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

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

SST Woodward SST-DN3 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

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.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete SST-DN3 Parts

The SST-DN3 series entered end-of-life status progressively from 2015 onward, with ISA variants obsolete since the early 2000s and PCI variants no longer manufactured as of approximately 2018–2020. New old stock (NOS) and professionally refurbished units represent the primary supply channel for facilities requiring like-for-like replacement without system redesign.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for SST-DN3 series components. Sourcing activities include procurement from decommissioned plant assets, OEM surplus channels, and controlled disassembly of tested systems. Each unit undergoes functional verification before listing. For dual-channel variants such as the SST-DN3-PCI-2 and DN3-PCI-1-E, DriveKNMS can provide matched firmware revision pairs to ensure compatibility with existing host driver installations. Long-term maintenance contracts and consignment stocking arrangements are available for facilities with multi-year DeviceNet infrastructure commitments.

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.

Units that fail any stage are quarantined for component-level repair or parts recovery. Test records are retained and available upon request for critical infrastructure procurement.