WHAT IS ADAM?
Advantech www.advantech.com
manufactures distributed IO modules. The modules comes in various flavors
supporting several different IO requirements such as analog input/output,
digital input/output. The modules are accessible by a host computer using
a serial interface (RS-232) or Ethernet. For systems requiring a limited
amount of IO, ADAM moduls are an affordable alternative.
ADAM modules are accessible through ADAM ActiveXs or directly using the ADAM
devices native communication protocols.
ADAM AND SCORPION
Scorpion and ADAM mix very well due to Scorpion's Python scripting
support. Scorpion is shipped with Python classes capable of communicating with a range of ADAM modules. The Python classes are shipped
as is with full source code, empowering users to modify or extend the existing ADAM support.
RS-485 OR ETHERNET?
RS-485 modules are daisy chained using a 2 wire RS-485 cable. Long
cable lengths are supported by the standard. The modules must be
interfaced to the host using a RS-485/RS-232 convertor/modem. The presence of a COM
port on the host computer is required. A minimum configuration will have
to include an IO module, a RS-485/RS-232 convertor/modem, 24VDC supply to both units, a DTE/DCE
RS-232 cable and a RS-485 cable of a application specific length. It is
straightforward to extend the system with more modules as they are individually
addressed by the host through a module id (max 255). The protocol is a proprietary text protocol and supports a master-slave configuration where the
master (host) interrogates the modules for status and applies output as desired.
The RS-485 range of modules belong to the ADAM 4000 series.
Ethernet modules are assigned IP addresses and may be accessed through the Internet
if desired. The more common approach would be to use a private IP address (10.X.X.X or 192.X.X.X). You may
commission as many IO modules
as you have IP addresses available. For a configuration with 1 module you may connect the module to the host NIC using a crossover cable. If the
host is part of a network you will need a HUB or a SWITCH. The modules use a protocol known as MODBUS TCP. This is MODBUS over IP with a SOCKET
oriented interface. This means that we will have a reliable connection
with guaranteed data integrity. Furthermore, multiple host may access a
particular module. A minimum configuration will have to include an IO
module, a crossover Ethernet cable and a 24VDC power supply. The Ethernet range of
modules belong to the ADAM 6000 series.
SUPPORTED ADAM MODULES
| MODULE |
DESCRIPTION |
I |
O |
NOTES |
PYTHON SUPPORT |
| ADAM 4020 |
RS-232 / RS-485 modem |
|
|
|
Electrical conversion only |
| ADAM 4050 |
Digital input / output module |
8 |
8 |
RS-485 bus. Signals may have to be conditioned using
resitors, relays and optocouplers.
Requires PySerial.py and Win32ext |
Adam.py |
| ADAM 4060 |
Relay output module |
0 |
4 |
RS-485 bus. 2 FORMAT A relays and 2 FORMAT C relays.
Straightforward signal termination.
Requires PySerial.py and Win32ext |
Adam.py |
| ADAM 4021 |
Analog output module |
0 |
1 |
RS-485 bus. 1 analog output, configurable voltage range.
Requires PySerial.py and Win32ext |
Adam.py |
| ADAM 6017 |
Analog input / digital output module |
8 |
2 |
Ethernet. 2 analog outputs and 8 digital inputs.
Requires Python 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6. |
Adam6000.py |
| ADAM 6050 |
Digital input / output module |
12 |
6 |
Ethernet. 18-channel isolated digital I/O module: 12 digital isolated outputs and 6 digital isolated inputs.
Requires Python 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6. |
Adam6000.py |
| ADAM 6051 |
Digital input / output module |
12 |
2 |
Ethernet. 14-channel isolated digital I/O with 2-channel counter module: 12 digital outputs, 2 digital inputs and 2 counter inputs.
Requires Python 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6. |
Adam6000.py |
| ADAM 6060 |
Digital input / relay output module |
6 |
6 |
Ethernet. 6 relay outputs and 6 isolated digital inputs.
Requires Python 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6. |
Adam6060.py |
More information on Python Scripting.
Adam-4000 Series (4020, 4050, 4060, 4021) sample code is available here.
Adam-6060 sample code is available here.
Adam-6000 Series (6017, 6050, 6051) sample code is available here.
The Adam module requires the following modules to be installed in addition to
Scorpion:
For Adam 4000 series
- Python 2.2 or higher
- Python Windows Extensions
- PySerial
For Adam 6000 series
- Python 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6
- Python Windows Extensions
All the modules are located on the Scorpion CD.
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