Rockwell Automation Publication 1756-RM011A-EN-P - June 2016 11
Chapter 2
Emulation Mode
Emulation Mode Overview
The 8-channel modules that are discussed in the manual refer to any 8-channel
module at firmware revision 2.011 or later. Firmware revision 2.011 and later
supports Emulation mode. This mode allows an 8-channel module to be
configured, return input data and accept output data that acts as if it were a 6-
channel module.
In Emulation mode, when a forward open containing configuration data is sent
to the 8-channel module it can accept it and respond as if it were a 6-channel
module. After the connection is established, all data (input/output) will be
sent to or from the controller in the same format and tag structures as a 6-
channel module. You can directly replace a 6-channel module with an 8-
channel module with no I/O tree modifications or program changes with this
method.
When the 8-channel module receives configuration data for a 6-channel
module, it takes that information and formats it to replicate the configuration
data of an 8-channel module. The 8-channel module then scans its 8-channel
module firmware but reformats all input or output data to match the 6-channel
module.
Additionally, the 8-channel module is internally behaving as an 8-channel
module because most of the firmware has not changed. The difference in 8-
channel module firmware is that in Emulation mode configuration, input data,
and output data is reformatted to match the appropriate 6-channel module.
All data to or from an 8-channel module is rearranged from a 6-channel
module format to an 8-channel module format. The controller still sends data
in the 1756-IF6I format but firmware internally moves data to the 1756-IF8I
format.
1756-IF6I configuration example controller (Figure 1
) still sends data in the
1756-IF6I format, but firmware internally moves data to the 1756-IF8I format
(Figure 2
). An 8-channel module still behaves as an 8-channel module, but
accepts a 6-channel module format.
Topic Page
Emulation Mode Overview 11
Emulation Mode Differences 13
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