November 18, 2016 - Communication specialist HMS Industrial Networks released the second product in their EtherNet/IP Linking Devices family. The EtherNet/IP to Modbus-TCP Linking Device allows users to connect devices on Modbus-TCP to a Rockwell ControlLogix or CompactLogix PLC. Users will benefit from the integration to Rockwell’s Studio5000 Logix Designer, as all configuration is made from inside Studio 5000.
The EtherNet/IP to Modbus-TCP Linking Device makes it possible to include any automation device with Modbus TCP-communication into an EtherNet/IP-based network architecture supporting over 8000 bytes of IO data in total.
Contrary to an in-chassis module which is physically connected to the PLC, the EtherNet/IP to Modbus-TCP Linking Device can be mounted close to the connected devices. This means that it is possible to establish a connection via a single Ethernet cable instead of multiple network specific cables. All EtherNet/IP Linking Devices from HMS support ODVA’s Device Level Ring (DLR) for ring topology.
Users access serial protocol configuration through their existing Studio 5000 software. All configuration is made inside Studio 5000 where there is support for Process Variable Data Tags, as well as manual and automatic generation of named and structured Studio 5000 Controller Tags without any required user logic.
Since the Linking Device operates stand-alone (distributed), it doesn’t affect PLC backplane performance (PLC execution time), even when large amounts of data are transferred. The PLC scans the Linking Device as if it were any other I/O device on the network.
About HMS Industrial Networks
HMS Industrial Networks is an independent supplier of products for industrial communication including remote management. HMS develops and manufactures solutions for connecting automation devices and systems to industrialnetworks under the Netbiter, Anybus and IXXAT brands.