As communication protocols have become
more advanced, they also have become more difficult to learn, implement, and support. Our
goal is to help you cost-effectively add new communication protocols to your products.
When protocols evolve to meet the expanding needs of your customers, Triangle MicroWorks
will supply you with upward compatible software and expert technical advice to support the
new features.
Triangle MicroWorks offers proven solutions to
your communication protocol development needs. Incorporating our royalty-free Source Code
Libraries in your products will shorten software development time and free internal
resources to work on company proprietary aspects of your products. In addition, our proven
compatibility with existing equipment reduces software development risks. We are your
communication protocol experts!
Our Software Libraries are written in
ANSI Standard C Source Code for compilation into object code for any target microprocessor. We provide
source code and thorough documentation for all modules (files), allowing you to tailor as
little or as much as is necessary to fit your unique needs. Typical installations require
minimal modification to only two or three platform-specific modules. Also, by adhering to
strict coding standards, we maximize readability and usability, while preventing conflicts
with your existing source code. Consequently, our Source Code Libraries can be easily and
efficiently compiled and linked with your standard product software.
We make it our job to participate in
protocol governing bodies such as the DNP Users Group (including representation on the DNP
Technical Committee), Modbus-IDA, OPC Foundation, and the IEC Technical Committee 57 Working Group 03. We keep up with
changes in the standards, update our Libraries accordingly, and consequently keep your
products current with minimal resource allocation on your part. Finally, we have a large
customer and contact base, which helps to resolve unique issues that may surface as we "fit" protocols into your products.
Currently, we offer Source Code
Libraries for:
We are constantly developing Libraries for
other protocols. Please ask, in many cases we will develop a new Source Code Library for
only the cost of the first product license.
For each protocol, we offer several
versions of our Source Code Libraries, including: Slave (controlled), Master (controlling), and Peer-to-Peer. Slave
versions (typically used in IED devices) accept commands from and "serve" data
to a Master device. Master versions control and collect data from many Slave devices
through multiple physical I/O ports. Peer-to-Peer versions combine the functionality of
both Slave and Master versions.
The Source Code Libraries are organized
into platform-specific modules (files) and core protocol-specific modules:
Platform-specific modules contain examples and
prototypes that can be used as-is, or as a basis for new routines in your target device.
Integration of the modules is performed in phases, with documented test procedures after
each phase. In the first phase, basic communication is established, and testing can be
performed with simulated data already included. The remaining functionality can be added
and tested on an incremental basis.
Protocol-specific modules implement the
selected communication protocol according to current, published specifications. Since
these files are typically not changed when installed in a target device, upgrades to
future versions of the Source Code Library to support enhancements to the protocol are
simply a matter of replacing these files.
With each Source Code Library, we
provide a comprehensive manual containing detailed diagrams and methodology descriptions.
Tabs are used to distinguish between platform-specific and
protocol-specific modules. The manuals also contain step-by-step installation instructions
and helpful advice. Detailed test procedures ensure the Library has been correctly
installed in your application.
Triangle MicroWorks can provide an
engineer to work on-site or off-site with your development team to further streamline the
Source Code Library integration process. We can also contract to do a portion of the
project or a complete turnkey solution. Some of the implementation services provided by
Triangle MicroWorks are:
- Create protocol-specific "Device Profile
Documents" for your product specifying the data points available and protocol
standard conformance (these documents are typically released to end-customers as part of a
user's guide package)
- Provide employee training and clarification of protocol
specifications
- Modify platform-specific Source Code Library modules to
interface with your product
- Perform software test plan
Our participation in protocol governing
bodies allows us to keep our Source Code Libraries up-to-date with the latest features
requested by your customers. These updates are provided to you through our Software
Maintenance and Enhancement Plan which:
- Is provided free for the first year with purchase of a Source Code Library
- Includes new releases of the Source Code Libraries as they become available
- Allows access to technical support by telephone, fax, or electronic mail
- Provides a cost-effective upgrade method for future enhancements to the protocols
| Contact Triangle
MicroWorks, Inc. to obtain more detailed information on the operation of our Source
Code Libraries and our implementation services.
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