User Manual

10 Introduction to the LonTalk Stack
Development Tools for LonTalk Stack
To develop an application for a device that uses the LonTalk Stack, you need a
development system for the host processor. In addition, you need the LonTalk
Stack Developer’s Kit, which includes:
• LonTalk API
• LonTalk Host Stack
• LonTalk
Interface Developer utility for defining the interface for your
LonTalk Stack device and generating the application framework
• Example LonTalk Stack applications
If you are not using an FT 5000 Smart Transceiver with serial interface to your
host, you will also need a NodeBuilder FX Development Tool or Mini FX
Evaluation Kit to develop the MIP image for your network interface.
You also need a network management tool to install and test your LonTalk Stack
device. You can use the OpenLNS Commissioning Tool, or any other tool that
can install and monitor L
ONWORKS devices. See the OpenLNS Commissioning
Tool User’s Guide for more information on the OpenLNS Commissioning Tool.
You can use NodeBuilder Code Wizard that is included with the NodeBuilder FX
tool, version 3 or later, to help develop your Neuron C model file. The model file
is used to define the device’s interoperable interface.
LonTalk Stack Architecture
A LonTalk Stack device consists of the following components:
• Echelon Smart Transceiver or Neuron Chip with a Layer 2 MIP.
• A microprocessor, microcontroller, or embedded processor running the
following software:
• Host application that uses the LonTalk API.
• LonTalk API
• LonTalk host stack.
• Non-volatile data (NVD) driver.
• Operating system abstraction layer (OSAL).
• Embedded operating system.
• Serial I/O driver.
The following figure shows the basic architecture of a LonTalk Stack device.