Red Lion Controls, Inc.

July 24, 2007
CANopen Network Support Enhances Connectivity

Red Lion Controls, Inc. announces CANopen network support for the Data Station Plus and Modular Controller product series. Both series already offer advanced communication and data management solutions. With the release of the XCCN CANopen option card, users can quickly add CANopen SDO Master or Slave connectivity to any of the Data Station Plus or Enhanced Modular Controller Master units. The card is simply added to the expansion slot during installation and configured using Red Lion’s free robust Crimson 2 software.

Both the Data Station Plus and Modular Controller series feature a powerful multi-protocol converter combined with three serial ports and an Ethernet port as standard. The XCCN option card enables any connected devices to communicate with CANopen products to realize complete system integration and data transfer. In addition, the XCCN option card is isolated, protecting user equipment from potentially harmful ground loops.

“Red Lion Modular Controller Masters and Data Station Plus units contain a proprietary expansion port, allowing these products to evolve concurrently with the latest advances in communications without sacrificing performance,” said Jesse Benefiel, Red Lion product manager. “The XCCN CANopen option card easily plugs into these units and provides the ability to communicate to any high speed CANopen device.” Benefiel adds, “The XCCN option card also has a termination resistor built-in, which is selectable via a jumper setting.”

The Enhanced Modular Controller Masters and Data Station Plus models provide extended functionalities such as a Web server to remotely access or control your process, web enabling any CANopen devices connected to the XCCN option card. In addition, all the data can be logged in “IT-ready” format, for system traceability or preventive maintenance applications, using the embedded data logger.