The M1586A Conet/c Network Interface Module (Conet/c NIM) is designed add a Conet twisted pair fieldbus network to your Maxiflex system. Conet/c is a ruggedised token-passing peer-to-peer fieldbus network designed to operate over existing plant cabling up to 10km. Using this Conet/c NIM, Maxiflex systems can be interconnected without the need for special fieldbus cabling or specialised fieldbus training.

In addition, the Conet/c NIM supports the development of dedicated applications in the EziFORTH programming language. Programs can be developed and run on theConet/c NIM to implement more complex control and communications applications, without burden on the main Maxiflex CPU. For most applications, this programming is not necessary, and the Conet/c NIM can be integrated into the main CPU as if it were just another network port.

 All data in the NIM is accessible by a SCADA, DCS or PLC via the Maxiflex system CPU through a 4000 register Data Interchange Table.

All system configuration data and dynamic data can be read and written through this convenient table interface.Using the supplied Omniset configuration utility, advanced communications updates with other remote Maxiflex systems may be easily set up without the need for programming. All communications processing is performed in the module, unloading the main Maxiflex CPU for the more important system tasks such as local control and SCADA communications.

Through the use of network routing capability built into the Conet/c protocol, this NIM may form part of a larger network of networks, passing data seamlessly across different network segments transparently to the supervisory computer.