Overview

The Communication Module (CM) serves as a one-to-one interface for the Trident v2 system's Processing Units (MPs). It enables communication with various systems and devices, including:

• External Host Computers
• Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
• Open Networks
• Network Printers
• Other Trident v2 Systems
• Tricon Version 9–10 Systems

Redundant Communication

• Two CMs can be utilized to provide:
  • Redundant communication connections
  • Additional independent communication ports

A single Trident controller can support up to two CMs on one CM Baseplate. Each CM operates independently and offers the following communication interfaces:

• Three RS-232 or RS-485 Serial Ports
• Two Ethernet Ports

Specifications

Communication Capabilities

Each CM provides a range of communication capabilities, which include:

• Serial Ports
• Network Ports
• Multiple Protocol Support

Serial Ports

• Each CM features three optically isolated RS-232 or RS-485 serial ports.
• These ports can be user-configured for:
  • Modbus Point-to-Point
  • Modbus Multi-Point (Network) Connections
• Transmission rates of up to 115 kilobits per second can be selected for each port.

Network Ports

Each CM includes two network ports configured as follows:

• One 10-Megabit Ethernet Port with the following connectors:
  • 10BaseT
  • Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) for a 10-megabit media adapter unit (MAU)
• One 100-Megabit Ethernet Port with the following connectors:
  • 100BaseTX
  • Media Independent Interface (MII) for a 100-megabit MAU

Note: Media adapter units may be used in place of the 10/100 BaseT RJ-45 twisted-pair connections to convert the CM network ports to other Ethernet media types or to extend network distances.