adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect) asked a question.

Simple one; What defines a "word"?

Created Date: May 15,2013

Created By: Dean

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As in the Directsoft5 free software being limited to 100 words. My guess is: A single contact or coil equals one word? Data as in a CLICK DS address equals one word? Data as in a CLICK DD address equals two words? How about advanced instructions such as compare, math, or drum sequences?


  • adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect)

    Created Date: May 15,2013

    Created by: bcarlton

    In the processor a 'word ' is the chunk of RAM memory which can be accessed in one clock cycle.

    As far as instructions they would be defined interms of the number of those 'chunks ' the actual instruction and its arguments take up.

    The CPUs you mention have 16 bit 'words '. The CPUs in the Allen Bradley ControlLogix line have 32 bit 'words '.

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  • adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect)

    Created Date: May 15,2013

    Created by: franji1

    The PLC opcode words in a DL PLC are 3 bytes long. They typically represent an opcode in the HIBYTE followed by 2 bytes of of "paramter " information. Hence, there is (at least) 1 word per parameter. So, most contacts/coils use 1 word, although some of the more advanced paramters (e.g. bit of word or double constant) take up 2 words.

    Ladder memory "words " must not be confused with data (V memory) words, which are 16 bits wide.

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  • adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect)

    Created Date: May 15,2013

    Created by: Dean

    Thanks folks, that helps my understanding of the concept.

  • adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect)

    Created Date: May 15,2013

    Created by: Dean

    As in the Directsoft5 free software being limited to 100 words. My guess is:

    A single contact or coil equals one word?

    Data as in a CLICK DS address equals one word?

    Data as in a CLICK DD address equals two words?

    How about advanced instructions such as compare, math, or drum sequences?

    Expand Post