Anybus-M - Questions & Answers

Read the most common questions about the Anybus-M Master/Scanner Interfaces

Q: What kind of development tools do I need when I want to embed Anybus-M to my device?
A: The Anybus-M module will look like a 2k or 4k RAM memory on your address/data buss on your microprocessor system. The Design guide provide all electrical and functional informational you need to know. We also supply a piece of “example code” in C describing how to interface the Anybus-M module, this is helpful when you design your own software driver to exchange data between your CPU and the Anybus-M module.

If you want to do some evaluation and text before you have you own hardware ready, take a look on the ABS/M-EVB, which is a 8051 based example application using Anybus-M

Q: How do I configure the slave devices connected to the Anybus-M Master?
A: There are several ways to configure the Anybus-M modules, these are the most common:

Profibus: Use the HMS software NetTool-PB on a laptop for the network configuration, connect a serial cable between the laptop and the RS232 port in the front of the Anybus-M Profibus Module

DeviceNet: Use the HMS software NetTool-DN on a laptop for the network configuration, connect a serial cable between the laptop and the RS232/DeviceNet adapter (included in NetTool-DN) and connect it to the DevcieNet network.

AS-Interface: Open a standard terminal program on a laptop, like Hyper Terminal. Connect a serial cable between the laptop and the RS232 port in the front of the Anybus-M ASI Module. The built in menu system will appear in the Hyper Terminal

EtherNet/IP: HMS is currently working on an own Master/Scanner Configuration Tool for EtherNet/IP. In the meantime you can setup your EtherNet/IP network configuration using Rockwell Automations RSNetworx™ configuration software.

Q: Is the Anybus-M compatible to the Anybus-S master module from HMS?
A: The hardware e.g. mechanical specifications and the main software functionality are the same. But, the master software includes Fieldbus Specific data that has to be handled by the application to create a complete master interface.

Q: For the Anybus-M module for Profibus I have a possibility to access a 4K DPRAM for larger IO data, do I have to prepare my application in any way compared with the modules with only a 2K DPRAM?
A: Yes, the Anybus-M module for Profibus has an extra address pin in the application interface. Please see the Anybus-M design guide for more information.