Frequently Asked Quantum PLC Questions

• Does the QUCM support Unity?
  • The QUCM is fully compatible with Unity processors. A Unity processor can be programmed through the Ethernet and serial ports. QRPCTCP version 01Aug2008 is required for Ethernet Unity programming.
  
  
• Which NOE do I choose for the QUCM to emulate?
  • The NOE-771-00 should be choosen in Unity Pro, Concept, or ProWorx when the QUCM or QRPC is operating in Option mode. Configure the IP Address and I/O Scanner information as if the QUCM were the NOE.
  
  
• What are the differences between the QUCM models?
  • QUCM-OE
    • The QUCM-OE is the Ethernet enabled model. This unit can be used as an Option module as well as an I/O module. The Option module option allows the QUCM to directly communicate with the PLC directly across the backplane and thus access any value in the PLC. QUCM-OEs running QRPCTCP may now be used as a replacement for the NOE-771 series with many added features.
    • The QUCM-OE is completely backwards compatible with the QUCM-LE and QUCM-SE and will run any program developed for the previous models.
    • The QUCM-OE has a faster processor (25MHz) than the QUCM-LE or QUCM-SE (16MHz).
    • The QUCM-OE has a hardware real-time clock.
    • The QUCM-OE runs QUCMTCPL firmware.
  • QUCM-O is the same as the QUCM-OE without the Ethernet port.
  • QUCM-LE
    • The QUCM-LE was the replacement for the QUCM-SE with the big difference being switchable RS-232 and RS-485 serial ports.
    • The QUCM-LE is completely backwards compatible with the QUCM-SE and will run any program developed for the previous model.
    • The QUCM-LE also has more RAM and FLASH ROM so larger programs are possible. Many newer applications have been developed for the QUCM-LE that will not run in older QUCM-SE units.
    • The QUCM-SE runs QUCMTCPL firmware.
  • QUCM-L is the same as the QUCM-LE without the Ethernet port.
  • QUCM-SE
    • The QUCM-SE has fixed RS-232 serial ports.
    • The QUCM-SE has smaller memory than the QUCM-LE or QUCM-OE so it may not run all custom applications developed for the other products.
    • The QUCM-SE runs QUCMTCPS firmware.
  • QUCM-S is the same as the QUCM-SE without the Ethernet port.
  
  
• Can the QUCM be used as an NOE?
  • The new QUCM-OE may be used as an Option module in the local Quantum PLC rack.
  • Configure the slot as an NOE-771-00 in the PLC programming sofware.
  • The QUCM-OE will read the Config Extensions from the PLC to set its IP Address and I/O Scanner.
  • The QUCM-OE adds many new MSTR commands to allow the PLC to read 0x, 1x, and 3x registers and write 0x coils in remote devices. Previous MSTRs could only read and write 4x remote registers.
  • The QUCM-OE can also use MSTRs to communicate with serial devices. Multiple protocol modes are available for the serial ports including Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, SY/MAX, Net-to-Net, PNIM, RNIM, Idec, and others.
  • The QUCM-O may be used as a serial option module to allow the PLC to communicate with external slaves or masters.
  
  
• What Ethernet cables are requred?
  • The QUCM-OE, QUCM-LE, and QUCM-SE all have a standard RJ-45 10BaseT Ethernet port. A standard CAT5 cable is used to connect the Ethernet port to a hub or switch. Other media converters may be required to connect to coax or fiber networks.
  
  
• What serial cables are requred?
  • The serial ports on the QUCM-OE and QUCM-LE are standard RJ-45 Modicon style switchable RS-232 or RS-485. The QUCM-SE ports are fixed at RS-232 but share the same pinout as the QUCM-LE. The MM1 is the standard RS-232 cable to connect a PC comm port to a QUCM port.
  
  
• How is the firmware updated?
  • A special program caled RPCLOAD.EXE is used to update the firmware for units running QRPCTCP. This program is included in the QUCM_SETUP.EXE file.
  • The Windows GUI program QLOAD is used to update the firmware in the QUCM for applications not running QRPC. QLOAD is included in the QUCM_SETUP.EXE file. After starting the program browse for QUCMTCPL.QCC for QUCM-O, -OE, -L, or -LE models or QUCMTCPS.QCC for QUCM-S or -SE models. This program is to be loaded into Application 1 and set for auto-start. Normally, the QUCM's internal Modbus/TCP server is configured for TCP port 503. After the download is complete, the firmware program installs itself and reboots the module within 20 seconds. The normal application 1 file must then be reloaded into the QUCM.
  
  
• How is the IP Address set?
  • The QUCM-OE and QUCM-O support Config Extensions from the PLC and will set their IP address from the Processor.
  • The QUCM-OE and QUCM-O may be configured using special MSTR commands from the PLC program.
  • Any QUCM running QRPCTCP may also be configured via DHCP or BOOTP from an external server.
  • All QUCMs now default to the address 10.10.10.10 and a similar address may be configured for a PC to allow RPCSW32.EXE or ZAPREG32 to access the card and change the IP Address.
  • All QUCMs may be configured via either of the serial ports.
  
  
• Can the QUCM be run stand-alone?
  • Yes, any QUCM may be mounted in a QXBP single-slot rack and power supply for operation without a Quantum PLC or large rack.
  
  

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