HMS Industrial Networks is extending its gateway family with the addition of the Anybus Communicator for EtherCAT. This is an intelligent protocol converter that connects automation devices via their serial interface (RS-232/422/485) to the Ethernet-based EtherCAT communication protocol. It enables devices without a built-in EtherCAT interface to be connected to an EtherCAT network. Typical applications include frequency inverters, motor starters, barcode readers, RFID scanners and weighing scales.
The Anybus Communicator is a compact device that mounts on standard DIN rail. On the EtherCAT network, it operates as an EtherCAT slave. The implementation is based on Beckhoff´s EtherCAT technology and contains all protocol functions including the CANopen-based application layer for process data (PDO) and parameter data (SDO) communication functions. The network connection is made via two RJ45 connectors and supports 100Mbit/s Ethernet transmission.
Between the Communicator and the field device, the serial interface supports RS-232, RS-485 and RS-422 signal levels at baud rates up to 57kbit/s. For devices with an RS-232 interface, one Anybus Communicator is needed to connect one field device to EtherCAT. However, using an RS-485 interface enables up to 31 automation devices to be connected via one Communicator to EtherCAT. The field devices appear as one slave device on the EtherCAT network. In this case, the cost of an EtherCAT connection can drop to less than EUR20 per device. The Communicator's serial interface supports the commonly-used Modbus protocol, but it can also be easily adapted to manufacturer-specific protocols using a Windows-based configuration program.
In addition to EtherCAT, Anybus Communicators are available for Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus-TCP, as well as for most of the popular fieldbus systems such as Profibus, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Interbus, CANopen, Modbus and CC-Link. All versions work the same way and are a versatile, cost-effective way to connecting field devices to all popular industrial networks.
Using the Anybus Communicator, all these components can be easily integrated into industrial networks without any need for hardware or software modification or extensive engineering work.
