7i77 "Software data process modes"

Hi, I am interested in using mode 1 to have torque analog input from my servos drives.
The idea is to have a visual meter for servo load.
I haven't really researched how to implement this yet, but It got me wondering.

What is the purpose of mode 2 which includes "field analog voltage" in?

And, is there any reason to not run mode 3 for all situations, except that you lose the digital inputs 0-3 and 16-19?
I may have MPG's in the future, so I want to leave that option open.
Thanks.

Is that how it works, or are those meters just measurements of Amperage Load? I always thought the latter....

I think the torque and amperage are directly proportional. (not sure)
I was going for a display on the linuxcnc screen with pyvcp, I would guess the physical meters are just ammeters.

There's no reason not to run mode 3 always if you are not pushing the
maximum update rates (there's a time overhead for every data item transferred )

For normal 1KHz servo loops this is a non-issue

if you want a 4 or more KHz servo thread it may start to matter

you dont lose the digital inputs in any mode (well unless you connect analog inputs or MPGs)

Thanks.

Do I need to worry about what "field analog voltage" input is for?
I'm guessing no, but was just curious.

thats just the field voltage so if you have 24V field voltage you would expect to read 24V there
(and if its dropped to 18V or you have a lot of ripple, you can tell)