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FAQ
Configuration rules for "10-Mbit shared LAN" (transceivers, OLMs, etc.) Entry ID: Date: 6723317 02/19/2001

QUESTION: Are there configuration rules for transceivers, OLMs etc. in the "10-Mbit shared LAN"? ANSWER: In local networks in compliance with IEEE 802.3, thus when using 10-Mbit components (OLMs, ELMs, Mini-OTDEs, star couplers, transceivers etc.), there are specific configuration rules that must be adhered to. These rules include reserves and are often worst-case observations. This means that even if these rules are violated, communications might still work. These rules are based on the physical and electrical conditions and from the experience gained from system tests. Therefore they should always be adhered to. In local networks in compliance with IEEE 802.3 (OLM system) you must pay attention to the Signal Transmit Times and the so-called Path Variability Value. Signal Transmit Time: The maximum signal transmit time is 4520 meters . The signal transmit time is specified in meters to make calculations easier. This time is a result of the access procedure of the Industrial Ethernet CSMA/CD. If a user accesses the Ethernet bus, it must recognize within a specific time whether another user has accessed the bus at the same time. This only works if both users are not too far away from each other and the electrical signal transmit times are not too long. Not only bus segments, but also the network components between the users delay the signal. Thus for each network component a transmit time equivalent is specified (e.g. OLM (optical fiber<>optical fiber): 260m). Example: The maximum signal transmit time in a configuration of 19 Optical Link Modules (line arrangement, 200m module spacing), two S7-400 CPUs with appropriate communications processors (e.g. CP 443-1) at the end points and 20m Twisted Pair connection line of end users is calculated as follows: Max. signal transmit time = 19 x 260m + 2 x 140m + 2 x 20m + 18 x 200m = 8860m //Transmit time equivalent of the OLM //Transmit time equivalent of the end users (CP 443-1) //Drop cable length //Cable length between OLMs //Result

The maximum signal transmit time is therefore exceeded by far. This might lead to communications problems. Path Variability Value: The maximum Path Variability Value is 40 BT (Bit Times). Data packages are transmitted on the Ethernet bus. These data packages are bit sequences or sequences of rectangular pulses. There must be a certain time space between two consecutive data packages so that the recipient can distinguish between the two data packages. All network components have time fluctuations in letting through the data packages. A network component can let a data package through more or less quickly each time. These time fluctuations are expressed in terms of so-called Bit Times (BT). In a worst-case scenario these bit times of the network components have to be added up. This gives the Path Variability Value that must not exceed the 40 BT described above. The Bit Times of the end users have already been taken into account in this value. Example: For the example with the 19 OLMs this means:

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Max. Path Variability Value

17 x 3BT + 2 x 6BT

// OLM(optical fiber<->optical fiber): 3BT // OLM(optical fiber<->ITP): 6BT //Result

63 BT

Thus not only the maximum signal transmit time is exceeded, but also the maximum Path Variability Value. Solution: The configuration rules for maximum signal transmit time and maximum Path Variability Value apply only for the 10-Mbit LAN (with OLMs, ELMs, SSVs, transceivers) within a specific collision domain. A collision domain is a network segment or network section. Switches and bridges (e.g. OSMs, ESMs) interrupt a collision domain. They work in the (default) mode "Stored" and "Forward", i.e. the receive and store complete messages and forward them to the target segment if they have no errors. Switches can also regenerate complete telegrams and thus keep or restore a correct time space between the data packages. Implementation: One possible solution for the example (19 OLMs in line) would be to add another OLM to the middle station and a switch to be interconnected between them (e.g. ESM). This switch would divide the collision domain into two collision domains. The maximum signal transmit time and the maximum Path Variablility Value would be approximately halved and the configuration rules would therefore be respected. Or instead of the OLM you use the OSM directly. The configuration rules for OSMs are very simple. Two OSMs can be 3000 meters apart and a total of over 50 OSMs can be interconnected in line. Keywords: Configuration notes, System limits

Siemens AG, 1998, 2001

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