Figure 1: Layout of a DCDN network
In mission critical environments, DCDN must be designed with necessary failover/fallback layers.
Although static (ESD ) protection is built into each node, high static current can destroy the ICs. Do not touch the bare electronics board without proper ESD protection.
Figure 2: DCDN object hierarchy
This is the main application from which provides access to other classes
NetworkApp[string serialNumber]
serialNumber: A string that denotes the serial number of the network. An empty string or a null value denotes the first available network.
Networks: Returns the
Networks object which is the collection of all networks.
Network denotes a single network. A network consists of one or more nodes.
Nodes[int index]
Returns a collection of Node objects.
Index: The zero based index of the node to return.
You can add or remove nodes at run time. To add a node
Refresh(bool async)
Sends a reset command to all nodes. This results in the nodes replying back with their addresses. This allows all nodes to be enumerated automatically by the Prism Network.
int ID
The index or identifier of the network.
NetworkApp
Points to the NetworkApp parent object.
A collection of node objects.
int Add[int address]
Adds a new node to the network and returns its new index.
address: The address of the node to add
void Remove[int index]
Removes the node at the specific location.
index: The index of the node to remove.
Each node consists of up to eight data channels.
Figure 2: Picture of a single node. The DIP connector in the top left corner of the screen provides I/O access to the node.
These data channels can be a combination of the following:
Figure3: Pinout connection diagram of a node. Each channel can work in several modes of operations.
The maximum output current for channels 6 and 7 is 1.2A. For channels 1 to 5 the maximum output voltage is 5V and maximum current is 100mA. Channel 8 is input only channel that is used to return the On/Off status of the device.
Channels[int index]
Returns a Node objects.
Index: The zero based index of the channel to return.
The Channels objects are set to a fixed count of eight per node.
void SetTimer(int milliSeconds)
Enables or disables the built in timer of the node. Enabling the timer allows the node to send out a periodic status message. The status message consists of the input or output states of each channel.
milliseconds: The number of milliseconds after which the node sends out the status message.
void Refresh (bool async)
Resets the values of the node by sending a “Read” message to the node.
int ID
The index or identifier of the node.
Network Network
Points to the parent Network object.
bool EnableAckMessage
Set to true to allow the node to return an acknowledgement message each time its value is update or a command is sent to it.
bool EnableErrorMessage
Set to true to allow the node to send an error message.
bool EnableSleepOnIdle
Set to true to allow the node to enter the low power sleep state when there are no messages on the network.
A channel represents a single unit of input or output. There are four types of modes in a channel as described below.
void SetPulseWave(int dutyCycle, int frequency)
Sets the PulseFrequency to the desired milli hertz. Pass 0 for both parameters to stop digital wave generation on this channel.
This property only applies to channel 3 and 4 and only if their corresponding Mode has been set to outputPulseWave.
int ID
The zero based index of the channel.
ChannelMode Mode
The mode of operation. The mode is an enumeration of the following:
inputDigital: The channel is meant to be used for a simple on/off state
inputAnalog: The channel will be used for analog to digital conversion. This mode is only applicable to channel 1 to 4. Setting this value for other ports will set the port to an input port.
outputDigital: The channel will be used to power an output device. See specifications for maximum current drain for each channel.
outputPulseWave: The channel will be used for pulse wave output. Only applicable to channel 3 and 4. Setting this value for other ports will set the port to an input port.
int Value
The value denotes the current state of the channel. This value depends on the ChannelMode above. For digital inputs and outputs (inputDigital, outputDigital) the value is 0 for an off state and 1 for on state.
For analogInput the value can range from 0 to 65535 depending on the voltage from the sensor.
For outputPulseWave the value denotes the frequency of the pulse wave.
bool AutoUpdateOnReset
Setting AutoUpdateOnReset enables the channel to be reset to its original value upon power up if the node was shut down.