KS8000 Communication Software
The Beckhoff KS8000 Communication Library provides functions with which it is possible to communicate with the serial Bus Couplers (BK8000, BK8100, IP/ILxxxx-B8x0) easily via a serial PC interface. The KS8000 can be used as an OCX with all programming languages that use the Component Object Model (COM) specifications from Microsoft (VC++, Visual Basic from version 4.0, Delphi, Java, etc). The KS8000 library also has a DLL interface for any other C/C++ programs.
Accessing the process image
Via the serial PC interface the KS8000 enables access to the input and output process image of the BK8x00 Bus Couplers or the IP/ILxxxx-B8x0 Fieldbus Boxes.
With each serial PC interface, communication with
- a BK8100 coupler (RS232) or
- a Fieldbus Box IP/ILxxxx-B810 (RS232) or
- up to 99 BK8000 couplers (RS485) or
- up to 69 Fieldbus Boxes IP/ILxxxx-B800 (RS485)
can be established. Such communication transfers the whole of the input and output process image. The communication duration therefore depends on the size of the process image. For example, with an RS232 coupler at 38400 baud and
- a process image of one word, the communication duration is approx. 6 ms;
- a process image of 15 words, the communication duration is approx. 20 ms.
Interface for LabVIEW applications
The KS8000 contains an interface for the LabVIEW programming software from National Instruments. LabVIEW solutions consist of what are known as front panels, which serve as the man/machine interface, and of a block diagram, which embodies the actual control program. KS8000 provides LabVIEW users with a greatly simplified method of access to all the process data.
Operation of KS8000 or TwinCAT via the RS485COM port requires a PC card that automatically switches between send and receive mode without echo (e.g. C9900-A440: RS 485 high speed with 2 serial interfaces, optically decoupled, overvoltage protection, ISA bus).