Picoscope solution for testing ControlNet

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Lord_Lucan
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Picoscope solution for testing ControlNet

Post by Lord_Lucan »

We currently operate a legacy control system that uses ControlNet (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ControlNet) for intra site (coaxial RG6) and inter site (ControlNet over fibre optics via media converters) for communications. This system has operated faultlessly for many years. Allen Bradley (the defacto supplier of ControlNet equipment) have slowly placed this system into obsolescence, including the relevant test tools (https://literature.rockwellautomation.c ... _-en-p.pdf). Fluke used to supply a bus checker function in the original Fluke 125 scopemeter. However the newer version does not contain this. Texas instruments data sheet (https://www.ti.com/lit/an/slla265a/slla ... e.com%252F) provides a method of testing their SN65HVD61 driver interface for ControlNet that uses the bus checker as a trigger source. Fluke do not use this for the 125 scopemeter (https://fdocuments.in/document/manual-s ... -is-a.html) and neither do they impedance match the scopemeter to the bus. We are therefore looking for an instrument that will enable us to determine whether we have a problems with jitter/noise etc on the copper segments of this network...The error is a fleeting one. I note that the Picoscopes include serial decode (although I don't see one for ControlNet), setting of masks for out of tolerance testing. I'm therefore wondering if we can also measure jitter with eye diagrams etc (unsure of trigger method). I also note that a Python api is available for the picoscopes and therefore wonder if via this we can gain a deeper insight of our faults (uploading of traces etc etc). Pre-sales advice would therefore be appreciated to determine suitability and for budgeting if required. Many thanks! Rob

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