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My Understanding of ArcNet Protocol

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3 Aug 2017CPOL3 min read 15.7K   4   3
ArcNet Protocol basics

What is ArcNet?

Attached Resource Computer Network is a communication protocol widely used in build automation. This protocol is very efficient in Local Area Network, wherein multiple devices want to share information at a faster phase. Core functionality of this protocol relies on token passing between nodes. Better analogy could be, consider network as a shared object and token as the key to the object.

What are the Other Features?

  • Data speeds up to 10Mpbs
  • Variable packet lengths
  • Supports Bus or star topology
  • Uni-cast and broadcast messages

Let's dive into each message type in the protocol.

RECON - Reconfiguration

This is another important message or feature to keep track of the network changes. This message can be triggered in the following cases:

  1. When a node joins the network
  2. When a node leaves the network
  3. For high performance, it can be triggered every 20 - 30ms

image007

ITT: Invitation to Transmit

Token is the identifier for the node or the device in the network. When node enters the network, it sends a RECON message. This message will inform the network about change in configuration of the network and re-start the token passing.

Let's take a simple example of a network.

picture1

Now node 1 starts the token passing, it will send out ITT message to destination nodes starting from next address of its current address. In our case, it would be 0x0B. It keeps on sending ITT until it receives the response from any node in the network.

image003

Now as you can see, 0x02 node has responded to the request from 0x0a. Now the token is with 0x02 node, so it starts its token parsing to find out another node in the network.

When ITT message reached the destination as 0x05, node three responds takes on the task of token parsing. Then it identifies another node that is i.e 0x0a. So token passing happens until all nodes in the network are identified. For our setup, the initial token passing is completed, we have a network 0x0A <-> 0x02 <-> 0x05 <-> 0x0a.

After accomplishing the network and identifying the nodes in the network, the token passing keeps on continuing as shown below for efficient data transfer.

image005

How? Say for example, 0x0a wants to send some data to 0x05. It can send the data only when it has the token. As I said earlier, token is a kind of key to the network infrastructure and resources.

FBE - Free Buffer Enquiry

Before a node sends a packet to another node, it needs to know if the receiver can accept incoming packets.

When the node has the token, it would send a FBE request to the receiving node. The receiver can choose to send ACK or NAK.

FBE with NAK/ACK is shown below:

image009

image009 image011

PAC: Packet

This is the message protocol to send data frames to the receiving node. The data could be anything.

The frame contains Source address node, destination node, length and the actual data. The receiver can ACK or NAK the transmission.

PAC sequence is shown below:

image012

ACK: Acknowledgement

  • Sent by receiving node to the sender about accepting the information sent

NAK: Negative Acknowledgement

  • Sent by receiving node to the sender about rejecting the information sent

Image 9 Image 10

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Team Leader
United States United States
My passion is working on solutions architecture and software development, using an extensive range of technical knowledge and expertise in protocol and driver development, programming, communication peripherals and software applications. Leading projects with major global clients I have developed strong skills in all stages of the software development lifecycle and project management, and possess strong communication skills for working with stakeholders from different backgrounds to understand requirements, lead development and testing, deliver reporting, training and post-implementation support.

I am ambitious and committed to always providing a professional service, and am proud to have consistently received promotions and awards in reward and recognition programs.

Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionMicrocontroller programming for arcnet Pin
Member 1352846227-Jun-19 8:21
Member 1352846227-Jun-19 8:21 
GeneralEarly days of networking Pin
JackPeacock27-Feb-17 8:16
professionalJackPeacock27-Feb-17 8:16 
GeneralRe: Early days of networking Pin
Member 1236439027-Feb-17 21:29
Member 1236439027-Feb-17 21:29 

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