Application Notes
Configuring MDrive I/O: MCode Basics
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Description
Setting up the hardware interface for the MDrive I/O only represents half of the battle. Before it can function it must be configured in software using the “S” command.
Applicable
- MDrive Linear Actuator
- MDrive Plus
- MForce
Requirements
- MDrive r MForce Motion Control or Ethernet product
- DC power supply
- Optional: +5 to +34 VDC Auxiliary supply
- +5 to +24 VDC I/O supply (if using sourcing outputs).
- Input and/or output devices
- Cabling: 22 AWG shielded twisted pairs for I/O, Shielded twisted pair for power, AWG determined by length and current
Details
S command (I/O setup)
The I/O setup command establishes how the I/O point will function in the system, note that each I/O point MUST be setup individually if changed from the factory default:
- Will it be an input or an output?
- Will it be general purpose, or set to a dedicated function?
- Will it be a sinking or sourcing type?
- Will it be ACTIVE when logic HIGH or LOW?
Setup parameters
The I/O setup command has three parameters that define its operational characteristics, these are:
- Function: Assigns the point to an input or output function.
- The active state defines the point as being ACTIVE when HIGH or LOW.
- Sink/Source: Sets the point as a sinking or sourcing type. NOTE: sourcing outputs only available on Plus2 models.
I/O Functions
The following table lists the function codes relevant to the first parameter: Input or Output functions.
| Input Functions | Output Functions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Param # | Function | Param # | Function |
| 0 | General purpose | 16 | General purpose |
| 1 | Homing | 17 | Moving |
| 2 | Positive limit | 18 | Fault/Error |
| 3 | Negative limit | 19 | Stall |
| 4 | G0 | 20 | Velocity changing |
| 5 | Soft stop | ||
| 6 | Pause running program | ||
| 7 | Jog positive | ||
| 8 | Jog negative | ||
| 11 | Reset |
Active state
The Active State parameter defines the level at which the I/O point will be active and may be set to:
0 – I/O is Active when logic LOW (0 volts, ground)
1 – I/O is Active when logic HIGH (+5 to +24 VDC)
With outputs, the Active setting becomes of particular importance. The impact of the Active state setting will impact functionality based upon the hardware configuration of the output point and whether it will be sinking or sourcing. The following table details the output circuit conditions for each state and sink/source configuration.
| Sink/Source | Active State | Output State | Circuit Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinking | Active HIGH | Output = 1 | Sink OFF, High impedance |
| Output = 0 | Sink ON | ||
| Active LOW | Output = 1 | Sink ON | |
| Output = 0 | Sink OFF, High impedance | ||
| Sourcing (Plus2 Only) | Active HIGH | Output = 1 | Source ON |
| Output = 0 | Source OFF, High impedance | ||
| Active LOW | Output = 1 | Source OFF, High impedance | |
| Output = 0 | Source ON |
Sink/Source
The Sink/Source parameter identifies the I/O point as sinking or sourcing. If the hardware is connected using any of the configurations shown in the Connecting Power and I/O tutorial, this should be set to match the hardware connection.
0 – Sinking – Point will change states when pulled to ground.
1 – Sourcing – Point will change states when sourced (+5 to +24 VDC).
General I/O usage commands
An I/O instruction results in the change of parameters or the state of an input or output. The syntax for these commands are as follows: type the command then an equal sign, then the data. Example: O2=0 will set output 2 to 0.
This tutorial only covers the General purpose I/O points with the following set of commands to be exampled in the programming part of this tutorial. The Clock I/O and Capture/Trip I/O are only slightly different in their configuration. Please refer to the MCode manual for this instructions.
| Mnemonic | Function | Usage example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual I/O point control commands | |||
| I<io point> | Read an individual input state as 1 or 0 | PR I4 | Read the state of input 4 |
| CL k3,I4=1 | Call subroutine k3 when I/O 4 is ACTIVE (1) | ||
| O<io point> | Set the logic state of an individual output | O3=1 | Set output 3 HIGH (1) |
| Binary coded decimal (BCD) commands | |||
| OL=<0-15> | Set the logic state of the lower output bank | OL=15 | Set outputs 1 – 4 HIGH (All MDrives) See Details |
| OH=<0-15> | Set the logic state of the upper output bank | OH=15 | Set outputs 9 – 12 HIGH (Plus2 MDrives) See Details |
| OT=<0-255> | Set the logic state of both output banks | OH=255 | Set outputs 1 – 4 and 9 – 12 HIGH (if standard I/O this will only set the available points, 1 – 4) See Details |
| IL | Read lower input bank as BCD | PR IL | Read inputs 1 – 4 as group (response will be 0 – 15 based on I1 being LSb and I4 being MSb) See Details |
| IH | Read upper input bank as BCD | PR IH | Read inputs 9 – 12 as group (response will be 0 – 15 based on I9 being LSb and I12 being MSb – Plus2MDrives only) See Details |
| IN | Read both input banks as BCD | PR IN | Read inputs1 – 4 and 9 – 12 as group (response will be 0 – 255 based on I1 being LSb and I12 being MSb) See Details |
| Input filtering commands | |||
| D<input>=<0-255> | Set the input filtering to time in milliseconds | D1=150 | Set the filter for input 1 to 150 milliseconds. Input must be stable for 150 msec before a change will be detected. |
| Input trip | |||
| TI=<input>, <subroutine> | Sets the operation of an input trip | TI=2, K3 | Execute subroutine labeled K3 when input 2 is active. See Details |
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