ODVA to publish first CompoNet spec

By Control Engineering Staff August 29, 2006

Ann Arbor, MI— ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendor Association) is set to publish the first edition of its CompoNet Specification. CompoNet uses CIP™, the Common Industrial Protocol, for its upper layers. CIP is a single, media-independent protocol that provides the interoperability and interchangeability essential to open networks and open systems. The Association’s technical review board approved the CompoNet Specification, scheduled to bereleased in the next publication cycle of the CIP Networks Library and associated network specifications.

CompoNet is a bit-level network for controlling small, high-speed machines with CIP network services to connect to the plant and the enterprise. It is intended for applications using large numbers of simple sensors and actuators by providing high-speed communications with configuration tools combined with efficient construction, simple set-up, and high availability on one network. An advanced physical layer minimizes signal degradation and transmission delays and provides flexible network architecture with a range of data rates (4, 3, and 1.5 Mbps and 93.75 kbps) and overall network lengths to 1,500 m with repeaters. Deterministic network can update large numbers of nodes at state-of the-art update rates and includes an option for power (24 V dc, 5 A) and signal in the same cable with the ability to remove and replace nodes under power.

“CompoNet will provide users with a network that is easy to configure and maintain, with comprehensive built-in error detection functions,” says Katherine Voss, executive director of ODVA.” The next step in creating the open standard for the technology will be the release of the ODVA conformance test for CompoNet devices. Vendors are expected to start offering CompoNet conformance-tested products by year-end 2006.

Adds Jeff Jurs, a member of ODVA’s technical review board: “CompoNet allows the user to send and receive bit and byte size data, efficiently and rapidly, to and from simple sensors and actuators. Combined with CIP’s distinctive advantages providing the ability to configure and collect data on the plant floor, information can be available throughout the enterprise.”

Founded in 1995, ODVA supports network technologies based on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP), which includes EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and CompoNet, along with major application extensions to CIP: CIP Safety, CIP Motion, and CIP Sync. ODVA manages the development of these open technologies and offers conformance testing to help ensure that products built to its specifications operate in multi-vendor systems.

—Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jeanine Katzel , senior editor