May 4, 2010 - The Anybus X-gateway from HMS Industrial Networks is a configurable stand-alone gateway that allows plant-floor devices on a Profibus network to communicate with the devices on a Modbus-TCP network and vice versa. Typical applications are installations with mixed usage of Siemens and Schneider Electric, ABB or GE PLCs. One example is automobile manufacturing plants where Profibus based segments shall be integrated into industrial Ethernet based control applications with the popular Modbus-TCP protocol. The X-gateway is a compact device for standard DIN rail mounting and 24 Volt industrial power supply. It functions as a server (slave) on the Modbus-TCP network and as a master on the Profibus side.
The Profibus master functionality is configured with HMS´ Anybus NetTool for Profibus, a powerful but easy to use Windows-based configuration tool which comes free with the X-gateway. After the initial configuration has been downloaded into the X-gateway, it passes up to 512 byte of input and 512 byte of output data transparently between Modbus-TCP and Profibus. Up to 124 Profibus slaves can be connected to the gateway. In addition to its data transfer capabilities, the X-gateway incorporates a powerful embedded web server on the Modbus-TCP side which supports web based remote diagnostics and visualization. Even an OPC server is included in the scope of delivery of the X-gateway.
The X-gateway contains Profibus and Modbus-TCP communication interfaces that have been certified for full compliance to the respective protocol standards. The Anybus X-gateway family is a product line consisting of over 200 proven, robust and ready-to-use gateways aimed to connect almost every possible combination of two industrial networks. The product family supports 17 different fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks such as Profibus, DeviceNet, CANopen, CC-Link, EtherNet/IP, Profinet and many more. All versions work the same way and provide a flexible standard solution to connect two industrial networkss. HMS Industrial Networks is the leading independent supplier of embedded network technology for automation devices.
HMS develops and manufactures solutions for interfacing automation devices to industrial networks. Development and manufacturing takes place at the head office in Halmstad, Sweden. Local sales and support is provided by the HMS branch offices in Chicago, Beijing, Karlsruhe, Milan, Mulhouse and Tokyo. HMS employs over 150 people and reported sales of 33 million in 2008. HMS was formed in 1988 and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm in the category Small Cap, Information Technology with ISIN SE0002136242.