MCU-PLUS-SDK-AM243X: ProfiNet Demo - Data Handling and Buffers Questions

Robin Bross

Dear Community,

we are currently evaluating the latest release of the MCU-PLUS-SDK-AM243X with focus on the ProfiNet demo for the launchpad.
We managed to run the demo on the launchpad and add the device to ProfINet network with a Siemens S7 as ProfiNet Master.

As we have several questions, is there further documentation for the API and the Industrial Ethernet stacks available?

The collection of our questions:

Cyclic Data:
- How is the cyclic data mapped from the application side via the stack API to the PLC side (represented by the GSD file)?
- How to check for data written by the PLC to the device (Output Data)? Is there a manual how to do this?
- How are the three buffers required by the input and output buffer function handled and what are the restrictions here (PN_API_DEV_setOutputDataBuffer, PN_API_DEV_setInputDataBuffer)?
  In the demo the same buffer is provided for three buffer parameters required by the functions.

Acyclic Data
- Is there a demo how to handle acyclic data and how the data is structured for this?

Evaluation License
- We faced the issue, that the demo stops to work after some time (about 1h)
  - Is there a possibility to get a demo without time limitations?
  - To our understanding, the license for the Industrial Ethernet Stack is provided by the MCU itself.

Thanks in advance for you help (and sorry for asking so many questions ;) )

Robin

Tommy Beckmann

over 3 years ago

0 Connie Lu1 over 3 years ago

TI__Intellectual 2125 points

Hi team,

Is there any update on this?

Thanks,

Connie

0 Dhaval Khandla over 3 years ago in reply to Connie Lu1

TI__Mastermind 27134 points

Hi
Sorry for the delay in response. We will provide answers by end of this week.

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

0 Dhaval Khandla over 3 years ago in reply to Dhaval Khandla

TI__Mastermind 27134 points

Robin Bross said:
Cyclic Data:

How is the cyclic data mapped from the application side via the stack API to the PLC side (represented by the GSD file)?

How to check for data written by the PLC to the device (Output Data)? Is there a manual how to do this?

How are the three buffers required by the input and output buffer function handled and what are the restrictions here (PN_API_DEV_setOutputDataBuffer, PN_API_DEV_setInputDataBuffer)?
In the demo the same buffer is provided for three buffer parameters required by the functions.

The Process Data is mapped in APP_configureSubmodules().

The previously allocated Process Data is now split in submodules/those are assigned to memory regions by defining Offset and Length within Input/Output Data Buffer. We have a video explaining this process, which can be downloaded from following link.

Link : https://tidrive.ext.ti.com/u/zzrCPAY6wjHdOsI0/76487039-a0d0-42de-897e-52b1141e7362?l
Password : 6SmN6F,f

Robin Bross said:
Acyclic Data

Is there a demo how to handle acyclic data and how the data is structured for this?

Acyclic Data for example I&M Data is registered in APP_configureImData within so called I&M Carrier

See Below the I&M Carrier Descriptor:

/*
* Example of how different flavors of I&M carriers can be added to the array.
* A real submodule must be plugged prior adding an I&M carrier.
* Submodule must be able to be an I&M carrier (consistency with GSD).
* By adding a new I&M set, don't forget to adjust APP_IM_CARRIER_NUM.
*
*   {.api = 0x00000000, .slotNumber = 0x0001, .subslotNumber = 0x0001,
*   .supportedIm = PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM1 | PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM2 | PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM3,
*   .deviceRepresentative = false, .moduleRepresentative = true, .memoryIndex = 1},
*
*   {.api = 0x12344567, .slotNumber = 0x00aa, .subslotNumber = 0x00fe,
*   .supportedIm = PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM2,
*   .deviceRepresentative = false, .moduleRepresentative = false, .memoryIndex = 2},
*/
static const APP_SImCarrierDescriptor_t imCarrierDescriptors_s[APP_IM_CARRIER_NUM] =
{
    {.api = 0x00000000, .slotNumber = 0x0000, .subslotNumber = 0x0001,
    .supportedIm = PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM1 | PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM2 | PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM3 | PN_API_IM_eSUPPORT_IM4,
    .deviceRepresentative = true, .moduleRepresentative = true, .memoryIndex = 0}
};

The I&M Carrier is filled in APP_createImDataCarrier.

It is processed by the PROFINET Stack when given to PN_API_IM_addImCarrier.

Robin Bross said:
Evaluation License

We faced the issue, that the demo stops to work after some time (about 1h)

Is there a possibility to get a demo without time limitations?

Demos without time limitations are planned for 2Q 2022.

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

0 Robin Bross over 3 years ago in reply to Dhaval Khandla

Prodigy 233 points

Thank you very much for this detailed answer.

The video is a good reference to understand how the buffer is assigned to the submodules.

I still have a one more questions, that would help us to proceed with the evaluation:

How are the three buffers required by the input and output buffer function handled and what are the restrictions here (PN_API_DEV_setOutputDataBuffer, PN_API_DEV_setInputDataBuffer)?
In the demo the same buffer is provided for three buffer parameters required by the functions.

It would be great if we could get a reference, where we can find more information about this mechanism.

Regards
Robin