BC9100 | Ethernet TCP/IP Bus Terminal Controller

The Bus Terminal Controller BC9100 is a Bus Coupler with integrated PLC functionality and has a fieldbus interface for Ethernet. The BC9100 is an intelligent slave and can be used as a non-central intelligence in the Ethernet system. One unit consists of the Bus Terminal Controller, any number of terminals between 1 and 64, and a bus end terminal.

The Bus Terminal Controller is programmed using the TwinCAT 2 programming system conforms to IEC 61131-3. The configuration/programming interface on the BC9100 is used to load the PLC program. If the software PLC TwinCAT is in use, the PLC program can also be loaded via Ethernet.

The inputs and outputs of the connected Bus Terminals are assigned in the PLC’s default setting. Each Bus Terminal can be configured in such a way that it exchanges data directly through the fieldbus with the higher-level automation device. Similarly, pre-processed data can be exchanged between the Bus Terminal Controller and the higher-level controller via the fieldbus.

In contrast to the BC9000, the BC9100 has an additional RJ45 port. Both Ethernet ports operate as 2-channel switches. The I/O stations can thus be configured in a line topology, rather than the classic star topology. In many applications this significantly reduces the wiring effort and the cabling costs. The maximum distance between two Bus Terminal Controllers is 100 m. Up to 20 BC9100 Ethernet controllers are cascadable, so that a maximum line length of 2 km can be achieved.

Controller for distributed signal processing

The BC9100 Bus Terminal Controller supports the operation of all Bus Terminal types. As far as the user is concerned, the inputs and outputs are not handled any differently from the way they are by other coupler series. The information is made available for use as a byte array in the process image of the automation device.

The analog and multi-functional Bus Terminals can be adapted to each specific application using the KS2000 configuration set. Depending on the type, the analog Bus Terminals' registers contain temperature ranges, gain values and linearization characteristics. With the KS2000, the required parameters can be set on a PC. The Bus Terminals store settings permanently and in a fail-safe manner.

Having the controller (PLC, IPC) carry out the configuration of the Bus Terminals is a further option. The PLC or IPC uses function blocks (FB) to take care of the configuration of all the peripherals during the start-up phase. The controller can, if required, upload the non-centrally generated configuration data in order to manage and store them centrally. This means that it is not necessary to carry out the setting procedure again if a Bus Terminal is exchanged. The controller carries out the desired setting automatically after switching on.