Cost-effective implementation of a MAP network

The ambiguities surrounding the MAP standard as proposed so far have prompted a team at the University of Hull to implement and investigate a multi-station network. In order to comply with universal financial constraints, a low cost solution was identified. In this paper, experiences gained during the implementation stages are described and an evaluation of the performance given. The system demonstrates industrial relevance by using the main components found in an industrial environment: a) a network manager, b) a customer station at which orders can be placed, c) robot workstations representing manufacturing facilities and d) a connection to further networks. Each station was designed independently, with only the basic hardware and communication connections (Layers 1 and 2 of the ISO/OSI standard) common to all. Using minimal hardware to interconnect the systems, a very low cost solution has been demonstrated for a seven layer MAP network. The rate of communication exchange is limited by the simplicity of the hardware but it is adequate for the demands of this simulated shopfloor. This system demonstrates the potential advantages of automated shop-floor communications, even when a low cost implementation of the MAP standard is used.