FL-net
(OPCN-2) Open Controller Level Network
FL-net (OPCN-2) is
the result of a standardization initiative of
JEMA (Japan Electrical Manufacturers Asscociation)
and several other important Japanese
standardization authorities. FL-net is the Controller
level network which is complemented by
the device-level network OPCN-1. FL-net is based
on Industrial Ethernet, designed
to provide intercommunication between controllers
such as PLC, CNC or robot controller.from different
manufacturers based on the public standard. Its
basic specification responds to the requirements
of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association
(JAMA) for building a highly reliable production
system. FL-net devices are certified for
interoperability and conformance to the FL-net
standards by an independent Japanese certification
committee
The FL-net is based on standard Ethernet technology.
The largest difference between FL-net and standard
Ethernet lies in its capability
to guarantee the transmission times for data transfers,
in other words, its capability
for real-time data transmission. FL-net uses
the FA link protocol which provides good Real-Time
capabilities on top of UDP/IP. An FL-net (OPCN-2)
unit is implemented in an FA controller such as
a programmable controller (PLC), a numerical control
unit (CNC), etc. and transmits and receives data
cyclically among controllers only by assigning
a station number (a node number) and common memory
(also called link register) for linking in the
same manner as the "CPU link
unit" of a normal PLC.
The employment of the common memory system, in
which the equipment on the FL-net shares their output, realizes a high
speed synchronization between the equipment on a transfer line. Moreover,
individual equipment can be added to or deleted from the network freely,
making the system highly flexible in its configuration as well as realizing
high system reliability. The network guarantees a good response to a
large data message, making the most of the high speed feature of the
Ethernet.
FL-net is used in a
variety of systems including machining lines
in the automotive industry. For the CNC's,
and for robots controllers FL-net can be used ito build FA systems with
great ease by combining them with a variety of
peripheral equipment.
See
Anybus products supporting the FL-net network
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