PCI Interface+

Manual

Gesytec GmbH
Pascalstr. 6
52076 Aachen, Germany

Tel. + (49) 24 08 / 9 44-0

Fax + (49) 24 08 / 94 4-100
email: [email protected]
http://www.gesytec.com

Doc. ID: LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc,

Version v1.3, 2.8.2010
 Easylon PCI Interface+ User Manual

This manual …
… provides you with all the information which you will require to use the Easy-
lon® PCI Interface+ card.

However, this manual will neither explain aspects of Echelon's® LONWORKS®

technology, nor details of the EIA/ANSI 709.1 standard on which this product is
based, nor Echelon's Microprocessor Interface Program (MIP). Details concern-
ing the Easylon VNI Interface PCI network driver, which has been designed in
accordance with the driver specifications of the Echelon Corporation are not part
of this documentation. For further information on the LONWORKS technology
please refer to the extensive documentation provided by Echelon. Especially
Echelon's "LONWORKS Host Application Programmer's Guide" will be required
if applications are to be developed using Gesytec's Easylon Interfaces as a net-
work interface.

After a general presentation of the Easylon PCI Interface+ card in Chapter 1,

Chapter 2 describes the necessary steps to install the card.

Chapter 3 contains a general technical description.

Chapter 4, “Programming Instructions”, contains the information which will be

of importance, should you wish to develop your own network driver software for
the Easylon Interface+.

This documentation is subject to changes without notice. Gesytec assumes no responsibility or

liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document.
LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

Gesytec shall have no liability or responsibility to the original purchaser or any other person or
entity with respect to any claim, loss, liability, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly
or indirectly by any Gesytec product or the accompanying documentation.

Easylon is registered trademark of Gesytec GmbH.

Echelon, LON, LONWORKS, and NEURON are registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation. Windows is a
registered trademark of Microsoft. Other names may be trademarks of their respective companies.

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Contents

Contents

1 Product Information ..........................................................................................................4

1.1 Variants ..................................................................................................................5
1.2 Scope of Delivery ..................................................................................................5
1.3 Overview ................................................................................................................5
1.3.1 VNI (Virtual Network Interface) ...........................................................................6
1.3.2 MIP ........................................................................................................................6

2 Installation ..........................................................................................................................7
2.1 Insertion of the Card ..............................................................................................7
2.2 Driver Installation ..................................................................................................7
2.2.1 Driver for Windows Operating System (WDM Drivers) ......................................8
2.2.1.1 Installation using the Windows Assistant ..............................................................8
2.2.1.2 Manual Installation and Update .............................................................................8
2.2.1.3 Driver Instances .....................................................................................................8
2.2.1.4 Parameter Setting ...................................................................................................9
2.2.1.5 De installation ......................................................................................................12
2.2.2 EasyCheck – Test Utility for Windows Drivers ..................................................12
2.2.3 Windows and 16 Bit Applications .......................................................................12

3 Technical Description ......................................................................................................14

3.1 Network Interface ................................................................................................14
3.2 Bus Interface ........................................................................................................14
3.3 Connector Pin Assignment ..................................................................................14
3.4 Status LED ...........................................................................................................15
3.5 Technical Specification ........................................................................................16
3.6 Electromagnetic Compatibility ............................................................................16

4 Programming Instructions ..............................................................................................17

4.1 LONWORKS Network Node ..................................................................................17

5 List of Figures ...................................................................................................................18

LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

6 List of Tables ....................................................................................................................18

7 Index ..................................................................................................................................19

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Product Information

1 Product Information
This manual describes the Easylon Interface Card:
Easylon PCI Interface+,
Card for 32-Bit PCI Bus Slots.

(1) Service button

(2) Status LED
(3) Screw-plug terminal (TPT and
FTT 1 variants only)
(4) 9 pin D-type connector

Figure 1-1 Easylon PCI Interface+

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1 TPT = transformer coupled twisted pair,

FTT = free topology transceiver

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Product Information

1.1 Variants

The following variants of the Easylon PCI Interface+ are currently available and
are described in this documentation. Each variant is identifiable by a type code
sticker on the rear of the card.

Type Code Order Code Network Interface Type

LVP.CAA P.V10202 TP/XF-1250
LVP.DAA P.V10203 RS-485
LVP.AAA P.V10204 FTT
Table 1-1 Variants, order-codes and type identifiers

1.2 Scope of Delivery

• PC plug-in card
• Mounting instruction
• Installation and documentation disk (CD-ROM) with
– network drivers for 32 bit and 64 bit versions of
Windows XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2.
– Easylon RNI Software for remote LONWORKS access
– EasyCheck utility for Easylon Interfaces
– WLDV32.DLL
– This documentation

1.3 Overview

The Easylon PCI Interface+ is a network interface link between a PCI bus com-
puter and a control network following the EIA709.1 standard or the LONWORKS
specifications. Variants are available for connection via transformer coupled
twisted pair (TP/XF), free topology (FTT) transceivers and for EIA-485 serial
connection.

As an Easylon Interface+ the network interface card realizes the parallel access
of several applications to the network. Thus, the card can be used with the Easy-
lon Analyzer, allowing protocol analysis while other applications are continued.
LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

The Easylon PCI Interface+ is provided with a service button and LED. In the
TP/XF and FTT variants, the card is equipped with two connectors, either of
which can be used:
– 9 pin D-type connector

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Product Information

– 2 pin screw-plug terminal

1.3.1 VNI (Virtual Network Interface)

Easylon Interfaces+ are so called Virtual Network Interfaces (VNI). With VNI
Echelon defined a transparent mode of operation for LonWorks interfaces. In this
mode LonTalk packet are not pre processed on the interface device, but the PC
realized the complete network access. Thus the applications running on the PC
receive an send the messages. VNI interfaces overcome several limitations of the
conventional interfaces using MIP or NSI firmware. For instance they offer an
increased performance. Easylon VNI interfaces are compatible with the Echelon
VNI interfaces and can be used with LNS based software such as LonMaker for
Windows without problems.

1.3.2 MIP

The Neuron Chip used on the conventional network interface requires a firmware
to realize the interface functionality. The de facto standard was the MIP firm-
ware. Many applications still use the functionality of this firmware, which realiz-
es layers 3–5 of the LonTalk protocol, namely network, transport and session.
Using the drivers of the Easylon VNI Interfaces up to 8 logical MIP interfaces
can be used with one interface card, i.e. an Easylon Interface+ replaces 8 stan-
dard MIP interface cards.
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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

2 Installation
Installation of the Easylon PCI Interface+ is carried out in two steps:
1. Insertion of the card into the PC
2. Installation of the network driver

The external interface files (.xif) for the different card variants can be found on
the accompanying CD-ROM. Which ".xif"-file belongs to which variant can be
found in Table 4.1.

2.1 Insertion of the Card

When inserting the Easylon PCI Interface+ card in your computer, please be sure
to observe all the computer manufacturer's instructions regarding the insertion of
additional interface cards.

The Easylon PCI Interface+ card is to be inserted into a vacant 32-Bit PCI slot
while the computer is switched off.

The address and the interrupt are automatically assigned by the computer’s PCI
BIOS.

Please refer to section 3.3 for information regarding the connector pin assign-
ments for connection to the LONWORKS network.

2.2 Driver Installation

Drivers for different operating systems are available for the Easylon PCI Inter-
face. Currently these are Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7 and the Windows
Server OS 2003, 2008 und 2008 R2. The drivers support both, the 32 and the 64
bit version of these operating systems. Latest driver versions you can download-
via the Easylon Support pages of our web site: www.gesytec.com
Installtion is describe in the following sections:
LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

Windows operating systems chapter 2.2.1

16-Bit driver under 32-bit Windows chapter 2.2.3

This section also describes in short the diagnosis utility „EasyCheck“ which can
be installed separately from CD.

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

The “Driver and Documentation” CD will lead you to the installation of drivers
for different operating systems (OS). However, all setups can as well be started
manually for each OS and the respective interface card directly from the CD.

2.2.1 Driver for Windows Operating System (WDM Drivers)

This section describes installation and setup of the Easylon Interface card drivers
for the Windows operating system from Windows XP onwards.

The setup program is using the same WDM driver (Windows Driver Model) for
all operating systems.

Note: For installation you can either use the Windows assistant or the program -
FastUpd.exe for manual installation. The latter is much more directly and espe-
cially helpful if you have to install several instances of the driver.

Finally de-installation of the driver is explained

2.2.1.1 Installation using the Windows Assistant

After the Easylon Interface has been mounted Windows will recognize the new
device and start the hardware assistant.

If Windows should not find the driver on the “Drivers and Documentation” CD
or the driver should be elsewhere, please select the appropriate drive and select
the setup file „LvpWdm.inf“ and the driver „Gesytec LVP EIA-709 WDM Driv-
er PCI“ from the LVP directory.

2.2.1.2 Manual Installation and Update

The easiest way to install the driver is to ignore the hardware assistant and run

FastUpd.exe or FastUpd64.exe 2

from the “Lvp” folder of the CD-ROM.

The same program you will use to update an existing driver.

2.2.1.3 Driver Instances

The driver for the Easylon VNI Interfaces consists of a basic part for the inter-
face hardware “LVPx-y” 3 and of up to eight logical VNI drivers „LVPx-y-Vniz“
and up to eight logical MIP drivers„LVPx-y-Mipz“. These driver instances can
LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

be used like independent network interfaces.

2 For 64-bit systems

3 x-y are the PCI Bus number und slot number

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

For each logical driver instance an individual node-id (unique identification cor-
responding to the Neuron-ID) is used. VNI and MIP drivers with identical last
digit z will be assigned the same node-id. There is a maximum of 8 node-ids
available for each interface device.

2.2.1.4 Parameter Setting

Settings for the Easylon Interfaces can be parameterized in the Device Manager.
This is especially required if several diver instances are used. Select the respec-
tive interface board under LON Adapters and modify the settings.

The „Advanced“ TAB allows setting of individual properties.

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

Parameters for interface device.

Debug Flag

This field contains a DWORD in hexadecimal notation of different flags for de-
bug purposes. Usually it is set to 0 (= not existing). By setting the single bits cer-
tain debug features can be turned on. Currently bits 1 and 3 are supported:

Bit 1: Telegrams at the interface between PC and interface hardware are

displayed in the debug output.

Bit 3: CREATE and CLOSE of the driver are displayed in the debug
output.

NOTE: The Debug Output can be displayed using, for example, the program Debug-
View, available at www.sysinternals.com.

Number of Mip-Interfaces

The number of virtual Mip-Interfaces can be set here (0 – 8, default = 2).

LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

Number of VNI-Interfaces

The number of virtual VNI-Interfaces can be set here (0 – 8, default = 1).

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

ATTENTION There are 8 node-IDs available for each interface device. These have to be as-
signed appropriately to the applications using the device either as VNI or as a
MIP interface. If, for example, a VNI application is using the instance LVPx-y-
Vni0 with its corresponding node-id, a MIP application must not use the instance
LVPx-y-Mip0.
VNI application (e.g. LNS) usually generate a node-id of their own, which will
then be additional to the 8 standard node-id provided by the interface device.

Permitted Power Saving

Usually the Easylon Interfaces allow the standby mode as well as the hibernate
mode with applications running. However, in certain operating conditions prob-
lems may arise if the PC, with a LON application running, automatically changes
to hibernate or standby mode. This can be turned off by selecting “None”.

Parameters for logical instance

Adapter Name
LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

An arbitrary name can be chosen freely (e.g. building 7).

NOTE This name must not be used by another instance. If the name is already in
use, the device will not start (code 10).

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

Debug Flag

This field contains a DWORD in hexadecimal notation of different flags for de-
bug purposes. Usually it is set to 0 (= not existing). By setting the single bits cer-
tain debug features can be turned on. Currently bits 0, 1 and 3 are supported:

Bit 0: LON telegrams at the interface from and to the application are
displayed in the debug output.

Bit 1: Telegrams at the interface between PC and interface hardware are

displayed in the debug output.

Bit 3: CREATE and CLOSE) of the driver are displayed in the debug
output.

2.2.1.5 De installation

WDM drivers are de installed using the “Device Manager”. Among “LON Adap-
ters” select the “Gesytec LVPx-yy” driver and click “de-install”.

2.2.2 EasyCheck – Test Utility for Windows Drivers

In addition to the drivers, the test utility “EasyCheck” can be installed in the re-
spective program directory (default: : \Easylon\Lpx ). The program checks inter-
face and software environment and displays information, from which can be
concluded on the reasons for problems in connection with the interface.

EasyCheck runs an analysis of the system’s software. It will open the selected in-
terface, check the driver version and display it. By sending a “query status”
command the communication with the hardware is tested. Using the “read mem-
ory” command the utility will show if the device is running MIP or NSI firm-
ware. Properly installed Easylon Interfaces will send a corresponding answer.

2.2.3 Windows and 16 Bit Applications

The Windows driver for the 32 bit Windows versions also provides a 16 bit inter-
face. (Unfortunately Microsoft does not support this in the 64 bit versions.) To
use it, the following entry has to be made in the file „config.nt“, usually found in
the windows\system32 directory:

Device=%SystemRoot%\system32\ lpxdos.exe –Llvpwdm0-14-Mip0

LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

The 32 bit LON device used is specified by the optional –L or /L parameter:

/Lname

name =

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

lvxwdm5-0-Mip0 for device LVX wth PCIe-bus number 5, PCI device

number 0 and instance 0
lvuwdm1-2-Mip0 for device LVU at USB host controller 1 and with
port number 2 at USB root hub
lvpwdm0-14-Mip0 for device LVP with PCI-Bus number 0, PCI device
number 14 and Instance 0
lpcwdm340 für Device LPC mit I/Oport Adresse 340
lppwdm0-14 für Device LPP mit PCI-Bus-Nummer 0 und PCI
Device-Nummer 14
lonusb1-2 für Device LONUSB an USB Hostcontroller 1 und
mit der Portnummer 2 am USB-Root-Hub.
lpcdrv für Device EasyLPC mit der Nummer 1
lpp1 für Device EasyLPP mit der Nummer 1

Note: Two subsequent “l” characters have to be entered, one indicating the parameter -
L, the second as first character of the name: –Llxxxx

The 16 bit LON device used is specified by the following optional parameter:

/Dn
with n = 1...9 for LON1 to LON9

Without this parameter, the interface will be assigned the first unused name start-
ing with “LON1”.
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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

3 Technical Description

3.1 Network Interface

Easylon Interface+ cards are using an FPGA for accessing the control network.
The programming is loaded at start up. 512 kbytes RAM are available to the
FPGA as network buffer for transmit and receive. For use in protocol analysis
each packet received is transmitted to the application with timestamp of 1 ms ac-
curacy. The FPGA is connected to the computer bus.

Eight node-ids are available on the interface for identification within the control
network (cf. “Driver Instances”). The interface status is signaled by a status
LED. The Service push button is read by the driver software.

3.2 Bus Interface

The PCI Bus interface has been developed as 32-Bit I/O interface according to
the “PCI Local Bus Specification, Version 2.2”. It corresponds to the PCIx (not
to the PCIexpress) standard.

The Easylon PCI Interface+ card will be assigned the I/O addresses by the PCI
BIOS. The necessary addresses consist of one address for data transfer between
the PC and the network interface card, one address for status queries and control
of the NEURON Chip, and one address for the watcher.

3.3 Connector Pin Assignment

The Easylon PCI Interface+ provides a 9-pin D-type connector (Figure 1-1 ’)
for network connection. In the TPT/XF and FTT variants, the card is additionally
equipped with a 2 pin screw-plug terminal (Figure 1-1 }), which can be used al-
ternatively.
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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

Connector type Pin Signal Remark

9-pin D-type 1 data Data
2 data Data
3 — Reserved
4 — Reserved
5 — Reserved
6 — Reserved
7 — Reserved
8 — Reserved
9 — Reserved
2-pin screw-plug 1 data Data
Terminal 2 data Data
Table 3-1 Connector pin assignment for TPT/XF and FTT network
connection

Connector type Pin Signal Remark

9 pin D-type 1 — Reserved
2 — Reserved
3 DA- Data
4 SA- RTS –
5 — Reserved
6 +5 V U+ supply voltage,
electrically isolated
7 0V U– supply voltage,
electrically isolated
8 DA+ Data
9 SA+ RTS +
Table 3-2 Connector pin assignment for EIA-485 network connection

3.4 Status LED

The status LED (Figure 1-1 (2)) signals the network traffic.
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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Technical Description

3.5 Technical Specification

Bus Interface 32 bit Data (I/O), according to „PCI Local Bus
Specification, Version 2.2“
supporting 3.3 V and 5 V systems
Network Interface FPGA
memory 512 KByte SRAM
RAM 9 KByte

Order Network Transmis- Network Connector Protection

Code* Interface sion Rate
P.V10202 TP/XF- 1.25 Mbps 9-pin D-Type + Sparc-gaps
1250 2 pin screw-plug
terminal
P.V10203 EIA-485, 39 kbps 9-Pin D-Type Zener Diode
electr. isol.
P.V10204 FTT-10A 78 kbps 9-pin D-Type + Sparc-gaps
2 pin screw-plug
terminal
* cf. Table 1.1 for variant identifiers on the card.
Voltage Supply 5 V, from PC
Power consumption typically 1.5 W
Temperature
operation 0 °C – 50 °C
storage -20 °C – +60 °C
EMC
Immunity EN 61 000-6-2, (industrial)
Emission EN 55 022 A/B, (home and industrial)
Humidity according to DIN 40040, class F
Dimensions 127 mm x 107 mm, for 32-Bit PCI Slot

3.6 Electromagnetic Compatibility

The Easylon PCI Interface+ is a CE certified product and meets the intent of Di-
rective 2004/108 EC for Electromagnetic Compatibility. Compliance was dem-
onstrated to the following standards:
LVP/UserDoc/LVP_Manual-E-v1.3.doc

Immunity EN 61 000-6-2, (industrial)

Emission EN 55 022 A/B, (home and industrial)

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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Programming Instructions

4 Programming Instructions

4.1 LONWORKS Network Node

Being an EIA-709.1 compatible interface device the Easylon PCI Interface+ card
can be used as a network node in a LONWORKS network. The appropriate exter-
nal interface files (.xif) are on the installation CD-ROM. Which .xif-file is de-
scribing which interface card variant is shown in the following table:

Network Interface Transmission XIF File

Rate
TP/XF 78 kbps lolp072f.xif
TP/XF 1.25 Mbps lolp073f.xif
EIA-485, electr. isol. 39 kbps lolp074f.xif
FTT 78 kbps lolp075f.xif
Table 4-1 Card variants and .xif files
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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual User Manual

5 List of Figures
Figure 1-1 Easylon PCI Interface+ .......................................................................................... 4

6 List of Tables
Table 1-1 Variants, order-codes and type identifiers ............................................................. 5
Table 3-1 Connector pin assignment for TPT/XF and FTT network connection ................ 15
Table 3-2 Connector pin assignment for EIA-485 network connection ............................. 15
Table 4-1 Card variants and .xif files ................................................................................... 17
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 Easylon PCI Interface+ Manual Index

7 Index
.xif 7 network interface 14
16 bit applications 12 Number of Mip-Interfaces 10
Adapter Name 11 Number of VNI-Interfaces 10
connector pin assignment PCI-Bus interface 14
EIA-485 15 permitted power saving 11
TPT/XF, FTT 15 power consumption 16
Debug Flag 10, 12 programming 17
driver 7 scope of delivery 5
driver instances 8 screw-plug terminal 15
D-type connector 4 service button 4
EasyCheck 12 status LED 4, 15
humidity 16 temperature 16
installation 7 variants 5
memory 16
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