Interbus Overview & Application Summary

Interbus: The High Speed, Maximum Diagnostics Fieldbus

Origin: Phoenix Contact, 1984

High Speed Shift Register topology

Maximum Number of Nodes: 256

Connectors: 9 Pin D-Shell and 23mm circular DIN; Cabling options allow for twisted pair, fiber optic, slipring, infrared or SMG connections

Distance: 400M Per Segment, 12.8 KM Total

Baudrate: 500 Kbits/sec

Message size: 512 bytes of data per node, unlimited block transfers

Messaging formats: I/O scanning and PCP channel for data transfer

Supporting Trade Organization: The Interbus Club, www.interbusclub.com

Typical Applications: Commonly found in assembly, welding and material handling machines. Single-cable wiring of multi-input sensor blocks, pneumatic valves, barcode readers, drives and operator interfaces. Also can be used with SensorLoop and AS-I sub-networks.

Advantages: Auto-addressing capability makes startups very simple; Extensive diagnostic capability, widespread acceptance (especially in Europe), low overhead, fast response time and efficient use of bandwidth, power (for input devices) available on the network.

Disadvantages: One failed connection disables entire network; limited ability to transfer large amounts of data.

A Different Twist on Handling Data

Interbus was one of the very first Fieldbuses to achieve widespread popularity. It continues to be popular because of its versatility, speed, diagnostic and auto-addressing capabilities. Physically it has the appearance of being a typical line-and-drop based network, but in reality it is a serial ring shift register. Each slave node has two connectors, one which receives data, and one which passes data on to the next slave.

Address information is not contained in the protocol; data is pushed through the network in a circular fashion and the master is able to determine which node is being read or written to by its position in the circle, so to speak. Therefore the protocol has minimal overhead, and for typical installations which might incorporate a few dozen nodes and perhaps a dozen I/O per node, few buses are faster than Interbus.

Self-Configuring

Because of the unusual network topology, Interbus has two other advantages. First, a master can configure itself because of the ring topology. Synergetic’s Master can configure itself without intervention from the user. Interbus has the potential to be ‘idiot proof’ (at least as much as any network can be). Second, precise information regarding network faults and where they have occurred can drastically simplify troubleshooting.

Data Types

Interbus handles both Analog and Digital I/O with ease, and the PCP channel is a mechanism by which block transfers of data can be packed within the Interbus protocol without interfering with the transmission of normal I/O data.

What Synergetic Brings to the Table:

PC Interface Cardes: We have PC/ISA, PC104, PCI, PCMCIA, CompactPCI* and VME* Masters and Slaves for Interbus. They use the same configuration tools, hardware and software interface as all of our other Fieldbus interfaces (DeviceNet, Profibus, Interbus, etc…).

*Call for availability

Embedded Master and Slave Modules: Our COMMUNICATOR modules are credit-card sized boards that you can design into your controller, PLC, operator interface, drive, barcode reader, signal processor or other device that you wish to convert to Fieldbus. The same dual port memory, software drivers and configuration tool as our PC card is used regardless of the bus.

COMMMUNICATOR modules require a custom user hardware design with the COM module mounted as a daughter board and the Fieldbus connector on your hardware board. All other Fieldbus components are on the COM module. After designed, all other COM modules can be plugged into the same socket.

Turn-Key Slave Modules: The ANYBUS-S Interbus module allows you to design instant ControlNet, Profibus, Interbus, and other Fieldbus connectivity into your product in a matter of weeks. Now you don’t have to be a Fieldbus expert to manufacture a bus-compatible product!

A custom hardware design is required, and all Fieldbus components, including connectors, are on the Anybus board. After designed in, all Anybus cards in the same family can be interchanged as different Fieldbuses require.
 

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