AB Logix Ethernet
Review the following information to set up and configure the AB Logix Ethernet driver.
Overview
The driver implements two modes: Symbolic and Logical. It also supports backplane routing.
Symbolic Mode
In Symbolic mode, the driver uses the symbolic tag names in its requests to the PLC, so performance will be reduced if you add tags with long names or need to traverse complex structs. Compared to Logical mode, it performs better when dealing with changes to the PLC program.
Logical Mode
In Logical mode, the driver uses ID-based requests for FlexLogix, CompactLogix, and ControlLogix PLCs for all firmware versions. The driver uses numeric handles instead of symbolic names. Usually, this allows for reading more tags per request than in symbolic mode, especially if symbolic names are long. However, the driver must be restarted every time the PLC program changes. It performs better overall than Symbolic mode as long as the PLC program does not change.
Routing
This driver also supports routing. To route through a connected device, configure the IP address of the device, then 1 to port to backplane and then enter the appropriate routing and slot number of the device.
Manufacturing Connect Edge Compatible Series
Compatibility parameter | Compatible items |
|---|---|
Driver type | Ethernet |
Validated devices/series | FlexLogix CompactLogix ControlLogix When configuring tags for this driver, you must enter the register name precisely as defined in the PLC. See the Free Tags section below to learn more. |
To set up and configure this device in Manufacturing Connect Edge, you will need to do the following:
- Step 1: Set up and Configure the PLC Device
- Step 2: Set up the PLC Device in Manufacturing Connect Edge DeviceHub
- Step 3: Configure the List of Registers
Step 1: Set up and Configure the PLC Device
If the device is configured for Ethernet access, find its network parameters. Otherwise, use PLC software on your computer to configure the device for Ethernet access.
Step 2: Set up the PLC Device in Manufacturing Connect Edge DeviceHub
Configure the following parameters when you Connect a DeviceConnect a Device with this driver. Update default values to the specific setup of your device.
Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
Type | Allen-Bradley |
Driver | AB Logix Ethernet |
Network Address | The device address you defined in Step 1 |
Network Port | 44818 |
Access Mode | Select Symbolic or Logical |
Route | 1,0 (Route describes the path the message takes to get to the destination) |
Step 3: Configure the List of Registers
When you Add TagsAdd Tags to the connected device, refer to the following tag parameters and available value types.
You can also Search for Pre-defined Device TagsSearch for Pre-defined Device Tags for this device.
Refer to the following additional resources:
- Organize Device and Tag Data by Using MetadataOrganize Device and Tag Data by Using Metadata
- Tag Formula VariablesTag Formula Variables
Free Tags
This driver doesn't have a list of available register names in the DeviceHub Add Tag form.
To add tags, you must enter the register name exactly as it is defined in the PLC.
Available Value Types
- bool
- byte
- sint
- int
- dint
- real
- dword
- lint
- lreal
- string
Tag Parameters
- Name: Enter the case-sensitive register name exactly as it is defined in the PLC.
- Value Type: Select a data type from the drop-down list.
- Polling Interval: Enter a value in seconds. This determines how often the tag should poll the register for data.
- Tag Name: Enter a name for the tag.
- Description (Optional): Enter a description for the tag.
- Tag Formula: Enter a formula for the tag to process the generated data. Two variables are permitted: value (current tag value) and timestamp (current tag UNIX time in milliseconds). The following math functions are available:
- sin
- cos
- sqrt
- tan
- power: power(x) performs the operation 10^x.
- log: log(x) is the natural logarithm (the logarithm is in base e).
- exp: exp(x) performs the operation e^x.
- Only Publish on Change of Value: Select the checkbox to only publish NATS messages when the value parameter changes to a new value. Change of Value only applies to boolean, numeric (such as int or float), and simple string data types. It does not apply to complex types, such as JSON or array. Poll-once topics will not be affected by Change of Value settings. These topics will still only see a single message.
- Meta Data: Metadata summarizes basic information about data. This feature allows you to define key-value pair data for the device output payload later on. Metadata can then be used to find, use, and reuse particular instances of data.
Note: If you use special characters in meta data key names, the special characters are replaced with underscore characters in the payload. This can cause two key names to be combined into one. For example, configuring the key names a**b and a&&b will cause only one key name to be created (a__b).