POINT I/O ASCII Modules

Catalog Numbers 1734-232ASC, 1734-485ASC, 1734-485ASCK

User Manual Original Instructions

POINT I/O ASCII Modules User Manual

Important User Information

Read this document and the documents listed in the additional resources section about installation, configuration, and
operation of this equipment before you install, configure, operate, or maintain this product. Users are required to familiarize
themselves with installation and wiring instructions in addition to requirements of all applicable codes, laws, and standards.

Activities including installation, adjustments, putting into service, use, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance are required to
be carried out by suitably trained personnel in accordance with applicable code of practice.

If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.

In no event will Rockwell Automation, Inc. be responsible or liable for indirect or consequential damages resulting from the use
or application of this equipment.

The examples and diagrams in this manual are included solely for illustrative purposes. Because of the many variables and
requirements associated with any particular installation, Rockwell Automation, Inc. cannot assume responsibility or liability for
actual use based on the examples and diagrams.

No patent liability is assumed by Rockwell Automation, Inc. with respect to use of information, circuits, equipment, or software
described in this manual.

Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without written permission of Rockwell Automation, Inc., is
prohibited.

Throughout this manual, when necessary, we use notes to make you aware of safety considerations.

WARNING: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can cause an explosion in a hazardous environment, which
may lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.

ATTENTION: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can lead to personal injury or death, property
damage, or economic loss. Attentions help you identify a hazard, avoid a hazard, and recognize the consequence.

IMPORTANT Identifies information that is critical for successful application and understanding of the product.
Labels may also be on or inside the equipment to provide specific precautions.

SHOCK HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that dangerous
voltage may be present.

BURN HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that surfaces may
reach dangerous temperatures.

ARC FLASH HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a motor control center, to alert people to potential
Arc Flash. Arc Flash will cause severe injury or death. Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Follow ALL Regulatory
requirements for safe work practices and for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

2 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Table of Contents

Preface
About This Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Purpose of this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Download Firmware, Add-on Profile, EDS, and Other Files. . . . . . . . . . . 5
Summary of Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Chapter 1
Overview of the POINT I/O General Information on the ASCII Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ASCII Modules Cable Pinouts for Standard DB Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Install a Serial Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Read Serial Device Input Data from the ASCII Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Write Serial Output Data to the ASCII Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Configure ASCII Modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Requested Packet Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Listen Only Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Operating Mode Selections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Transmit Handshake and Transmit Immediate Option. . . . . . . . . . 11
Produce Immediate and Master/Slave Handshake Option . . . . . . . 12
Pad and No Pad Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Module Inhibiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Electronic Keying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Chapter 2
Configure the ASCII Module Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Create a New Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Edit the Module Configuration Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
General Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Connection Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Module Info Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Configuration Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Advance Format Configuration Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
View the Module Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Chapter 3
Module Tag Definitions Tag Name Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Access the Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Configuration Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
POINT I/O Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Receive Serial Data from the ASCII Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Set Up the Receive Character Buffer Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Set Up and Use Pad Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Set Up and Use the Swap Bytes Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Set Up and Use Delimiter Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

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Table of Contents

Receive String Data Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Status Byte Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Transmit Serial Data to the ASCII Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Set Up the Transmit Character Buffer Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Set Up and Use the Transmit Delimiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Transmit String Data Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Transmit Handshake or Transmit Immediate Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Transmit Serial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Produce Immediate or Master/Slave Handshake Mode . . . . . . . . . . 33

Chapter 4
Diagnostics Interpret Status Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Appendix A
ASCII Module with ControlLogix About These Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
System Application Examples Serial Port Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Send Data Through the ASCII Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Receive Data From the ASCII Modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Read Data from the ASCII Modules into ControlLogix . . . . . . . . . . 38
Transmit Data from ControlLogix Through the ASCII Modules . . 39

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

4 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Preface

About This Publication Read this preface to familiarize yourself with the rest of the manual. It
provides information concerning:
• Who should use this manual
• The purpose of this manual
• Related documentation

Rockwell Automation recognizes that some of the terms that are currently
used in our industry and in this publication are not in alignment with the
movement toward inclusive language in technology. We are proactively
collaborating with industry peers to find alternatives to such terms and
making changes to our products and content. Please excuse the use of such
terms in our content while we implement these changes.

Purpose of this Manual This manual describes how to use your POINT I/O™ 1734-232ASC serial
interface module (for the RS-232 network) or 1734-485ASC and 1734-485ASCK
modules (for the RS-485 or RS-422 network) in Logix 5000® control systems.

Make sure that you are familiar with the following:

• Use of a controller in a Logix 5000 control system
• Use of an EtherNet/IP™ network, if the POINT I/O modules are
installed in a remote location from the controller that is accessible via
the EtherNet/IP network
• Studio 5000 Logix Designer® application environment

IMPORTANT Remember the following when you use POINT I/O module:
• You can use POINT I/O modules directly with CompactLogix™ 5370
controllers. However, for all other CompactLogix and ControlLogix®
controllers you need to use a POINT I/O adapter.
• You must use the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application, version 17 or
later, to configure POINT I/O modules.

Download Firmware, Add-on Download firmware, associated files (such as Add-on Profile, EDS, and DTM),
Profile, EDS, and Other Files and access product release notes from the Product Compatibility and
Download Center at rok.auto/pcdc.

Summary of Changes This publication contains the following new or updated information. This list
includes substantive updates only and is not intended to reflect all changes.

Topic Page
Updated template throughout
Changed from DeviceNet® to EtherNet/IP throughout
Added inclusive language acknowledgment 5
Removed the installation section 8
Updated configuration chapter with EtherNet/IP network and Studio 5000 Logix Designer 15
Added a module tag definition chapter 23
Removed the specifications appendix 37

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 5

Preface

Additional Resources These documents contain additional information concerning related products
from Rockwell Automation.

Resource Description
POINT I/O RS-232 and RS-485 ASCII Modules Installation Instructions, Describes how to install and wire the POINT I/O ASCII modules.
publication 1734-IN588
POINT I/O Selection Guide, publication 1734-SG001 Provides specifications for the entire POINT I/O family of products.
Provides guidance on how to conduct security assessments, implement Rockwell Automation
System Security Design Guidelines Reference Manual, publication SECURE-RM001 products in a secure system, harden the control system, manage user access, and dispose of
equipment.
Describes how to configure and use EtherNet/IP devices to communicate on the EtherNet/IP
EtherNet/IP Network Configuration User Manual, publication ENET-UM006 network.
Ethernet Reference Manual, publication ENET-RM002 Describes basic Ethernet concepts, infrastructure components, and infrastructure features.
Industrial Components Preventive Maintenance, Enclosures, and Contact Ratings Provides a quick reference tool for Allen-Bradley® industrial automation controls and
Specifications, publication IC-TD002 assemblies.
Safety Guidelines for the Application, Installation, and Maintenance of Solid-state Designed to harmonize with NEMA Standards Publication No. ICS 1.1-1987 and provides general
guidelines for the application, installation, and maintenance of solid-state control in the form of
Control, publication SGI-1.1 individual devices or packaged assemblies incorporating solid-state components.
Industrial Automation Wiring and Grounding Guidelines, publication 1770-4.1 Provides general guidelines for installing a Rockwell Automation industrial system.
Product Certifications website, rok.auto/certifications Provides declarations of conformity, certificates, and other certification details.

You can view or download publications at rok.auto/literature.

6 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Chapter 1

Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

Topic Page
General Information on the ASCII Modules 7
Cable Pinouts for Standard DB Connectors 8
Install a Serial Network 8
Read Serial Device Input Data from the ASCII Module 8
Write Serial Output Data to the ASCII Module 9
Configure ASCII Modules 9
Listen Only Mode 11
Operating Mode Selections 11
Module Inhibiting 12
Electronic Keying 13

General Information on The POINT I/O ASCII modules provide a flexible EtherNet/IP interface to a
the ASCII Modules wide variety of RS-232, RS-485, and RS-422 ASCII devices. The modules
provide the communication connections to the ASCII device.

The 1734-232ASC module connects to the RS-232 network while the

1734-485ASC module connects to the RS-485 or RS-422 network.

POINT I/O RS-232 and RS-485 ASCII Modules

2
us le
at u
St od
M

D s rk
O atu o
S et t w
N

E:
N

1
TX

X
R

2A 4
SC
23 173

10

9
3
8
7

Component Description
Description Description
1 Module locking mechanism 6 Interlocking side pieces

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 7

Chapter 1 Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

Component Description (Continued)

Description Description
2 Slide-in writable Label 7 DIN rail locking screw (orange)
3 RTB removing handle 8 Mechanical keying (orange)
4 Removable Terminal Block (RTB) 9 Module wiring diagram
5 Mounting base 10 Insertable I/O module

Cable Pinouts for Table 1 shows how to connect cable pinouts for standard DB connectors.
Standard DB Connectors Table 1 - ASCII Functions
Pin Number
Function DB-25 DB-9
Transmit Data (TXD) 2 3
Receive Data (RXD) 3 2
Signal Ground (SG) 7 5

Install a Serial Network The communication between your serial devices and the:
• 1734-232ASC is an RS-232 3-wire network.
• 1734-485ASC is an RS-485 2-wire network or RS-422 4-wire network.

1. Connect an appropriate cable to your device.

2. Connect the other end of the cable to the ASCII module using the
designated positions on the 1734-TB terminal block.

Notice the terminal markings on the ASCII module case.

3. Turn on power to the serial device and the ASCII module.
4. Configure the ASCII buffer sizes on the ASCII module.

The defaults are 20 and 20. If more than 20 bytes are required for the transmit
or receive buffers, set the appropriate parameters. See Read Data from the
ASCII Modules into ControlLogix on page 38 and Transmit Data from
ControlLogix Through the ASCII Modules on page 39.

Read Serial Device Input 1. Add the ASCII module to a Studio 5000 Logix Designer application
Data from the ASCII Module project, see Create a New Module on page 15.
2. Connect the serial side of the ASCII module to your computer’s serial
port or another serial device.
3. From the Module Information dialog box, check the module information.
4. Make sure that the ASCII module is in the default factory configuration.
5. Set the communication rate and framing format of the serial port to the
communication rate and framing format of the serial device that you are
using.
6. Put the controller in Run mode.
7. Direct the device that you are communicating with to send data.
You can see the data sent from the device in the controller tag. See Read
Data from the ASCII Modules into ControlLogix on page 38.
The default assembly of the poll response message is shown in Table 2.

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 Chapter 1 Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

Table 2 - Default Receive Data Assembly Format (Default Mode)

Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5…23 Byte 24
Receive Record Number Status Byte Reserved Length ASCII Data <CR> (Terminator)

Write Serial Output Data to 1. Add the ASCII module to a Studio 5000 Logix Designer application
the ASCII Module project, see Create a New Module on page 15.
2. Connect the serial side of the ASCII module to your computer’s serial
port or another serial device.
3. From the Module Information dialog box, check the module information.
4. Make sure that the ASCII module is in the default factory configuration.
5. Set the communication rate and framing format of the serial port to the
communication rate and framing format of the serial device that you are
using.
6. Enter the serial data that you wish to send in the transmit data controller
tag.
7. Enter the length of the data in the length byte to reflect the length you
wish to send and press Enter.
8. Set the transmit record number from the controller tag, and apply.
The ASCII module transmits the characters that you entered in the
controller tag to the connected serial device.
Table 3 - Default Transmit Data Assembly Format (Default Mode)
Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5…23 Byte 24
Reserved Transmit Record Number Reserved Length ASCII Data <CR> (Terminator)

Configure ASCII Modules You must create a Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project for the
Logix 5000 controller that owns the ASCII module. The project includes
module configuration data for the ASCII module.

The Studio 5000 Logix Designer application transfers the project to the owner-
controller during the program download. Data is then transferred to the ASCII
module over the EtherNet/IP network.

ASCII modules can operate immediately after receiving the configuration data.

Connections

During module configuration, you must define the module. Among the
Module Definition parameters, you must choose a connection type for the
module. A connection is a real-time data transfer link between the owner-
controller and the module that occupies the slot that the configuration
references.

When you download module configuration to a controller, the controller

attempts to establish a connection to each module in the configuration.

Because part of module configuration includes a slot in the POINT I/O system,
the owner-controller checks for the presence of a module there. If a module is

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Chapter 1 Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

detected, the owner-controller sends the configuration. One of the following

occurs:
• If the configuration is appropriate to the module detected, a connection
is made and operation begins.
• If the configuration is not appropriate to the module detected, the data is
rejected and the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application indicates that
an error occurred.

The configuration can be inappropriate for many reasons. For example, a

mismatch in electronic keying that helps prevents normal operation.

The owner-controller monitors its connection with a module. Any break in the
connection, for example, the loss of power to the backplane, causes a fault. The
Studio 5000 Logix Designer application monitors the fault status tags to
indicate when a fault occurs on a module.

Connection Types Available with POINT I/O ASCII Modules

When configuring an ASCII module, you must define the module. Connection
is a required parameter in the Module Definition. The choice determines what
data is exchanged between the owner-controller and the module.

Table 4 describes the connection types that you can use with an ASCII module.
Table 4 - Connections - POINT I/O ASCII Modules
Connection Type Description
The module returns the following to the owner-controller:
Data • General fault data
• Input data
When a Listen Only data connection is used, another controller owns the module.
Listen Only A controller that makes a Listen Only connection to the module does not write configuration
for the module. It merely listens to the data exchanged with the owner-controller.

For more information on the connection choices available with ASCII module,
see the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application.

Requested Packet Interval

The Requested Packet Interval (RPI) is a configurable parameter that defines a

specific rate at which data is exchanged between the owner-controller and the
module.

You set the RPI value during initial module configuration and can adjust it as
necessary after module operation has begun. Valid RPI values are 2…750 ms.

IMPORTANT If you change the RPI while the project is online, the connection to the
module is closed and reopened in one of the following ways:
• You inhibit the connection to the module, change the RPI value, and uninhibit
the connection.
• You change the RPI value. In this case, the connection is closed and
reopened immediately after you apply the change to the module
configuration.

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 Chapter 1 Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

For more information on guidelines for specifying RPI rates, see the
Logix 5000 Controllers Design Considerations Reference Manual, publication
1756-RM094.

Listen Only Mode Any controller in the system can listen to the data from an ASCII module. An
owner-controller exchanges data with the ASCII module.

Other controllers can use a Listen Only connection with the module. In this
case, the ‘listening’ controller can only listen to input data or ‘echoed’ output
data. The listening controller does not own the module configuration or
exchange other data with the module.

During the I/O configuration process, you can specify a Listen Only
connection. For more information on Connection options, see Module
Definition on page 17.

IMPORTANT Remember the following:

• If a controller attempts to use a Listen Only connection to a module but the
owner-controller connection uses the Unicast option, the attempt at a Listen
Only connection fails.
The ‘Listen Only’ controller receives data from the module as long as a
connection between an owner-controller and module is maintained.
• If the connection between an owner-controller and the module is broken, the
module stops sending data and connections to all ‘listening controllers’ are
also broken.

Operating Mode Selections The ASCII module has several different operating modes, some of which are
available only in certain combinations. Major options are summarized below,
with additional details provided in Chapter 2.

Transmit Handshake and Transmit Immediate Option

This option defines when the ASCII module transmits data out of its
serial port.

With Transmit Handshake active (default), the ASCII modules keys on the
second byte (Transmit Record Number) of the poll command or explicit
message to determine whether the consumed data from controller is to be
transmitted out the serial port. While this Transmit Record Number is static,
the module does not transmit the command data. Upon sensing a change in
value of the Transmit Record Number byte, the module transmits the data. It
initiates one serial transmission for each change in the Transmit Record
Number value, regardless of the data string value.

In Transmit Immediate mode, the ASCII module ignores the Transmit Record
Number byte value and initiates a new serial port transmission with each
message that is received from the controller.
Carefully consider when you select this option for I/O messaging. See
POINT I/O Parameters on page 25 for details.

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Chapter 1 Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

These actions take place with either a Poll command or an explicit message
that writes to the consume Assembly Object or the serial port object.

Produce Immediate and Master/Slave Handshake Option

This option defines when the ASCII module sends new data to controller.

In Produce Immediate mode (default), the ASCII module sends its most
current serial port data to the controller in response to each Poll command or
explicit message, or in response to an event.

With Master/Slave Handshake active, the ASCII module keys on the first byte
(next Transmit Record Number) of the Poll command or explicit message to
determine whether the new data from its serial port is sent to the controller.
This technique is useful when the adapter must ensure that some specific
actions have taken place before receiving the new serial data.

In this operating mode, the module sets the New Data Flag in its Serial Status
byte when a new string is received into the serial port. When the controller is
ready to receive the new data, it changes the value of the next Transmit Record
Number in the next Poll command or explicit message. Upon detection of the
next Transmit Record Number value change, the module updates its produce
buffer with the most recent serial input string.

Pad and No Pad Option

If the Pad option is selected (default), the ASCII module always sends a fixed
number of data bytes to the master. It is typically used when a Terminating
Character trigger is used to stop receiving ASCII data. This is useful if the
ASCII device that is connected to the ASCII module has varying data lengths
and the master cannot accept varying length I/O messages. The ASCII module
fills a short message with the pre-defined Pad Character. The Max Receive
Length parameter defines the data length.

If the No Pad option is selected, the ASCII module’s produce I/O message
resizes itself to the length of the received ASCII data. This conserves
bandwidth, but causes scanners that do not support variable I/O sizes to
malfunction. Do not turn off Pad Mode if you do not have (or do not know if
you have) a scanner that supports variable I/O sizes. Pad Mode is ON by
default.

Module Inhibiting Module inhibiting lets you indefinitely suspend a connection, including Listen
Only connections, between an owner-controller and an I/O module without
removing the module from the configuration. This process lets you
temporarily disable a module, such as to perform maintenance.

You can use module inhibiting in the following ways:

• You write a configuration for an I/O module but inhibit the module to
help prevent it from communicating with the owner-controller. The

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 Chapter 1 Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

owner does not establish a connection and the configuration is not sent
to the module until the connection is uninhibited.
• In your application, a controller already owns a module, has downloaded
the configuration to the module, and is exchanging data over the
connection between the devices.

In this case, you can inhibit the module and the connection to the module
does not exist.

IMPORTANT Whenever you inhibit an output module that is ProgMode enabled, it

enters Program mode, and all outputs change to the state
configured for Program mode.
For example, if an output module is configured so that the state of
the outputs transition to zero during Program mode, whenever that
module is inhibited, outputs transition to zero.

You can use module inhibiting in these instances:

• You want to update an analog I/O module, for example, update the
module firmware revision. Use the following procedure.
a. Inhibit the module.
b. Perform the update.
c. Uninhibit the module.
• You use a program that includes a module that you do not physically
possess yet. You do not want the controller to look for a module that does
not yet exist. In this case, you can inhibit the module in your program
until it physically resides in the proper slot.

To see where to inhibit a POINT I/O ASCII module, see Connection Category
on page 18.

Electronic Keying Electronic Keying reduces the possibility that you use the wrong device in a
control system. It compares the device that is defined in your project to the
installed device. If keying fails, a fault occurs. These attributes are compared.

Attribute Description
Vendor The device manufacturer.
Device Type The general type of the product, for example, ASCII module.
Product Code The specific type of the product. The Product Code maps to a catalog number.
Major Revision A number that represents the functional capabilities of a device.
Minor Revision A number that represents behavior changes in the device.

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Chapter 1 Overview of the POINT I/O ASCII Modules

Table 5 shows the Electronic Keying options that are available.

Table 5 - Electronic Keying Options

Keying Option Description
Lets the installed device accept the key of the device that is defined in the project when the
installed device can emulate the defined device. With Compatible Module, you can typically
replace a device with another device that has the following characteristics:
• Same catalog number
Compatible Module
• Same or higher Major Revision
• Minor Revision as follows:
– If the Major Revision is the same, the Minor Revision must be the same or higher.
– If the Major Revision is higher, the Minor Revision can be any number.
Indicates that the keying attributes are not considered when attempting to communicate with a
device. With Disable Keying, communication can occur with a device other than the type specified
in the project.
ATTENTION: Be extremely cautious when using Disable Keying; if used incorrectly, this option can
Disable Keying lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.
We strongly recommend that you do not use Disable Keying.
If you use Disable Keying, you must take full responsibility for understanding whether the device
being used can fulfill the functional requirements of the application.
Indicates that all keying attributes must match to establish communication. If any attribute does
Exact Match not match precisely, communication with the device does not occur.

Carefully consider the implications of each keying option when selecting one.

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 Chapter 2

Configure the ASCII Module

Topic Page
Before You Begin 15
Create a New Module 15
Edit the Module Configuration Categories 17
View the Module Tags 21

This chapter describes how to configure your POINT I/O ASCII module in a
Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project. You can use the default
module configuration or edit the module configuration.

IMPORTANT Consider the following:

• You must use the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application, version 17 or
later, to configure POINT I/O modules. Version 31 or later is slightly different
from previous software versions. For example, in some cases, instead of
tabs across the top of the Module Properties dialog box, the application
uses categories on the left side of the dialog box.
• This chapter does not explain each user-configurable module feature that
you can edit on different screens in your Studio 5000 Logix Designer
application project.

Before You Begin You must complete the following tasks before you can configure the module:
1. Create a Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project.
2. Add a POINT I/O EtherNet/IP adapter to the project.

For more information on how to add a POINT I/O EtherNet/IP adapter to

a Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project, see the POINT I/O and
ArmorPOINT® I/O Dual Port EtherNet/IP Adapters User Manual,
publication 1734-UM017, or the POINT I/O EtherNet/IP Adapters User
Manual, publication 1734-UM018.

Create a New Module After you create a Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project and add a
POINT I/O EtherNet/IP adapter to the project, complete these steps to add
modules to the project.

This example shows how to add a 1734-485ASC module when the Studio 5000 Logix
Designer application project is offline.

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Chapter 2 Configure the ASCII Module

1. Right-click on the POINT I/O Chassis node and choose New Module.

2. Select the module and click Create.

You can use filters to minimize the number of modules displayed as
shown.

Clear the Close on Create checkbox if you intend to add more than one module.

The New Module dialog box appears. You can click OK to use the default
configuration as shown or edit the module configuration.

To add additional I/O modules in the same rack, complete one of the following:
• If you cleared the Close on Create checkbox when you created the first
I/O module, repeat step 2.
• If you did not clear the Close on Create checkbox when you created the
first I/O module, repeat steps 1…2.

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 Chapter 2 Configure the ASCII Module

Once added to the network, you must configure the module for use. The
1734-485ASC and 1734-232ASC modules are configured identically.

IMPORTANT This chapter shows configuration in the offline mode. Changes set in this
mode take effect when you download to the individual module.

Edit the Module You click the category names in the New Module dialog box to view and change
Configuration Categories the configuration parameters that are associated with that module.

IMPORTANT This chapter shows how to edit configuration when you add the module to
the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project.
If you access the module configuration after it has been added to the
project, the dialog box is named Module Properties. The Module Properties
dialog box shows the same categories as the New Module dialog box.

Some new module configuration categories apply to all POINT I/O modules.
Some categories are specific to the module type.

For example purposes, the figures in this section are from a

1734-485ASC module.

The following categories apply to all POINT I/O ASCII modules and are
described in this section:
• General Category
• Connection Category
• Module Info Category
• Configuration Category
• Advance Format Configuration Category

General Category

The General category appears first when you create a module. The parameters
in this category are the same for all POINT I/O ASCII modules.

You use this category to complete the following tasks:

• Name the module
• Assign a slot number (required)
• Describe the module
• Access the Module Definition

Module Definition

Module Definition parameters are available on the General tab of the Module
Properties dialog box in the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project.

Table 6 describes the parameters on the Module Definition dialog box.

IMPORTANT The graphic is an example of a Module Definition dialog box. The same set
of fields and options are not available on all POINT I/O modules.

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Chapter 2 Configure the ASCII Module

Table 6 - Module Definition Parameters

Parameter Definition Available Choices(1)
Series Module hardware series Module-specific
Revision Module firmware revision, including major and minor revision levels Module-specific
Software method by which you reduce the possibility of using the wrong device in a control system.
For more information, see the following: Exact Match
Electronic Keying Compatible Module
• Electronic Keying on page 13
Disable Keying
• Electronic Keying in Logix 5000 Control Systems Application Technique, publication LOGIX-AT001
Determines the following for the module type you configure:
• Available configuration parameters Data
Connection
• Data type transferred between the module and the controller Listen Only(2)
• Which tags are generated when configuration is complete
Short_String
Receive Mode Input data for the module that is being defined. String
Array
Short_String
Transmit Mode Output data for the module that is being defined. String
Array
Data Format Module data format transferred between module and controller. Integer
20 (default)
Channel Parameters Maximum number of characters that the ASCII module expects to receive and transmit. 1…127
(1) The range of available choices varies by module type.
(2) In Listen Only connection, the controller and module establish communication without the controller sending any configuration or output data to the module. A full input data connection is established
but depends on the connection between the owner-controller and the module.

Connection Category

The Connection category lets you complete the following tasks:

• Set the RPI rate. For more information about the RPI, see Requested
Packet Interval on page 10.
• Inhibit the module. For more information on how to inhibit the module,
see Module Inhibiting on page 12.
• Configure whether a connection failure while the controller is in Run
mode causes a major or minor fault.
• Configure whether to use a Unicast connection over the EtherNet/IP
network.

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 Chapter 2 Configure the ASCII Module

The Module Fault area of the Connection category shows a description that includes
an error code that is associated with the specific fault type.

Module Info Category

The Module Info category displays module and status information about the
module when the project is online. You can use this category to complete the
following:
• Identify the module identification information
• Access module status information
• Determine the system configuration and identity of the module
• Refresh the data on the screen
• Reset the module

Configuration Category

The Configuration category lets you complete the following tasks:

• Set the Baud rate. For more information about the baud rate, see
Parameter List on page 25.

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Chapter 2 Configure the ASCII Module

• Set the data bits, stop bits, and parity in data character frames. For more
information about data character frames, see Parameter List on page 25.
• Configure serial port receive and transmit data modes and delimiters.
For more information about receive and transmit data settings, see
Parameter List on page 25.

Advance Format Configuration Category

The Advance Format Configuration category lets you complete the following
tasks:
• Set the receive and transmit data swap bytes modes. For more
information about Swap Bytes modes, see Set Up and Use the Swap Bytes
Mode on page 28.
• Set the receive and transmit handshake modes. For more information
about Handshake modes, see Produce Immediate and Master/Slave
Handshake Option on page 12.
• Enable or disable Pad Mode. For more information about pad mode, see
Pad and No Pad Option on page 12.
• Define the receive pad character. For more information about pad
characters, see Pad and No Pad Option on page 12.

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 Chapter 2 Configure the ASCII Module

View the Module Tags When you create a module, the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application creates
a set of tags that you can view in the Controller Tags. Each configured feature
on your module has a distinct tag that is available for use in the controller
program logic.

Complete the following steps to access the module tags.

1. In the Controller Organizer, right-click Controller Tags and choose Monitor

Tags.

The Controller Tags dialog box appears with data.

2. To view module tags as shown, click the symbols.

For more information on module tags, see Module Tag Definitions on page 23.

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Notes:

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 Chapter 3

Module Tag Definitions

Topic Page
Tag Name Conventions 23
Access the Tags 24
Configuration Assembly 24
POINT I/O Parameters 25
Receive Serial Data from the ASCII Device 27
Transmit Serial Data to the ASCII Device 30

Module tags are created when you add a module to the Studio 5000 Logix
Designer application project.

The set of module tags that are associated with a module depends on the
module type and Module Definition choices that are made during module
configuration. For example, if you use a Listen Only Connection in the Module
Definition, the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application creates only Input tags
for that module.

The following types of tags are available with POINT I/O modules:
• Configuration
• Input
• Output

The tables contained in this section list all tags available with a module. Not all
tags in the list are used when that module type is added to a project. Tag use
varies by module configuration.

Tag Name Conventions The module tag names use defined naming conventions. The conventions are
as follows:

Example tag name = AENTR_IP85:1:I.Data

• AENTR_IP85 = name of the POINT I/O EtherNet/IP adapter in the
POINT I/O system.
• 1 = slot number
• I = tag type
The possible POINT I/O analog module tag types are C (configuration),
I (input), and O (output).
• Data = tag function
In this case, Data represents the input data that is returned to the owner-
controller.

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Chapter 3 Module Tag Definitions

Access the Tags You view tags from the Configuration Tags.
1. Open your Studio 5000 Logix Designer application project.
2. Right-click Controller Tags and choose Monitor Tags.

3. Open the tags as necessary to view specific tags.

Configuration Assembly The ASCII modules support a configuration assembly that is accessed through
the Assembly Object (Class 4), Instance 103. The configuration assembly is
18 bytes.

Table 7 - Configuration Assembly

Byte Parameter Parameter Instance(1)
0 ASCII Serial Character Format 1
1 ASCII Serial Comm Speed 2
2 ASCII Max Number of Receive Characters 3
3 ASCII Receive Record Start Mode 4
4 ASCII Receive Start Delimiter 5
5 ASCII Receive Record End Mode 6
6 ASCII Receive End Delimiter 7
7 ASCII Receive String Data Type 8
8 ASCII Pad Mode 9
9 ASCII Pad Character 10
10 ASCII Receive Swap Mode 11
11 Ethernet Handshake Mode 12
12 ASCII Max Number of Transmit Characters 17

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 Chapter 3 Module Tag Definitions

Table 7 - Configuration Assembly (Continued)

Byte Parameter Parameter Instance(1)
13 ASCII Transmit End Delimiter Mode 18
14 ASCII Transmit End Delimiter Character 19
15 ASCII Consume String Data Type 20
16 ASCII Transmit Swap Mode 21
17 Ethernet Record Header Mode 22
(1) See Table 8.

POINT I/O Parameters Use the information in Table 8 to configure your ASCII module parameters.
Table 8 - Parameter List
Parameter
Parameter Access Description Parameter Choices Default Setting Default Value Data Type
Instance
Serial Port Parameters
0 = 7N2 5 = 8E1
Defines the number of data 1 = 7E1 6 = 8O1
Serial Character Framing 1 Get/Set bits, stop bits, and parity in 2 = 7O1 7N2 0 USINT
7 = 7E2
data character frames 3 = 8N1 8 = 7O2
4 = 8N2
Defines the communication 01 ==12009600 3 = 4800
Serial Port Comm Speed 2 Get/Set 4 = 19.2k 9600 baud 0 USINT
rate of the serial port 2 = 2400 5 = 38.4k
Serial Port Receive from ASCII Device
Maximum number of
characters the 1734-
Max Number of Receive 3 Get/Set 232ASC module expects to 1…128 20 chars 20 USINT
Chars receive into its ASCII port
from the serial device
Selects whether the start 0 = No Start Delimiter
Receive Record Start Mode 4 Get/Set delimiter is included with 1 = Exclude Start Delimiter No Start Delimiter 0 USINT
the receive data 2 = Include Start Delimiter
Character that identifies Any valid standard ASCII
the beginning of the data character (0…127, 0…255)
Receive Start Delimiter 5 Get/Set string from the ASCII device Dependent on number of bits Colon 0x3A USINT
when the length is chosen.
specified as 0
Selects whether the End 0 = No End Delimiter
Include End
Receive Record End Mode 6 Get/Set delimiter is included with 1 = Exclude End Delimiter 2 USINT
Delimiter
the received data 2 = Include End Delimiter
Character that identifies
the end of the data string Any valid standard ASCII Dhex
Receive End Delimiter 7 Get/Set Carriage return USINT
from the ASCII device when character (0…127, 0…255)
the length is specified as 0
Send (Produce) over Ethernet to Master
0 = Array
Defines the format of the
Receive String Data Type 8 Get/Set 1 = Short_String Short_String 1 USINT
data string to the master
2 = String
Indicates whether to pad
the invalid data region after
the delimiter with the pad 0 = Pad Mode Disabled
Pad Mode 9 Get/Set Enabled 1 USINT
character, or to use 1 = Pad Mode Enabled
variable length I/O
responses
Value to use to pad the Any valid standard ASCII
Pad Character 10 Get/Set invalid data portion of the NULL 0 USINT
character (0…127, 0…255)
poll response
If enabled, the position of 0 = Disabled
the bytes in the serial 1 = 16 bit Swap Enabled
Receive Swap Mode 11 Get/Set Disabled 0 USINT
messages is swapped 2 = 24 bit Swap Enabled
every 2, 3, or 4 3 = 32 bit Swap Enabled

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Chapter 3 Module Tag Definitions

Table 8 - Parameter List (Continued)

Parameter
Parameter Access Description Parameter Choices Default Setting Default Value Data Type
Instance
If enabled, master must
acknowledge it is ready for
Master/Slave Handshake 0 = Master/Slave Handshake Produce
12 Get/Set next new data before 1734- 1 USINT
Mode 1 = Produce Immediate Immediate
232ASC module sends the
new data.
Total number of bytes of I/O
data that are sent to the
20 bytes of array
master from the 1734-
Produce Assembly Size 13 Get 5…132 data and 4 24 USINT
232ASC module. This header bytes
should be the RX size of
your scanner.
Serial data in the receive Any data string 0…128 bytes Empty
Serial Data 14 Get Empty SHORT_STRING
buffer long
Number of characters in
Receive Data Size 15 Get 0…128 0 0 USINT
the receive data buffer
The receive record number
Receive Record Number 16 Get/Set 0…255 0 0 USINT
sent from the master
Serial Port Transmit to ASCII Device
Maximum number of
characters the 1734-
Max Number of Transmit 14hex
17 Get/Set 232ASC module expects to 1…128 20 chars USINT
Chars transmit out its serial port
to the serial device
Selects whether the End 0 = No End Delimiter
Transmit End Delimiter 18 Get/Set delimiter is included with 1 = Exclude End Delimiter Include 2 USINT
Mode the received data 2 = Include End Delimiter
Character that identifies
the end of the transmit Any valid standard ASCII
Transmit End Delimiter Dhex
19 Get/Set data string from Ethernet to character (0…127 with 7-bit Carriage return USINT
Character the ASCII device when the data, 0…255 with 8-bit data)
length is specified as 0
Consume over Ethernet from Master
Defines the format of the 0 = Array Short_
Consume String Data Type 20 Get/Set data string that is received 1 = Short_String 1 USINT
String
from the master 2 = String
If enabled, the position of 0 = Disabled
the bytes in the serial 1 = 16 bit Swap Enabled
Transmit Swap Mode 21 Get/Set Disabled 0 USINT
messages is swapped 2 = 24 bit Swap Enabled
every 2 bytes or 4 bytes 3 = 32 bit Swap Enabled
Selects the source of the
event that triggers the 0 = Transmit Handshake Transmit
Transmit Handshake Mode 22 Get/Set 0 USINT
transmission of data over 1 = Transmit Immediate Handshake
the serial link
Total number of bytes of I/O 20 bytes of array
data that are received from
Consume Assembly Size 23 Get 5…132 data and 4 24 USINT
the master. This should be header bytes
the TX size of your scanner.
Serial Port Transmit/Explicit Messages from Configuration Tool
Serial data to be sent to the ASCII Block Data
Transmit Serial Data String 24 Get/Set Empty Empty SHORT_STRING
serial transmit buffer 0…128 bytes long
Transmitted Serial Data Length of the transmit
25 Get/Set 0…128 0 0 USINT
Length serial data
The transmit record
Transmit Record Number 26 Get/Set number of the current 0…255 0 0 USINT
transmit data buffer
The combined status byte 1 = TX FIFO Overflow
for the serial port object, 2 = RX FIFO Overflow
Status 27 Get the receive record object 4 = RX Parity Error No Status 0 USINT
and the transmit record 64 = Handshake Error
object. 128 = New Data Flag

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Receive Serial Data from the The ASCII modules receive a number of characters and transmit them to the
ASCII Device EtherNet/IP adapter via:
• I/O – poll, COS, or cyclic messages
• Explicit message

The received character string is captured when:

• The specific number of bytes defined (Receive Character Buffer Length)
is received, or
• The defined End-of-String Terminator character is detected.

When either of these events occur, the ASCII modules store the received
message string into its internal buffer and then transmits (produce) it onto
Ethernet at the next appropriate opportunity.

Set Up the Receive Character Buffer Length

The Receive Character Buffer Length is the number of characters that the
ASCII modules can receive from your I/O device into its buffer at one time.

If the module receives more characters than the Receive Character Buffer
Length, it internally generates an overflow and forces the data into the ASCII
module transmit buffer to be sent to the adapter. The subsequent received
characters are then received into the buffer and are handled at the start of the
next incoming message string. The overflow bit in the status byte is set as well.

IMPORTANT Incoming characters could be missed in the process of handling a string

longer than the defined max length.
This value can be set and retrieved by using the standard set and get
services on Class 15 (Fhex), Instance 3, Attribute 1.

Set Up and Use Pad Mode

Pad Mode operation adds extra characters to the end of its received data string
(after the delimiter character). These characters are added by the module to the
received characters from the external I/O device before sending to the
controller.

The quantity that is added is such that the data string that is returned to the
scanner is always a constant length, and that length is the number that is
specified in the maximum Receive Character Length parameter plus the 4-byte
header. The quantity of pad characters that are sent can vary from message to
message, depending upon the size of the incoming string.

Pad Mode Selection

Pad Mode allows for compatibility with scanners that cannot receive variable
length I/O messages. For such scanners, you must turn Pad mode ON (a value
of 1). Turning Pad mode ON does not harm Scanners that do support variable
length receive messages.

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Chapter 3 Module Tag Definitions

The default value for Pad Mode is ON. If your scanner does support variable
I/O messaging lengths, you can turn OFF the Pad Mode option (a value of 0) to
conserve some network bandwidth.

The selection of Pad Mode is valid only for the Ethernet message that the ASCII
module produces. It has no effect on Ethernet messages that are sent from the
scanner to the ASCII module. This value can be set and retrieved by using the
standard set and get services on Class 15 (Fhex), Instance 9, Attribute 1.

Pad Mode Character

The ASCII modules allow you to specify the character that Pad Mode uses to
pad the received serial data. This can be set to any valid I/O value (0…127 in 7-
bit modes, 0…255 in 8-bit modes). This value can be set and retrieved by using
the standard set and get services on Class 15 (Fhex), Instance 10, Attribute 1.

Set Up and Use the Swap Bytes Mode

This option is helpful if the ASCII module is connected to a controller that

organizes the data string characters into data type elements that are larger
than 1 byte each. In such cases, the bytes of the data in the master’s memory
organization can be reversed from the order in which they are sent or received
in the controller’s serial link to the ASCII device. This can cause errors in some
cases. Thus, the received string “ABCDEFGH” may appear in memory as
“BADCFEHG” for 2-byte word organization, and “DCBAHGFE” for 4-byte word
organization.

Transmit Byte Swapping

By setting Parameter 21 (Class Fhex, Instance 21, Attribute 1), the ASCII module
swaps the bytes from the master before transmitting the string to the ASCII
device.

To swap bytes from the master, set the Byte Swap mode from the Transmit
Data section of the Advance Format Configuration Category. See Advance
Format Configuration Category on page 20.

Receive Byte Swapping

By setting Parameter 11 (Class Fhex, Instance 11, Attribute 1), the ASCII module
reorders the bytes received from your ASCII device before sending the string
to the master.

To swap bytes received from the ASCII device, set the Byte Swap mode from
the Receive Data section of the Advance Format Configuration Category. See
Advance Format Configuration Category on page 20.

Maximum Number of Receive Characters Parameter Rules for Usage

• Swap Bytes Mode is set for transmit and receive independently.
• The byte swapping works best if the max RX and TX lengths are
multiples of the byte-swap size.

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Set Up and Use Delimiter Operation

When receiving data strings from your serial device, the ASCII module can
take advantage of both Start and Stop (End) delimiters. The Start Delimiter is
the start-of-string indicator and the End Delimiter is the end-of-string
indicator.

When you select Start Delimiter operation, you define a character that
prompts the ASCII module to start storing the incoming data string. All
characters up to this Start Delimiter (after the previous message was
completed) are ignored. Once the Start Delimiter is received, all characters are
stored until either the End Delimiter is received or the
Max_Receive_Char_Length is reached. Once the End Delimiter is reached, the
data string is updated and the ASCII module ignores all subsequent data until
the start delimiter is received again.

If either delimiter is used, you can also elect whether to include those
characters in the data string. If the start delimiter mode is set to Disabled, then
the ASCII module always adds data to the string.

Receive String Data Type

Receive String Data Type is the format of the data – Array, Short_String, or
String. Which one you choose depends on your application, and modifies the
format of the header field in the data string.

The Array data type does not have a length that is associated with it. It is
equivalent to specifying a length of zero using a String or Short_String data
type.

The Short_String data type is the default data type of the device. This suffices
for most applications. The Short_String data type value has only 1 byte of
length, and the rest of the data bytes are appended after the length.

The String data type value has 2 bytes of length. The String data type is useful
in communicating to some controllers or other devices that have a data file
made to handle this data type. The length is little-endian (low byte, high byte),
and the high-order byte is always set to zero. The ASCII module receives up to
128 bytes of information, so the extra byte, although required for this data type,
is always 0.
Table 9 - Receive Data Format — Array Data Type
Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5-X Byte X+1 (Max = 132)
Receive Record Number Status Byte Reserved Reserved ASCII Data (max 128 bytes) <CR> (Terminator)

Table 10 - Receive Data Format — Short_String Data Type

Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5-X Byte X+1 (Max = 132)
Receive Record Number Status Byte Reserved Length ASCII Data (max 128 bytes) <CR> (Terminator)

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Table 11 - Receive Data Format — String Data Type

Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5-X Byte X+1 (Max = 132)
Receive Record Number Status Byte Length (Low Byte) Length (High Byte) ASCII Data (max 128 bytes) <CR> (Terminator)

Status Byte Description

The Serial Status, shown in Table 12, byte is an OR’d bit field of a number of
status and exception flags.

Table 12 - Serial Status Byte

Bit Exception
0 TX Buffer Overflow
1 RX Buffer Overflow
2 RX Parity Error
6 Handshake Error
7 New Data Flag

TX Buffer Overflow (Bit 0)

The transmit queue has overflowed resulting in a loss of data. The transmit I/O
is full of data waiting to be transmitted. Some of the data added has been lost.
When space becomes available in the TX, this bit is reset.

RX Buffer Overflow (Bit 1)

The receive queue has overflowed resulting in a loss of data. The receive is full
of data waiting to be processed. The data has been lost. When space becomes
available in the RX, this bit is reset.

RX Parity Error (Bit 2)

This bit is set if a parity error is detected on the received data.

Handshake Error (Bit 6)

This error occurs only in Master-Slave Handshake Mode. It indicates that the
master has requested a new data record from the ASCII module, but the ASCII
module has not indicated new data is available to be sent.

New Data (Bit 7)

This bit is used only when the Master-Slave Handshake option is active. When
the ASCII module receives a new data string into its serial port, it sets this flag
in its response message. The bit remains set until the master changes the
Receive Record Number in its produced data.

Transmit Serial Data to the To transmit data to your serial device, the data must first be sent to the ASCII
ASCII Device module and then the ASCII module must send the data to the serial device.

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The ASCII module transmits a number of characters from the controller to

your serial device using:
• I/O messages
• Explicit messages

The character string is transmitted to your serial device when:

• The specific number of bytes defined (Transmit Character Buffer
Length) is reached, or
• The defined End-of-String Terminator character is detected and active.

When either of these events occur, the ASCII module stores the string data
into its internal buffer and then transmits it out its serial port.

Set Up the Transmit Character Buffer Length

The Transmit Character Buffer Length is the number of characters that the
ASCII module can receive in its transmit buffer from the controller.

Set Up and Use the Transmit Delimiter

The Transmit Delimiter is an end-of-string character that determines how

many bytes to transmit over the serial link to your ASCII device.

IMPORTANT This Transmit Delimiter is used only if the length is 0. If this length is not
0, the ASCII module ignores the transmit delimiter and sends the defined
number of characters.

The ASCII module transmits up to and (optionally) including the delimiter

when the above condition is met. The Transmit Delimiter can be set to any
valid binary value. Be careful not to set the delimiter to a value outside of the
valid range for your data bits. A data bit size setting of 7 only allows you a
delimiter range of 0…127 dec., 00…7Fhex.

If the length is 0 and if you do not have a valid delimiter in your string, the
module sends all data characters from the I/O field to your serial device.

Transmit String Data Assemblies

Transmit String Data Assemblies are the formats of the data you send from the
ASCII module – Array, Short_String, or String – to the controller. Which one
you choose depends on your application, and modifies the format of the data
field.
Table 13 - Transmit Data Format — Array Data Type
Byte X+1
Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5-X (Max = 132)
Next Transmit Record Number Transmit Record Number ASCII Data End of String Delimiter or
Reserved Reserved
(Handshake Mode Only) (max 128 bytes) Last Data Byte

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Table 14 - Transmit Data Format — Short_String Data Type

Byte X+1
Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5-X (Max = 132)
Next Transmit Record Number Transmit Record Number ASCII Data End of String Delimiter or
Reserved Length
(Handshake Mode Only) (max 128 bytes) Last Data Byte

Table 15 - Transmit Data Format — String Type

Byte X+1
Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5-X (Max = 132)
Next Transmit Record Number Transmit Record Number ASCII Data End of String Delimiter or
Length (LSB) Length (MSB)
(Handshake Mode Only) (max 128 bytes) Last Data Byte

Transmit Handshake or Transmit Immediate Mode

This option defines when the ASCII module transmits data out of the serial
port. Transmit Handshake mode is used primarily in Polled I/O to help prevent
the ASCII module from repeatedly sending its data buffer to the serial device
each time an I/O command is received.

With Transmit Handshake active (default), the master changes the Transmit
Record Number value in the message header whenever it wants the ASCII
module to send a serial string to the target serial device. The module monitors
the second byte (Transmit Record Number) of the Poll command or explicit
message to determine whether the consumed data from the controller is to be
transmitted out of the serial port.

The module does not transmit the command data until it receives a new
Transmit Record Number value. Upon sensing a change in value of the
Transmit Record Number, the module transmits the data. It initiates one serial
transmission for each change in the Transmit Record Number value,
regardless of the data string value.

In Transmit Immediate mode, the ASCII module ignores the Transmit Record
Number value and initiates a new serial port transmission with each message
that is received from the controller. This technique can be useful when the
target ASCII device is not affected by receiving the same data multiple times
and operates quickly enough so that message overflows do not occur. This
option is most useful with explicit messages.

A transmission of the serial data from the ASCII module to your ASCII device
is initiated in two ways. If an I/O connection is used, serial data is sent from
the controller to the ASCII module based on the RPI rate set.
• In Transmit Handshake Mode, changing the transmit record number
always initiates a transmission on the network. Even if you do not set
new data into the data string, the old data is transmitted.
• In Transmit Immediate Mode, the ASCII module transmits data out of
its serial port every time it receives an I/O command or explicit message
to its transmit buffer or changes the transmit record number.

32 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Chapter 3 Module Tag Definitions

ATTENTION: An I/O message is repeatedly sent and generates internal

writes to Class 71, Instance 1, Attribute 3. This causes you to send large
amounts of data to your device and can cause TX Buffer Overflows. You
may experience corrupted data and improper information that is sent to
your serial device when using data only mode with I/O messaging.

ATTENTION: You should take care when activating Transmit Immediate

mode while I/O Polling is active. In this mode of operation, the module
continuously transmits serial data to the target serial device. If the data
string represents a command message to your target device, these
actions could result in unintended mis-operation of your device or system.

Transmit Serial Data

The length of the string that is sent determines the use of a delimiter in
transmitting data to a serial device from the ASCII module.
• If the string length is zero (as dynamically defined by the third and
fourth bytes in the message header), or if the data type is Array:

The ASCII module receives data that is sent from the controller and uses
the delimiter to determine how much data is sent to the serial device. The
ASCII module computes the length and then stores this as the new length
in the string attribute. This does not show up if the data type is Array, you
only see the string that is truncated, and the length is in the background.
• If the string length > 0 or the data type is String or Short_String:

The ASCII module receives data that is sent from the controller ignoring
any embedded terminator. It stores the number of characters that are
defined in Max_Number_of_Transmit_Chars, or the total that is sent by
the master, whichever is less.

The ASCII module sends the information immediately in Transmit Immediate

mode. You can always transmit the data by changing the Transmit Record
Number.

Produce Immediate or Master/Slave Handshake Mode

Selecting the mode option defines when the ASCII module sends new data to
the controller.

In Produce Immediate mode (default), there is no gating by the ASCII module

of data that is sent from the ASCII module to the controller. The module sends
its most current serial port data to the master in response to each Poll
command or explicit message, or in response to a COS or Cyclic event. It is the
master’s responsibility to be ready to accept and process new data strings as
they are received.

In Master/Slave Handshake mode, the ASCII module refrains from updating

the new ASCII data until the master requests it. This technique is useful when
the master must ensure that some specific actions take place before receiving
the new serial data.
Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 33
Chapter 3 Module Tag Definitions

IMPORTANT Master/Slave Handshake mode is only available if the Transmit

Immediate mode is also active.

When Master/Slave Handshake mode is active, two data fields in the message
headers are used to initiate and complete the transaction:
• The New Data Available Flag is set in the Serial Status byte of the ASCII
Poll response message.

This informs the master that a new data string is received and the
module is waiting for the OK from the master to send it.
• The next Transmit Record Number is updated by the master to the ASCII
module that it is now ready to receive the new data string.
Table 16 - ASCII Modules Consume Assembly Message with Handshake Mode (Short_String)
Byte 1 Byte 2 Byte 3 Byte 4 Byte 5-X Byte X+1 (Max = 132)
Next Transmit Record Number Transmit Record Number Reserved Length ASCII Data (max 127 bytes) End of String Delimiter or Last Data Byte
(Handshake Mode Only)

The master monitors the new data flag and when the master is ready to receive
new serial data, it sets a new number in the new Receive Record Number of the
I/O message. This applies only to data being sent from the ASCII module to the
master.

The operation proceeds as follows:

• The ASCII module receives a new data string.
• The ASCII module sets the New Data Flag in the Status byte of its next
produce message.
• When the master is ready to receive the new data string, it changes the
next Transmit Record Number to any value different than what it had
been sending.
• The ASCII module sends the new data when the next Transmit Record
Number changes. The ASCII module resets the new data available bit.
• If the next Transmit Record Number changes, and the module has no
new data, it sets the Handshake Error bit in its Produce Status byte.
You can set the next Transmit Record Number to any value. It may reflect the
Receive Record Number that is sent from the module, if desired, or any other
meaningful number. The ASCII module only looks for a change from the value
since it set the New Data Flag.

34 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Chapter 4

Diagnostics

Interpret Status Indicators Use the status indicators to help you troubleshoot any problems with your
ASCII modules.
RS-232 RS-485

Module status
Module
Status Module status
Network status
Network Network status
Status NODE:
NODE:

1734 RS485
232ASC / 422
ASCII
TxD
TxD

RxD
RxD

1734 1734
232ASC 485ASC

Table 17 - Module Status Indicators

Indication Probable Cause
Module Status
Off No power applied to device.
Green Device operating normally.
Device needs commissioning due to configuration missing, incomplete, or
Flashing green incorrect.
Flashing red Recoverable fault.
Red Unrecoverable fault may require device replacement.
Flashing red/green Device is in self-test.

Table 18 - Network Status Indicators

Indication Probable Cause
Network Status
Device is not online.
Off - Device has not completed dup_MAC_id test.
- Device not powered - check module status indicator.
Flashing green Device is online but is not allocated to a master.
Green Device online and has connections in the established state.
Flashing red One or more I/O connections in timed-out state.
Critical link failure - failed communication device. Device detected error that
Red helps prevent it communicating on the network.

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 35

Chapter 4 Diagnostics

Table 19 - Transmit/Receive Indicators

Indication Probable Cause
Transmit/Receive Status
Check wiring, ground, and RX connection. User parameter object to view record
Flashing transmit/off receive numbers.
Check wiring. Watch TX light. If it does not flash, check that you are properly
initiating transmission. Use EDS parameter object to try transmitting and watch
Flashing receive/off transmit the light. If it flashes, you are not properly initiating transmission via I/O
messaging. If it does flash, check the remote device.
Off transmit/green receive Check connections as you may have wired the device backwards.

36 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Appendix A

ASCII Module with ControlLogix System

Application Examples

About These Examples For these application examples, the POINT I/O ASCII modules are used
directly with a CompactLogix 5370 controller over an Ethernet network. The
ASCII modules act as a normal slave to the master scanner. The data that is
sent to and from the scanner contains the ASCII data and some specialty bytes.

Serial Port Connector

The ASCII devices are connected to the ASCII modules via a:

• 3-wire communications cable for the RS-232 network.
• 2-wire communications cable for the RS-485 network.
.
• 4-wire communications cable for the RS-422 network.
Table 20 - Module Terminations
Terminal RS-232 RS-485 RS-422
0 Tx(1) S+(1) Tx+(1)
1 Rx(2) NC Rx+(1)
2 NC S-(2) Tx-(2)
3 NC NC Rx-(2)
4 NC NC NC
5 NC NC NC
6 NC CG CG
7 SG SG SC
(1) S+ and Tx+ are transmit from the module
(2) S- and Rx- are receive into the module

Send Data Through the ASCII Modules

To send data from the master scanner through the ASCII modules, the desired
data should be written into the data area, starting at byte 5 after the header.
Next, the number of bytes to be transmitted should be put into byte 4 of the
header. Lastly, the Transmit Record Number byte 2 must be changed from its
previous value to trigger the transmission (for instance, by incrementing the
ID value by 1 each time a message is to be sent).

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 37

Appendix A ASCII Module with ControlLogix System Application Examples

Receive Data From the ASCII Modules

To receive data from the master scanner through the ASCII modules, look for
the Receive Record Number in byte 1 to change in value. When this happens, a
new data buffer is available for storage. Read the length of the data from byte 4
and copy that number of bytes from the data buffer starting at byte 5 into a file.

Read Data from the ASCII Modules into ControlLogix

For this example, Controller Tags Edit Tags function is used to separate the
header bytes into their own data locations. Figure 1 illustrates that the receive
record number is in AENTR_IP85:1:I.ReceiveRecordNumber and the length is
in AENTR_IP85:1:I.Length. The ASCII data starts in AENTR_IP85:1:I.Data[0].

Figure 1 - Receive Record Number Location in Controller Tags Dialog

In Figure 2 on page 39 the ControlLogix ladder logic checks to see if the receive
record number in AENTR_IP85:1:I.ReceiveRecordNumber has changed from a
previously stored value. If it has changed, the data starting in
AENTR_IP85:1:I.Data[0] is copied to a file and the current receive record
number is stored into a data location.

38 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Appendix A ASCII Module with ControlLogix System Application Examples

Figure 2 - Receive Record Ladder Logic Example

If data is received frequently, we recommend storing the receive data into

some kind of large rotary buffer so as not to overwrite an older packet before it
is decoded.

Transmit Data from ControlLogix Through the ASCII Modules

For this example, Controller Tags Edit Tags function is used to separate the
header bytes into their own data locations. Figure 3 illustrates that the
transmit record number is in AENTR_IP85:1:O.TransmitRecordNumber and
the length is in AENTR_IP85:1:O.Length. The ASCII data starts in
AENTR_IP85:1:O.Data[0].

Figure 3 - Transmit Record Number Location in Controller Tags Dialog

The ladder logic in Figure 4 on page 40 increments a counter every 8 seconds

and then copies the accumulator value of the counter into the Transmit Record

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 39

Appendix A ASCII Module with ControlLogix System Application Examples

Number location AENTR_IP85:1:O.TransmitRecordNumber. When the

counter reaches 255, it is automatically wrapped around to 0.

Figure 4 - Transmit Record Ladder Logic Example

Run the timer for 8 seconds.

Txtimer.DN TON
3 Timer On Delay < EN >
Timer Txtimer < DN >
Preset 8000 
Accum 1339 

Bump up the counter by 1 after timer expires.

Txtimer.DN CTU
4 Count Up < CU >
Counter Txcounter < DN >
Preset 255
Accum 71 

When counter reaches 255 the done bit turns on, so reset accumulator back to 0.
Txcounter.DN MOV
5
Move
Source 0

Dest Txcounter.ACC
71 

Move the accumulator into the Transmit Record Number to trigger a transmission.
MOV
6 Move
Source Txcounter.ACC
71
Dest AENTR_IP85:1:O.TransmitRecordNumber
71 

In the Controller Tags output table shown in Figure 5, the data being
transmitted is already inside the data table starting at AENTR_IP85:1:O.Data
and a constant length of 20 is in AENTR_IP85:1:O.Length. Under normal
conditions, the transmit data and length is loaded by the ladder program
before incrementing the Transmit Record Number.

Figure 5 - Controller Tags Output Table

40 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Index

Numerics configuration 16
assembly 24
1734-232ASC Studio 5000 Logix Designer application
1734-232ASC 7 Connection category 18, 19, 20
1734-485ASC General category 17
1734-485ASC 7 module definition 17
4-byte word organization 28 Module Info category 19
configuration assembly
assembly object 24
A configuration category 19
advance format configuration category 20 configure serial port
Array 18 configuration category 20
receive mode 18 connect 8
Short_String connection
receive mode 18 data 18
transmit mode 18 inhibit the module 18
Array data type 29 listen only 18
ASCII data 37 Unicast 18
ASCII devices 37 Connection category 18
ASCII module module fault 19
ControlLogix examples 37 connection types 10, 18
diagnostics 35 Controller Tag
parameters 25 Record Number
ASCII modules 37 Receive 9, 26, 29, 30
assembly object Transmit 9, 11, 26, 32
configuration assembly 24 tag editor 21, 24
Controller Tag dialog 21
ControlLogix examples 37
B
baud rate D
set 19
Buffer Data
RX overflow 30 new 30
TX overflow 30 data connection 18
buffer length data format
receive character 27 Integer 18
Data only mode 32
data string characters
C data type elements 28
Cable pinouts 8 data swap bytes
cable pinouts 8 advance format configuration 20
catagories data transmission
new module dialog 17 multicast method 10
category data type
advance format configuration 20 Array 29
configuration 19 Short_String 29
Connection 18 String 30
general 17 data type elements
module info 19 data string characters 28
charater data types
pad 12 available with I/O modules 10
choices define module
module definition 23 Studio 5000 Logix Designer application 17
command define pad character 20
Poll 12 Delimiter operation
communication set up 29
communication 8 Diagnostics 35
component description 7 dialog
module components Controller Tag 21
module components 7 module definition

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 41

Index

configuration 17 module definition 18

new module 16 dialog 17
module definition choices 23
module fault
E Connection category 19
electronic keying 13, 18 module identification 19
End-of-String Terminator 27 module info category 19
EtherNet/IP interface 7 reset module 19
example tag name 23 module parameters 25
Examples module series
ControlLogix 37 definition 18
module tag names 23
module tags 23
G naming 23
general viewing 21
category 17
general category 17
general tab N
module properties dialog 17 naming conventions
module tag names 23
New data 30
H new module dialog 16
Handshake catagories 17
error 30 No pad mode 12
handshake no pad option 12
set 20
transmit 11
Handshake mode 12, 33 O
handshake mode Operating mode
advance format configuration 20 selections 11
option
no pad 12
I pad 12
identification Overflow
module 19 RX buffer 30
Immediate mode 12, 33 TX buffer 30
incoming string size 27 overflow bit
inhibit module 18 status byte 27
Input data
read serial device 8
Install
P
serial network 8 pad character 12
Integer data format 18 advance format configuration 20
define 20
Pad mode 12
L character 28
enable 20
listen only connection 18 selection 27
Logix Designer application set up 27
configuration overview 9 pad mode
connection types 10 advance format configuration 20
disable 20
specify character 28
M pad option 12
Mode parameter 11
data only 32 receive byte swap 28
handshake 12, 33 parameter 21
immediate 12, 33 transmit byte swap 28
no pad 12 parameters 18
pad 12 ASCII module 25
set up 27 Parity error
record header 32
module RX 30
identification 19

42 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 Index

Pinouts Set up
cable 8 delimiter operation 29
Poll 12 pad mode 27
Poll command 12 receive character buffer length 27
swap bytes mode 28
transmit character buffer length 31
R transmit delimiter 31
Short_String
Read transmit mode 18
serial device input data 8 Short_String data type 29
Receive size
character buffer length 27 incoming string 27
characters parameter specify character
rules for usage 28
serial data 27 pad mode 28
String data type 29 Status byte
swap bytes 28 description 30
receive character buffer length 27 String
receive messages receive mode 18
variable length 27 transmit mode 18
receive mode String data assemblies
Short_String transmit 31
String 18 String data type 30
Receive Record Number 9, 26, 29, 30 receive 29
Record header 32 Studio 5000 Logix Designer application
reset module Connection category 18, 19, 20
General category 17
module info category 19 module definition 17
RPI Module Info category 19
valid value 10 name module tag 23
RS-232 7 view module tag 21
RS-232 network 7 Swap bytes
RS-422 7 receive 28
RS-422 network 7 transmit 28
RS-485 7 system configuration
RS-485 network 7 module info category 19
RS-422 network 7
RX buffer overflow 30 T
RX parity error 30
tag editor 24
view tags 21
S tag name
example 23
Selecting tags 21
operating mode 11 Transmit
Serial data
character buffer length
receive 27 set up 31
transmit 30, 33 delimiter
Serial device set up 31
read input data 8 serial data 30, 33
serial devices 8 string data assemblies 31
Serial network swap bytes 28
install 8 transmit
serial network handshake 11
serial devices 8 transmit mode
serial port Short_String
configure 20 String 18
set baud rate Transmit Record Number 9, 11, 26, 32
configuration category 19 TX buffer overflow 30
set handshake mode 20
Set module parameters 17
U
Unicast connection 18

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 43

Index

V
variable length receive messages 27

W
word organization
4-byte 28

44 Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

 POINT I/O ASCII Modules User Manual

Rockwell Automation Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022 45

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Publication 1734-UM009C-EN-P - August 2022

Supersedes Publication 1734-UM009B-EN-P - April 2003 Copyright © 2022 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.