I am wondering which mode is going to be more efficient in the following application? I need to send the motor 2 variables from an outside instrument that will be used in the mode code I've written and already uploaded to the motor via SMI. One of the variables is just an integer and the other will be for a switch to control an I/O pin as high or low. The motor will need to accept these variables over and over while running its code (as a never ending loop). I then need it to output position speed information frequently. In command mode I can just send motor commands as are to call information back and initiate motion, but can I pass variables in command mode or do i have to use the data mode and put the variables I want to pass into the buffer?
You should use Command Mode for your application.