-FBUS Interface Configuration
utility to set the Fieldbus communication parameters and interface name.
1. Start the NI-FBUS Interface Configuration utility by selecting
Start»Programs»National Instruments FBUS»Interface Config.
2. Select the port you want to edit, and click the Edit button.
The NI-FBUS Interface Configuration utility displays the default
interface name and some configuration information.
3. Enter an interface name for the port, or use the default name.
The interface name is for local use on the PC.
4. Enter a unique tag in the Device Tag field, or use the default device
tag. The device tag is the name visible on the Fieldbus to the other
devices.
5. Your interface must be given either a fixed or visitor device address for
you to start using NI-FBUS. This address must be unique on the link
to which the interface is connected.
a. To assign a fixed address to your Fieldbus interface, choose Fixed
Address and enter a value in the range 0x10 to 0xF7.
By convention, the lower addresses starting at 0x10 are usually
used for interface boards and link masters. Upper addresses,
starting at 0xF7 and working down, are generally used for other
devices. Using a lower address for your interface will reduce the
likelihood that the interface will conflict with another device on
the bus.
b. If you want your interface to be a temporary device that you do not
intend to connect to the Fieldbus for an extended time, choose
Visitor Address. Over a long period of time, using a visitor
address could break VCR endpoints and cause VCR_FULL_ERROR
errors.
c. If you want third-party Fieldbus configuration software to assign
an address to your interface over the Fieldbus, choose Default
Address. You should only choose to use a default address when
you want third-party configuration software to assign a permanent
address. A device at a default address cannot be communicated
with until a permanent address has been assigned by the
configuration software.
6. Select a Device Type. You should choose to use Link Master Device.
This manual suits for next models
2
Table of contents
