JLCooper gBOX User Manual
gBOX
Ethernet to GPI Interface
Users Manual
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gBOX, eBOX and eBOX I/O are trademarks of JLCooper Electronics. All other
brand names are the property of their respective owners.
gBOX User’s Manual, First Edition
Part Number 932126
©2011 JLCooper Electronics, 142 Arena Street, El Segundo, CA 90245 USA
(310) 322-9990 (310) 335-0110 www.jlcooper.com
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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................... 4!
Setup ............................................................................................... 5!
Unpacking ................................................................................... 5!
Connections ................................................................................. 5!
Configuration ................................................................................ 7!
Operating Modes ........................................................................ 7!
Ethernet ................................................................................... 7!
Serial ....................................................................................... 7!
Expander ................................................................................. 7!
Ethernet Interface ....................................................................... 8!
Mode Selection ....................................................................... 8!
Server Mode ............................................................................ 9!
Client Mode .......................................................................... 10!
Serial Interface .......................................................................... 11!
Expander ................................................................................... 11!
gBOX Security ........................................................................... 12!
Technical Reference .................................................................... 13!
Electrical Connections .............................................................. 13!
Ethernet ................................................................................. 13!
Serial ..................................................................................... 14!
GPI Port Pinouts ................................................................... 16!
GPI Port Circuitry Details ..................................................... 17!
Power ............................................................................................ 19!
Troubleshooting .......................................................................... 20!
Care and Service ....................................................................... 21!
Declaration of Conformity ......................................................... 22!
RoHS Statement of Compliance ................................................ 23!
JLCooper Electronics Limited Warranty ................................ 24!
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Introduction
The gBOX is a general purpose interface box that converts up to
48 GPI (General Purpose Interface) inputs and outputs to
100/10baseT Ethernet or a serial interface. Up to 8 gBOXes may
be slaved off a master gBOX to convert up to a total of 432 GPI
inputs and outputs.
The gBOX communicates over standard TCP/IP which allows it be
used with any host computer running any operating system that
uses TCP/IP protocol. The gBOX can also be connected to other
gBOXes to allow longer runs than traditional GPI cables. Since
the gBOX uses TCP/IP, traffic can be routed over internal LANs,
wireless LANs, MANs, WANs and even over the public Internet.
Unit configuration is accomplished using the rear panel DIP
switches.
When the gBOX is outfitted with an Ethernet Interface (JLCooper
p/n 920394) the unit functions as either a server or client. When
configured as a server, it passively waits for client devices to
connect to it. The device can be a computer or another gBOX
configured as a client. When the gBOX is configured as a client, it
will actively attempt to connect to the server gBOX. Once this is
accomplished, the either gBOX will pass data received in the serial
or GPI ports to the remote gBOX. If there is no data received in
the gBOX, the gBOX will not send any TCP packets.
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Setup
Unpacking
The gBOX package will contain the following items:
• gBOX
• Power Supply
• This Users Manual
• Four rubber feet
Connections
The gBOX connections are straightforward:
1. Plug the power supply into the gBOX.
2. Install an Ethernet or serial interface into the interface slot.
3. Connect Ethernet cable or serial cable to unit.
4. Connect GPI cables into GPI ports.
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Pin
Function
Pin
Function
1
Ground
1
Ground
2
GPI 1
2
GPI 25
3
GPI 2
3
GPI 26
4
GPI 3
4
GPI 27
5
GPI 4
5
GPI 28
6
GPI 5
6
GPI 29
7
GPI 6
7
GPI 30
8
GPI 7
8
GPI 31
9
GPI 8
9
GPI 32
10
GPI 9
10
GPI 33
11
GPI 10
11
GPI 34
12
GPI 11
12
GPI 35
13
GPI 12
13
GPI 36
14
GPI 13
14
GPI 37
15
GPI 14
15
GPI 38
16
GPI 15
16
GPI 39
17
GPI 16
17
GPI 40
18
GPI 17
18
GPI 41
19
GPI 18
19
GPI 42
20
GPI 19
20
GPI 43
21
GPI 20
21
GPI 44
22
GPI 21
22
GPI 45
23
GPI 22
23
GPI 46
24
GPI 23
24
GPI 47
25
GPI 24
25
GPI 48
gBOX Master GPI In/Out Pinout
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Configuration
Operating Modes
Ethernet
When the gBOX has an Ethernet Interface installed, it has two
distinct modes of operation that are set by the rear panel DIP
switches. The modes are:
• Server
• Client
The DIP switches are read only at power on so the gBOX must be
power cycled for the changes to take effect.
Serial
When the gBOX has a serial Interface installed, it has just one
distinct mode of operation. This is GPI to serial conversion.
Expander
When the gBOX has an Ethernet or serial interface installed, it is a
master unit, which communicates directly with another master unit
or a host computer.
When the gBOX does not have an interface installed, it becomes
an Expander gBOX. An Expander gBOX adds 48 additional GPI
Inputs and Outputs to a Master gBOX. An Expander gBOX
connects to a Master gBOX using an Expander cable plugged into
one of the Expander ports on the rear panel. Up to 8 Expander
gBOXes can be added to a master gBOX.
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Ethernet Interface
When MCS-Ethernet Interface is installed, the rear panel DIP
switches on the left side set the IP Address and behavior of the
gBOX.
The rear panel DIP switches on the right side are currently not used
and are ignored.
Mode Selection
When DIP switch 5 on the left side is in the Off position, the
gBOX behaves as a server. That is, the gBOX waits for a device
such as a host computer or client gBOX to establish a connection
to it. Conversely, when DIP switch 5 is in the On position, the
gBOX behaves as a client. That is, the gBOX attempts to connect
to a server device such as a server gBOX to establish a connection
to it.
SW5
Mode
Off
Server
On
Client
Mode Selection of gBOX
Figure 1
CONFIGURATION
1 2 3 4 5 6 O N 1 2 3 4 5 6 O
N
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