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COMMUNICATION
Between people
Voice
Language
COMMUNICATION
Between machines
Physical
Layer
Communication
Protocols
General Review
Physical layer
Unitronics PLCs support several
physical layers:
RS232
(2 units; up to 16 meters)
RS485
General Review
Protocols
Unitronics PLCs support
several Protocols:
Hardware Review
Serial
M90
M91/91-2
Jazz
(option)
V120
port, 1
RS232
port, 1
RS232/485
, ports 2
RS232/485
ports, RS232 2
optional port,
1
RS232/485
Some
models
Some
models
All
models
None
None
Ethernet card
(optional)
CANbus Some
models
Ethernet None
V230/260/280/290
V570
, isolated ports 2
RS232/485
Yes
Ethernet card
(optional)
Protocol Review
M90
M91/91-2
V120
V230/260/280/290
/V570
RS232
RS485
Pcom
Pcom
Pcom
Pcom
MODBUS
MODBUS
MODBUS
User defined User defined User defined
CANbus
ISC
ISC
ISC
UniCAN
CANOpen
ISC
UniCAN
CANOpen
Ethernet
None
None
None
Pcom over IP
MODBUS IP
User defined
Physical Layers
RS232
Communication parameters
Baud rate:
Start bit:
always 1bit
Data bits:
7 or 8 data bits
Parity check:
Stop bits:
1, 1.5 or 2 bits
Physical Layers
RS485
Communication in daisy chain network up to 32 devices
Balanced half duplex signal (RS485)
Two wires A (Rx/Tx+) and B (Rx/Tx-);
Up to 1200 meters - twisted shielded pair cable;
Supported by Jazz (optional) M91-2-xx, V120, V2xx (optional) controllers, V570
Physical Layers
RS485
Communication parameters same as in RS232
Addressing (Unitronics OPLC) ID 65 ~ 254
Protocol Review
The Pcom Protocol
All Unitronics PLC operating systems are embedded with
the Pcom protocol. Pcom enables Unitronics PLCs as slave
devices, enabling them to be accessed by incoming
communications via all ports.
The Pcom protocol is also the protocol that we use for
programming, remote access, and data acquisition
The Pcom protocol is addressable by nature (part of the
protocol) and so it can work over a network as well.
The Pcom protocol is given free as a DLL with all
documentation and help for people to implement inside their
software.
Protocol review
The Pcom protocol
Two other implementations of the Pcom protocol are the
DDEserver and the OPCserver.
DDEserver and OPCserver are PC based applications that
can, on one hand, take information from our PLCs and on the
other give out this information in a format that other Windows
based applications can understand (like SCADA systems for
example).
Our DDE and OPC server are given free on the installation
CD of both U90Ladder and VisiLogic, or can be downloaded
from our website.
Protocol Review
The MODBUS protocol
One of the most common protocols in the market is the
MODBUS protocol.
The MODBUS protocol, originally made for Modicon PLCs,
is shared by many SCADA applications, drives and other
equipment.
In order to support MODBUS, the PLC has to conform with
the MODBUS addressing structure.
MODBUS is a master-slave protocol, and can run over
RS232/485 as well as Ethernet.
There are different versions of Modbus. We support
Modbus RTU (binary) over RS232/485 and Modbus IP over
Ethernet
Physical Layers
CANbus
Unitronics CANbus runs on the same physical layer as
A.B.s DeviceNet, but uses a different protocols.
Protocol Review
CANbus as Bridge
A PC can talk to a Vision via the RS232 serial port.
The PLC can act as a bridge between RS232 and CANbus.
Up to 63 PLCs can be connected in a CANbus net and then
linked via the bridge to a PC.
The PC can see each PLC in the CANbus net.
The bridge controller needs no special programming or
hardware. Any random controller in the net can act as the bridge.
This connection also allows software download and upload to
every PLC on the net.
In the case of a mixed network (M90/91 and Visions) the bridge
controller must be a Vision PLC.
Unit ID 1
Bridge
Unit ID 2
Unit ID 3
Protocol Review
Protocols over CANbus
PLCs on the CANbus network can also talk among themselves.
In Unitronics protocols ISC and UniCAN, the PLCs are both
master and slave. ISC and UniCAN are Multimaster protocols
CANOpen is protocol, supported by a lot of third party devices. Its
supported only by Vision series OPLC. Unitronics acts as Master.
One Unitronics controller can be connected to few other devices.
Remote Communication
Modem
All Unitronics PLCs
support modem
connection.
Connecting to the PLC
from afar enables one
to remotely download,
debug and upload
applications.
Remote Communication
Modem
Unitronics PLCs support 4
types of modems:
PSTN modem (Plain Simple
Telephone Network)
GSM/GPRS modem (wireless)
CDMA modem
RF modems
Remote Communication
Modem
When we want to connect a PC to a PLC via modem
we have 3 aspects to look at:
PLC to modem
Modem to modem
Modem to PC
The connection can be established both from the PC and the PLC
Remote communication
SMS
One of the major advantages of
cellular modems is the ability to
send short text messages
(SMS).
SMS is a global standard that
allows the sending of characters
from one phone to the another.
The phones can either be on
the same network or on different
ones (depending on
agreements between the
cellular providers).
Remote Communication
SMS
The ability to connect the PLC
to a cellular phone opens up a wide
variety of applications.
Basically, a PLC connected to a GSM
modem can receive pre-programmed
messages and act accordingly.
The PLC can also respond by sending a
message to a cellular phone.
Remote Communication
Another important part of Remote Access is the
Ethernet
Remote Communication
Ethernet
Unitronics Vision230/260/280/290/570 all
support Ethernet.
Our Ethernet Card offers 4 sockets
and works with both TCP/IP and UDP/IP.
The Ethernet card can work with speeds of
either 10 or 100Mbps.
The PLC supports the MODBUS over TCP
protocol and uses this as the connection to
SCADA systems and among PLCs.
Remote Communication
Software Utilities
Remote Communication
Remote access
Remote Communication
DataXport
General Review
In order to establish
communication we need
to deal with 4 elements:
Physical layer
Protocol
Baud rate
Data structure
General Review
Baud rate
Unitronics PLCs support a wide
range of baud rates:
General Review
Data structure
Unitronics PLCs support different
structures:
Physical Layers
RS232
Communication between two devices only
Unbalanced full duplex signal
Up to 16 meters
Supported by all Unitronics controllers
Physical Layers
RS232
Two types of communicating devices:
Female DB9
Physical Layers
RS232
Unitronics OPLC
Remote Communication
Modem
A modem, in general, has two modes of operation:
Data mode
Command mode