FR-50

The FR-50 physical layer repeater is a cost-effective method for extending the distance or increasing the number of nodes on a LonWorks™ XP/FT-10 Free Topology network channel utilizing  any type of Free Topology Transceiver (FT 3120, FT 3150, FT-5000, FTT-10A) or Link Power (LPT-10 ) transceiver. The FR-50 receives LonTalk™ packets from one channel segment and then passes them immediately to another channel segment. A repeater does not perform any routing, switching or filtering of LonTalk packets and will not increase the bandwidth of a network segment by reducing unnecessary network traffic. The benefit is that a repeater does not need to be commissioned in a LON™ network and therefore reduce the installation and commissioning time.

The FR-50 is simple and easy to install. A snap on DIN rail enclosure allows fast mounting of the enclosure. Independent screw-down plug connectors allow the installer to immediately and quickly connect power wiring and the twisted pair wires from the network to each network channel segment. The FR-50 requires no system configuration and can be placed directly into service once proper power is applied. Testing of the network under worst-case traffic conditions while monitoring with a LonManager™ Protocol Analyzer is highly recommended to properly evaluate system performance. LonWorks Routers and/or changing message updates rates on a device can be used to help solve high network traffic congestion problems.

Each network channel segment has a green indicator that is illuminated when a data packet is received. Any packet received on a segment is always immediately transmitted out on the other network channel segments. A green transmit indicator is illuminated when a data packet is being transmitted out the other channel segments by the FR-50.

The FR-50 allows terminating a LON Network to be very simple and less costly. By removing the cover, option jumpers are available to independently set the termination for each network channel segment. The FR-50 provides the proper load impedances for Single Ended, Double Ended, or no termination to meet the requirements of any free topology network channel segment.