Product developers looking to add support for CompoNet for their products can now obtain dedicated developer toolkits directly from ODVA. The first toolkit to be released includes the hardware and software needed to get started in the process of building CompoNet slaves and repeaters.
Complementary to the entire family of CIP Networks, CompoNet has been designed to meet the requirements of applications using large numbers of simple sensors and actuators by providing high speed communications, a configuration tool, efficient construction, simple set-up and high availability - all on a single network.
ODVA executive director Katherine Voss comments: “One of ODVA’s key missions is to facilitate vendor adoption of ODVA technologies. By providing this developer toolkit, ODVA is aiding vendors in starting CompoNet product development.”
The hardware delivered as standard in the toolkit includes slave/repeater ASICs, transformers and receivers. Cable and accessories are also provided, including connectors, terminators and a connector assembly tool. The hardware is available for both IP20 and IP54 environments.
The toolkit’s software components include sample code for slaves/repeaters, whilst the comprehensive documentation provides a full description of the sample source code, a sample circuit diagram for slaves, and a guide for hardware design.