User manual

PAGE 20 30 JUN 2000 MAN0051-01
CH. 3
3.2 IOCM
The PC CPU utilizes a GE Fanuc IOCM-Master chip. This silicon chip acts as a bridge between the PC
CPU and the Series 90-30 backplane. This is the same type of chip that is in other CPU modules (like
the CPU331).
3.3 Software Interface
The PC CPU communicates to the Series 90-30 backplane by means of the GE Fanuc IOCM chip and a
PIF (personal interface card). Unlike an entire card, the GE Fanuc IC693PIF300 (PC interface board
model) for instance, the PC CPU has a PIF "built into" the unit. This hardware allows the PC CPU to
communicate to the Series 90-30 backplane, therefore providing communication with other available
modules. In the interests of customer convenience, Horner APG has included a Visual Basic™ Demo, a
Visual C++™ Demo, 32-Bit DLL libraries, and DOS libraries (demo included) with the PC CPU package.
Documentation on these programs and libraries is located at the back of this manual in Appendix B.
By utilizing the PIF hardware, DLL libraries, and programs such as Visual Basic™ and Visual C++™, you
will be able to use or write programs that will provide interfacing and communication to other modules
connected to the backplane (or expansion rack(s)). By using these tools, attaining important information
from modules and running practical applications will be possible.
To demonstrate how Visual C++™ can be used with the PIF on the PC CPU, a 32-Bit Diagnostic program
has been created by Horner APG. The Visual C++™ demonstration software (PIF300Demo.exe) allows
the user to view various characteristics of each module on an expansion rack. The PIF300 demo can
only detect the characteristics of certain modules, one module at a time. It cannot detect parameters and
settings for the whole chain or even for a whole rack. Characteristics tested by the demonstration
software include the rack number, slot number, PIF card number, module information, and module data.
The default PIF address for the PC CPU is 300. The following diagram (Figure 3.2) shows how the
demonstration software appears.
Figure 3.2 - PIF Demo Software Screen