Broadcast Messages over Serial Port

Some
Logix Designer
  controllers are equipped with one or two serial ports.
NOTE: Logix Designer versions 37 and later do not support controllers with serial ports. This topic applies only to Logix Designer versions 36 and earlier.
With the
Logix Designer
 application versions 36 and earlier, you can use serial ports to send broadcast messages from a master controller to all its slave controllers using one of these protocols:
  • DF1 Master
  • DF1 Radio Modem
  • DF1 Slave
Broadcast messages are sent to receiving controllers. Because of this, you can use Write message types with broadcast messages. Write message types include:
  • CIP Generic
  • CIP Data Table Write
  • PLC-2
     Unprotected Write
  • PLC-3
     Typed Write
  • PLC-3
     Word Range Write
  • PLC-5
     Typed Write
  • PLC-5
     Word Range Write
  • SLC
     Typed Write
To broadcast messages over the Serial Port
You can set up broadcast messages in ladder logic and structured text programs.
  • In ladder logic, add the Message instruction and structure and then select to access the
    Message Configuration
     dialog box to set up the message.
  • In structured text, type MSG (aMSG) and then right-click on aMsg and choose
    Configure
    to access the
    Message Configuration
     dialog box to set up the message.
To configure a broadcast message
  1. In the
    Controller Organizer
    , right-click the Controller and choose
    Properties
    .
    The
    Controller Properties
     dialog box appears.
  2. Select the
    System Protocol
    tab. This tab appears only for controllers that have a serial port.
  3. From the
    Protocol
     menu, choose
    DF1 Master
    ,
    DF1 Radio Modem
    , or
    DF1 Slave
    .
    Depending on the protocol you chose, various parameters appear on the screen.
  4. Enter the information for the protocol. Select Controller Properties Dialog Box - System Protocol Tab Overview for help.
  5. Select
    OK
    .
  6. Do one of these options:
    • In your ladder logic program, select inside the MSG instruction.
    • In your structure text program, right-click a Msg and choose
      Configure
      .
      The
      Message Configuration
       dialog box appears with the
      Configuration
      tab open.
  7. From the
    Message Type
    menu, choose a Write message type to enable the
    Broadcast
    button on the
    Communication
    tab. See above for a list of Write message types.
    Depending on the type of message you choose, various parameters appear on the screen.
  8. Configure the rest of the fields and select
    Apply
    . Select Configuring Message Instructions for help.
  9. Select the
    Communication
    tab.
  10. Select
    Broadcast
    .
  11. In the field next to
    Broadcast
    , choose a channel from the menu. The number of available channels depends on the controller.
    When you select channel 0, the message path in the
    Message Configuration
    dialog box defaults to 2,255.  When you select channel 1, the message path in the
    Message Configuration
    dialog box defaults to 3,255. Note that 255 is the address for broadcasts.
    Path is not available so you can not manually enter a path value.
  12. Select
    OK
    .
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