3 Terms, definitions, and conventions ToC Previous Next

3.2 OPC UA for POWERLINK Information Model terms ToC Previous Next

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in the referenced OPC UA Specifications as well as the following apply.

Asynchronous POWERLINK Data

data in a POWERLINK network that is not time critical

Note 1 to entry: Within the POWERLINK cycle there is a specific period reserved for Asynchronous POWERLINK Data which is shared by all POWERLINK Devices. Each POWERLINK Device connected to the network can send asynchronous data by requesting it to the POWERLINK Managing Node. The POWERLINK Managing Node keeps a list of all asynchronous data requests and will subsequently grant the network access to one POWERLINK Device after the other.

Deterministic Communication

communication process with predictable timing behaviour (I.e. the time when a message reaches the recipient is predictable)

Isochronous POWERLINK Data

data in a POWERLINK network which is to be transmitted every cycle (or every nth cycle in case of multiplexed isochronous data)

Legacy Ethernet

ethernet as standardised in IEEE 802.3 (non-deterministic operation in non-time-critical environments)

NMT State

Network Management State of a POWERLINK Device

POWERLINK Controlled Node

POWERLINK Device without the ability to manage the SCNM mechanism

POWERLINK Device Profile

standardised or vendor specific definition of an object model

POWERLINK Managing Node

POWERLINK Device capable to manage the SCNM mechanism in a POWERLINK network

POWERLINK Device

device in a POWERLINK network

POWERLINK Object

data object, addressed by Index and Sub-Index

POWERLINK Object Dictionary

repository of all POWERLINK Objects accessible over POWERLINK communications

POWERLINK Record

record data type (as defined in the POWERLINK specification EPSG DS 301)

POWERLINK XML Device Description

XML file for the description of the objects in a POWERLINK Object Dictionary (also called XDD)

Note 1 to entry: This description contains metadata about the POWERLINK Objects and about the POWERLINK Device.

Previous Next