Technical services available to DeviceNet users and vendors from Warwick University

Citation

(2001), "Technical services available to DeviceNet users and vendors from Warwick University", Sensor Review, Vol. 21 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2001.08721aab.010

Technical services available to DeviceNet users and vendors from Warwick University

Technical services available to DeviceNet users and vendors from Warwick University

Keywords: DeviceNet, Manufacturing, Fieldbus

Users of industrial fieldbuses can specify the DeviceNet open system confident in the availability of post-installation technical support.

A full range of troubleshooting and consultancy services for DeviceNet users and vendors in the UK is available from the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) based at the University of Warwick (see Plate 2).

The WMG hosts the DeviceNet Europe Technical Support Centre (DETSC) on behalf of the Open DeviceNet Vendors Association (ODVA), and carries out conformance testing of DeviceNet products.

Plate 2 Technical services available to DeviceNet users and vendors from Warwick University

Kiah Hion Tang of the DETSC manages the conformance testing programme, and also offers technical support to DeviceNet vendors and users.

"No other fieldbus standard enjoys the same high standards of conformance testing and technical backup", said Mr Tang. "Vendors receive help to ensure their products comply with the standard, and users have confidence that DeviceNet equipment will fully interoperate with other vendors' products."

Once a product has passed the ODVA independent test – indicated by a "DeviceNet conformance tested" logo – it is guaranteed to interoperate with all other conformance-tested equipment. The conformance test is now at version 14, but backward compatibility with products that have passed earlier versions of the test is generally assured.

DeviceNet is so confident in its conformance test that users experiencing interoperability problems with products that have passed the ODVA conformance test can obtain free guidance from the DETSC on solving these problems.

The DETSC also offers a consultancy service for DeviceNet vendors preparing products for the conformance test.

Charges for the full composite conformance test are set by the ODVA at minimum US$1,500 for the first six hours, and US$375 per every additional hour for ODVA members (US$500 for non-members).

The DETSC will carry out a full pre-test of a product, and offer guidance on how to correct any errors in preparation for the ODVA test, for just £600 a day. Provided the advice given is followed explicitly, the DETSC guarantees that the product will then pass the ODVA test.

"Without our help the first time pass rate for the ODVA test is extremely low", said Mr Tang. "This is usually because the vendor has tested the device with only one PLC and minimum set-up. In the pre-test we check that the device operates with all available host controllers at the centre and with maximum setup, just as the ODVA test does."

The DETSC also provides consultancy for product developers at £700 per day. End users seeking advice on DeviceNet installations are welcome to make a free short visit to the DETSC.

The DETSC also provides a full training programme for both vendors and users. The DeviceNet University for end users, systems integrators and OEMs was held at Warwick on 20 September and 22 November 2000.

On the days following the DeviceNet University courses (21 September and 23 November), the DETSC held DeviceNet Developer Training days for equipment vendors looking to develop DeviceNet compatible products. The DETSC will also provide unscheduled training for up to ten people for companies at £700 per day.

Both users and vendors can use the free Dr DeviceNet e-mail query facility to get answers to specific technical questions about the development or use of DeviceNet equipment. The address to send questions is odva@powerinternet.com

Answers to these questions, plus a list of frequently asked questions, can be accessed via the DeviceNet UK Web site at www.devicenet.org.uk

The site also has more details on DeviceNet support services offered by the WMG, information on the DeviceNet standard, case studies, lists of DeviceNet products and vendors and diary dates.