Automated I/O Mapping for Modbus-to-PROFIBUS Gateway Configurations

Jan. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Different types of fieldbus protocols have been developed to meet different automation system requirements. As automation systems become larger in scale, they will inevitably consist of different system segments and therefore, require different fieldbus protocols to interface with each segment. As system segments merge and centralized remote control/monitoring become necessary, it is imperative that data transmissions between different fieldbus protocols are as transparent as possible.

With more than 25 million nodes installed worldwide, PROFIBUS is a fieldbus protocol specifically designed for use with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller), and is widely used in automation systems of manufacturing plants. However, large numbers of existing Modbus devices have remained as components of industrial automation systems today because they are simple to use, easy to maintain, and universally supported. Replacing Modbus RTUs with PROFIBUS devices for the deployment of a PROFIBUS network at the central site would not be financially sensible. Therefore, the integration of Modbus and PROFIBUS segments through a gateway can be a very cost-effective solution for automation systems. But before you can properly configure the gateway, a large amount of system and device information needs to be collected.

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For a Modbus-to-PROFIBUS gateway to function as intended, Modbus device requests must first be defined in the gateway. First, the Modbus request parameters must be individually keyed into the gateway manually. The entry of device parameters, such as device IDs and register/coil values must be error-free. A mismatch of any parameter will result in the failure of Modbus device communication. Then, assuming that Modbus requests were entered into the gateway without error, they now must be mapped into a format associated with the I/O modules of PROFIBUS devices, allowing Modbus device data to be processed by the PROFIBUS PLC. I/O mapping is the manual process of rearranging Modbus data segments to comply with the PROFIBUS protocol. Any mistake in the entry of the mapping process will render the gateway unresponsive and/or to malfunction, and the entire mapping process will have to be checked for errors and possibly repeated. The tedious tasks of manual Modbus request entries and PROFIBUS I/O mapping can be a very time-consuming project. Depending on the number of nodes and the parameters of Modbus devices, conventional I/O mapping can easily require days to complete.

AutoLearning and Auto Mapping Technology Virtually Eliminates I/O Mapping
The recent release of an innovative feature, QuickLink, offers an alternative for Modbus-to-PROFIBUS I/O mapping. QuickLink, a software feature of Moxa’s MGate 4101-MB-PBS gateway, combines AutoLearning and Auto Mapping technology to significantly reduce the time required for I/O mapping. After connecting the Modbus and PROFIBUS segments to the MGate 4101-MB-PBS, systems integrators can simply start MGate Manager, Moxa’s gateway configuration software, and initiate QuickLink. First, AutoLearning allows the MGate device to passively listen for data being sent across the Modbus segment and learn the request parameters used for communication. Then the MGate 4101-MB-PBS will begin the Auto Mapping process, which systematically rearranges all Modbus request data segments in a format usable for transmission to the PROFIBUS master (PLC). Scrutinizing the manuals of the gateway and Modbus device for configuration information will no longer be necessary. Configuration will be completed automatically through the MGate Manager utility in just a few minutes.

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http://www.premierelect.co.uk/moxa-data-communications-se...

For further information

Project management of an automation system requires the planning of many daunting tasks, and Modbus-to-PROFIBUS integration shouldn’t be one of them. Take advantage of the MGate 4101-MB-PBS gateways and virtually eliminate I/O mapping from your Modbus-to-PROFIBUS integration.

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