Electronic Operator Interface
InView™ Message Displays
DataLiner/Competitive Migration (Parallel Conversion)
Parallel Communication — Conversion to InView
Message display technology has been standardized on less expensive serial connections, but a large number of message displays, such as the Allen-Bradley DL5, communicate over parallel connections.
This document provides a general overview of how InView can replace any parallel driven Rockwell Automation or competitor’s message display using a MicroLogix 1200 or CompactLogix L20 controller. By wiring the parallel connection as digital inputs, the controller can be programmed to output properly formatted serial ASCII text to Allen-Bradley InView displays.
Parallel specifications differ in how inputs are used as selection lines or data lines. This document presents a general solution for converting parallel communication to InView and migrating a DL5.
Traditional Parallel Architecture
Traditional, more expensive message displays relied on a PLC to trigger messages and update variables via a parallel connection.
Proposed Architecture
As shown, the PLC triggers messages and updates variables based on the parallel connection. Both the MicroLogix and less expensive CompactLogix controllers require the same communication port for both programming and RS-232 output. Example RLL code developed for MicroLogix and CompactLogix is outlined later. Conversion programs exist (also discussed later) for converting non-InView message files to InView software files. 
An optional 9 pin D-shell on 1761-NET-AIC is used to drive multiple InView displays. Multiple displays can share the same display address so downloads, messages, and variables are sent to all displays.MicroLogix Implementation
Bill of Materials
Qty. Catalog Number Description 1 1762-L40BWA MicroLogix 1200 1 1761-NET-AIC AIC+ communication interface (optional) 1 1761-CBL-PM02 AIC+ to MicroLogix ccable (optional) 1+ InView message display Interfacing Architecture:
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CompactLogix Implementation
Bill of Materials
Qty. Catalog Number Description 1 1769-L30 or 1769-L20 CompactLogix processor with 2 serial ports or CompactLogix processor with 1 serial port 1 1769-PA2 120/240 VAC input power supply 1 1769-IQ16 16 point 120 VAC input module 1 1769-ECR Right end cap/terminator 1 1761-NET-AIC AIC+ communication interface (optional) 1 1761-CBL-PM02 AC+ to CompactLogix cable (optional) 1 InView message display Interfacing Architecture:
InView Selection Line and Variables Setup (Binary)
12 13 14 15 Variables 0 0 0 0 Message number 1 0 0 0 Variable 1 0 1 0 0 Variable 2 1 1 0 0 Variable 3 0 0 1 0 Variable 4 1 0 1 0 Variable 5 0 1 1 0 Variable 6 1 1 1 0 Variable 7 0 0 0 1 Variable 8 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) 1 0 0 1 Variable 9 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) 0 1 0 1 Variable 10 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) 1 1 0 1 Variable 11 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) 0 0 1 1 Variable 12 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) 1 0 1 1 Variable 13 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) 0 1 1 1 Variable 14 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) 1 1 1 1 Variable 15 — (included RLL supports MicroLogix only) AIC+ Interface Wiring:
InView Message Example:
Message File Conversion Utility
This conversion utility [ZIP] is designed to take old message display setup files and convert them to a comma separated variable file. The comma separate variable file (*.csv) can be opened directly in the InView software.
Ladder Logic Code
Monitor the selection lines shown above to either trigger a new message or update a variable on the InView for all input changes. When the selection lines specify a message trigger, the data lines specify which message to trigger. Despite which message is triggered, all variables retain their values. When the selection lines specify a variable trigger, the data lines specify the new value of the variable indicated by the selection lines (variables 1 through 15).
ASCII writes require that the controllers are configured properly.
CompactLogix: (Controller Properties — Serial Port — Mode=User, BaudRate=9600)
MicroLogix: (Channel Configuration — Driver=ASCII, Baud=9600).The 1769-L30 provides two serial ports. One can be used to go online while the other outputs the ASCII text. To use controllers with only one serial port, one must alternate between being online through the serial port and outputting ASCII through the serial port. To enable the communication port for output, one must set the communication port.
To restore connectivity through the serial port, press the default communication configuration ("DCH0" for CompactLogix or "COMM" for MicroLogix) button, plug in the DF1 cable, and go back online through RSLogix 500 or 5000.
Example code
General framework: parallel conversion template Specific implementation example: DL5 parallel for MicroLogix General framework: parallel conversion template Specific implementation example: DL5 parallel (binary/ACD)