SST DeviceNet PCI Interface Modules SST-DN3-PCI-2 DN3-PCI-1-E

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

SST Woodward SST-DN3 Series Technical Notes

The SST-DN3 series, developed by SST (a Woodward company), represents a mature and widely deployed family of DeviceNet interface cards designed for PCI-bus host systems. These modules serve as the communication bridge between a PC-based host controller and a DeviceNet fieldbus network, enabling master/scanner and slave/adapter operation across industrial automation environments. The SST-DN3 series has accumulated significant installed base in process industries including chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, nuclear power auxiliary systems, and continuous production facilities where DeviceNet remains the dominant device-level network. The cards are compatible with Allen-Bradley DeviceNet networks and conform to the Open DeviceNet Vendor Association (ODVA) specification, making them interoperable with thousands of DeviceNet-compliant field devices including drives, sensors, and actuators.

The Evolution of SST-DN3 Architecture

The SST-DN3 product line was introduced in the late 1990s as industrial PC platforms transitioned from ISA to PCI bus architectures. The original DN3-PCI-1 (single-channel) and DN3-PCI-2 (dual-channel) cards established the core hardware platform: an onboard Motorola 68331 processor running SST's proprietary firmware, 512KB of dual-port RAM shared with the host, and a dedicated CAN controller for DeviceNet physical layer compliance at 125, 250, and 500 Kbps.

The subsequent -E suffix variants (e.g., SST-DN3-PCI-2, DN3-PCI-1-E) introduced enhanced firmware with expanded I/O data table sizes, improved explicit messaging support, and compatibility with 32-bit Windows driver stacks (WDM model). The PCI-104 form factor variants extended the platform to embedded and rugged computing environments. As 64-bit operating systems became standard, SST released updated driver packages; however, native Windows 10/11 64-bit driver support for legacy DN3 cards is limited, making the -E firmware revision the practical ceiling for most deployed units.

The SST-DN3 series is now in the end-of-life/mature phase. Woodward has not announced a direct PCI-bus successor; migration paths typically involve EtherNet/IP gateway solutions or Rockwell Automation's 1784-PCIDS scanner card. For facilities committed to existing DeviceNet infrastructure, the SST-DN3 remains the most cost-effective scanner platform, and aftermarket supply of tested units is the primary procurement channel.

SST-DN3 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

DeviceNet PCI Scanner / Interface Cards — Dual Channel

• SST-DN3-PCI-2: Dual-channel DeviceNet PCI scanner card, onboard CPU, 512KB dual-port RAM, master/slave capable.
• DN3-PCI-2-E: Enhanced firmware dual-channel PCI scanner; expanded I/O table, WDM driver support, 500 Kbps max.
• SST-DN3-PCI-2-E: OEM-labeled equivalent of DN3-PCI-2-E; identical hardware, SST-branded retail packaging.
• SST-DNPCI-2: Early-generation dual-channel DeviceNet PCI card; ISA-era transition model, 3.3V/5V PCI universal slot.

DeviceNet PCI Scanner / Interface Cards — Single Channel

• DN3-PCI-1: Single-channel DeviceNet PCI scanner; base firmware, master/slave, 125–500 Kbps baud.
• DN3-PCI-1-E: Enhanced single-channel PCI scanner; WDM driver, larger explicit message buffer, ODVA conformance tested.
• SST-DN3-PCI-1: SST-branded single-channel PCI DeviceNet interface; functionally equivalent to DN3-PCI-1.
• SST-DN3-PCI-1-E: SST-branded enhanced single-channel variant; 32-bit WDM driver stack, Windows XP/7 certified.

DeviceNet PCI-104 Form Factor (Embedded / Rugged)

• SST-DN3-104-1: Single-channel DeviceNet PCI-104 card; stackable embedded format, -40°C to +85°C operating range.
• SST-DN3-104-2: Dual-channel DeviceNet PCI-104 scanner; rugged embedded platform, onboard 68331 CPU.
• DN3-104-1-E: Enhanced single-channel PCI-104 DeviceNet card; extended firmware, compatible with PC/104-Plus stacks.

DeviceNet ISA Interface Cards (Legacy / Obsolete)

• SST-DN3-ISA-1: Single-channel DeviceNet ISA bus scanner; 16-bit ISA, legacy DCS workstation integration.
• SST-DN3-ISA-2: Dual-channel DeviceNet ISA scanner; end-of-life, no driver support beyond Windows NT 4.0.

DeviceNet PCMCIA / CardBus (Portable / Laptop Diagnostics)

• SST-DN3-PCMCIA-1: Single-channel DeviceNet PCMCIA Type II card; portable network diagnostics and commissioning tool.
• SST-DN3-CB-1: Single-channel DeviceNet CardBus interface; 32-bit CardBus, laptop-based scanner/sniffer operations.

Software & Configuration Utilities

• SST-DN3-SDK: Software Development Kit for SST-DN3 series; C/C++ API, sample code, Windows 32-bit driver libraries.
• SST-DN3-CFG: SST DeviceNet Configuration Utility; EDS file management, node commissioning, I/O mapping tool.

Quality Control for the SST-DN3 Range

SST-DN3 cards present specific test challenges due to their onboard processor architecture and dual-port RAM interface. DriveKNMS applies the following verification protocol to all SST-DN3 units:

• Physical inspection: PCB trace integrity, PCI edge connector condition, CAN transceiver component check (Philips/NXP PCA82C251 or equivalent).
• Firmware version identification: Boot-time firmware string capture via host diagnostic utility; version logged against unit serial number.
• PCI bus enumeration test: Card installed in verified test bench; Device Manager enumeration confirmed, driver binding verified under Windows 7 32-bit reference environment.
• DeviceNet loopback test: Each channel connected to a known-good DeviceNet node (Allen-Bradley 1769-SDN or equivalent); scanner table population verified at 125, 250, and 500 Kbps.
• Dual-port RAM integrity: Full read/write pattern test across shared memory address space; error-free operation required for pass status.
• Thermal soak: 30-minute operational burn-in at ambient +40°C; post-soak re-test of all channels.