Application Scenarios
A system integrator upgrading a packaging line needed to integrate legacy Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS II drives into a new ControlLogix architecture. The drives communicated via SCANport but lacked native ControlNet connectivity. Rather than replacing the drives, the integrator installed a 1203-CN1 on each drive‘s DIN rail, connected the SCANport cable to the drive and the coax trunk to the ControlNet network. The modules allowed the ControlLogix processor to send speed references and receive drive status without replacing the existing motor control centers. Commissioning was completed using RSNetWorx for ControlNet, and the line returned to production without a full electrical retrofit.
In a municipal water treatment plant, a maintenance engineer used a 1203-CN1 to connect an existing SCANport-based soft starter to the plant’s ControlNet backbone. The starter was located in a remote pump house, and running new Ethernet cable was impractical. The 1203-CN1‘s RS-232 port allowed the engineer to configure node addressing and fault actions locally using a laptop. The 24 VDC power was sourced from the existing control panel, simplifying installation. The module’s bi-color LEDs provided clear status indication for network and SCANport activity, reducing troubleshooting time during startup.
Parameters
| Parameter | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Product Model | 1203-CN1 |
| Manufacturer | Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) |
| Product Category | ControlNet Communications Module |
| Network Protocol | ControlNet (5 Mbps, deterministic) |
| SCANport Support | Single device interface |
| Power Supply | 24 VDC |
| Current Consumption | 250 mA |
| Serial Interface | RS-232 (9600 bps default) |
| ControlNet Interface | Coax network port (BNC) |
| Mounting Method | DIN Rail (35 mm) |
| Status Indicators | Bi-color LEDs (Module, Network, SCANport) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 55°C |
| Weight | Approximately 0.26 kg |
| Lifecycle Status | Active Mature |
Technical Principles and Innovative Values
- Innovation Point 1: SCANport to ControlNet protocol bridging. The 1203-CN1 translates drive-specific SCANport data into ControlNet deterministic messaging, allowing legacy drives to participate in modern control architectures without hardware replacement. This preserves capital investment in existing motor control equipment.
- Innovation Point 2: Single-device simplicity. Unlike larger gateway modules that handle multiple devices, the 1203-CN1 focuses on one SCANport device, reducing configuration complexity and per-point cost. Each drive or starter receives its own dedicated ControlNet node address.
- Innovation Point 3: Local configuration via RS-232. The 1203-CN1 includes an RS-232 serial port for direct laptop connection. Parameters such as node address, fault actions, and datalink configuration are set using a terminal program at 9600 bps, eliminating the need for specialized programming hardware.
- Innovation Point 4: Deterministic data exchange. ControlNet uses a time-sliced token-passing mechanism that guarantees I/O data arrives within the configured network update time. The 1203-CN1 respects this timing model, making it suitable for applications where drive synchronization or precise speed control is required.
- Innovation Point 5: Bi-color LED diagnostics. The module’s LEDs provide immediate visual status for module health, network communication, and SCANport activity. Technicians can diagnose connection faults without connecting a programming terminal, reducing mean time to repair.
