LonTalk communication protocol

Supported device types and versions
Communication line configuration
Communication line protocol parameters
Communication station configuration
Communication station parameters
I/O tag configuration
Literature
Changes and modifications
Document revisions

Supported device types and versions


The LonTalk communication protocol supports communication with 3150 and 3120 "neuron" chips of the LonWorks technology from the Echelon company by means of reading/writing values of network variables. The communication is performed by means of the RNI interface (SLTA, PCLATA, iLON-10, ...) and the standard Win NT system driver, which is installed after installing the "Echelon OpenLDV". This driver can be obtained from http://www.echelon.com/. Versions known to work are "Echelon OpenLDV 4.0" and "Echelon OpenLDV 5.0". Communication has been verified these interfaces:


Data exchange is performed by the SNVT set (Standard Network Variable Types) and by several user types.

Communication line configuration


Communication line parameters


Communication line configuration dialog box - tab Protocol parameters.
They influence some optional protocol parameters. The following line parameters can be set:

Tab 1

Parameter


Meaning


Unit


Default value
Full Debug
High level of the communication tracing. It shows the read values of I/O tags and other debug information.YES/NONO
Open/Close Interval
A time interval. After it passes, a re-open action over the interface will be done. 0 (zero) disables this function.min0

Communication station configuration


Communication protocol: Echelon LonTalk.
The station address (node) consists of the required address parameters (i.e. "Subnet/Node Addressing"):


Neuron ID is an optional address parameter. If it is defined, this address executes the polling of the network variables of node. Neuron ID address is in the hexadecimal form.

If it is necessary to send a network variable value with another address type than "Subnet/Node Addressing", you can configure Group or Broadcast address parameters.


Station protocol parameters


They have effect on some optional protocol parameters. The following station protocol parameters can be defined:

Table 1

Full nameMeaningUnitDefault value
Rpt_timer
Value of the parameter is written into the address array SendAddrDtl when the packets "Poll request" and "Write NV value" are sent. See the Note 1.

Parameter description from the literature 1: This field specifies the time interval between repetitions of an outgoing message when unacknowledged–repeated service is used.
-3
Retry
Value of the parameter is written into the address array SendAddrDtl when packets "Poll request" and "Write NV value" are sent. See the Note 1.

Parameter description from the literature 1: This field specifies the number of retries for acknowledged, request/response, or unacknowledged–repeated service (0–15). The maximum number of messages sent is one more than this number.
-1
Tx_timer
Value of the parameter is written into the address array SendAddrDtl when packets "Poll request" and "Write NV value" are sent. See the Note 1.

Parameter description from the literature 1: This field specifies the time interval between retries when acknowledged or request/response service is used. The transaction retry timer is restarted when each attempt is made, and also when any acknowledgement or response (except for the last one) is received. For request/response service, the requesting node should take into account the delay necessary for the application to respond when setting the transaction timer.
-3
Response Timeout
Timeout for receiving the respond on the polling demand. Total time is tx_timer * retry + Response timeout.ms500
Write ACK Timeout
Timeout for receiving the confirmation of sent packet with a new value. Total time is tx_timer * retry + WAT.ms1500
Write ACK Immediately
If its value is YES, writing new values into the network do not wait for confirmation (with Writte ACK Timeout). They are immediately acknowledged as received.YES/NOYES
Skip Reading after Failed Polling
If the value is YES, the reading of I/O tag values is stopped by the polling on the given station (node). It helps to speed up the value reading form the network variables when some nodes do not communicate (they are switch off). The communication is not delayed because of waiting on the responses of polling from non-functional node. The polling always starts properly but after the first error in reading by polling the reading of remaining network variable interrupted and next node is read.YES/NONO

Note 1: The parameters rpt_timer, retry and tx_timer can get values ranging from 0 to 15. Conversion table for times in milliseconds is stated in the document LonWorks communication line configuration and in the literature nr.1.

I/O tag configuration


I/O tag address consist of:

Value type struct

This type enables to split data of any length to the bytes or bits. You must set an index 'byte' (numbered from 1) and eventually the bit number (0 up to 7) for I/O tags of Di type. the separated bytes are interpreted as non-signed numbers from 0 up to 255.

Note: Using the nodeutil utility it is possible to:

Literature


  1. NEURON Chip Distributed Communications and Control Processors MC143150, MC143120. Motorola Inc. 1994, REV 3.
  2. LonWorks Host Application Programmer’s Guide, Rev. 2, Echelon corp. 078-0016-01B
  3. LonWorks PC LonTalk Adapter User’s Guide, Rev. 1.0, Echelon corp. 078-0122-01A
  4. OpenLDV Programmer’s Guide, Echelon corp. 078-0275-01D.

Changes and modifications


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Document revisions



Communication protocols