User`s guide

PCLTA-20 Adapter User’s Guide 1-3

priority processing. Separating the application layer of the LonTalk protocol from

the lower layers makes the PCLTA-20 adapter independent of its host application.

The host application, including its network variables, can be changed at any time

without modifying the adapter. The PCLTA-20 adapter combined with the host PC

can also be used with nodes that require more processing power, memory,

input/output capability, or network variable connections than are provided by the

Neuron

Chip alone.

Firmware for the adapter is downloaded from the host PC. This allows the adapter

to be updated as new versions of the software and firmware are released, without

modifying or physically accessing the PCLTA-20 adapter. This feature extends the

useful service life of the adapter, and minimizes the cost and time associated with

software and firmware updates. The adapter is provided with 32K bytes of off-chip

RAM for use as network and application buffers. See Chapter 4 for a complete list of

buffer configurations,

Audience

This manual is intended for developers and end users of L

ORKS

systems using

the PCLTA-20 adapter.

Content

This manual provides detailed technical specifications on the electrical and

mechanical interfaces and operating environment characteristics for the PCLTA-20

adapter.

This document has a list of references in Chapter 6. Whenever a reference document

is addressed, a superscript number corresponding to the reference has been placed in

the text, e.g.,

FTT-10A Free Topology Transceiver User's Guide

. Whenever a specific

chapter or section within a reference has been referred to, the reference is enclosed in

brackets and the chapter is addressed by number, e.g., Reference [1], Chapter 4.