​Features and Benefits
• Supports Auto Device Routing for easy configuration
• Supports route by TCP port or IP address for flexible deployment
• Connects up to 32 Modbus TCP servers
• Connects up to 31 or 62 Modbus RTU/ASCII slaves
• Accessed by up to 32 Modbus TCP clients (retains 32 Modbus requests for
each Master)
• Supports Modbus serial master to Modbus serial slave communications
• Built-in Ethernet cascading for easy wiring
• 10/100BaseTX (RJ45) or 100BaseFX (single mode or multi-mode with SC/ST
connector)
• Emergency request tunnels ensure QoS control
• Embedded Modbus traffic monitoring for easy troubleshooting
• Serial port with 2 kV isolation protection (for “-I” models)
• -40 to 75°C wide operating temperature models available
• Supports redundant dual DC power inputs and 1 relay output

By Brian Gallogly

It’s always interesting when I talk to people about Serial to Ethernet.  They mostly only think of the Media (connectors and wire type) which is from RS-232/422/485 to a RJ45 Ethernet port on either a PLC CPU, an unmanaged Ethernet Switch, or a Managed Ethernet Switch.  What they usually leave out is that there is a protocol conversion that needs to be done as well like going from Modbus/RTU to Modbus/TCP for example.

Sensors – There are 3 major types:  There are one-way communication types such as Discrete (on/off) and Analog (+/- 100%) in either Voltage (1-5V) or Current (4-20ma).  Then there are two-way Serial (RS-232/422/485) communication types such as:

• Analyzers (Gas, Liquid, and Solids for Power Generation, Petrochemical, and Water Industries)
• Inverters (Solar Industry)
• VFD/VSD/Inverters (Controlling the speed of motors with Amperage Feedback)
• Smart Sensors (Voltage Monitors, Weather Stations, Complex Level & Flow)

A common way of getting the sensor data to a SCADA system is to use a PLC or a DCS whereby the CPU cards have a Serial port that accepts Modbus/RTU plus the IO cards that are either Discrete or Analog.  All the newer PLC CPU ports have Ethernet ports as well which supports the 3 major Industrial Ethernet protocols:  Modbus/TCP (ADC/Modicon/SQD/Omron/Idec/Mitsubishi), EtherNet/IP (Mostly Rockwell AB), and PROFINET (Mostly Siemens).

For the older PLCs that do not have Ethernet ports and for Analyzers that are not hooked up to a PLC, there is a way for them to communicate to a SCADA / IIoT / IoT platform.
Moxa offers a Gateway for the above situations (0-60 deg C).  Wider Temp models available.

MGate MB3170i – From Modbus/TCP, ASCII, or RTU to Modbus/TCP, ASCII, or RTU
MGate 5105-MB-EIP – From Modbus/TCP, ASCII, or RTU to EtherNet/IP
MGate 5102 – From Modbus (any) or EtherNet/IP to PROFINET
We have a special going on right now for the most popular model, the MGate MB3170i
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$282/each (through June 1, 2023) with over 500 units in stock at Quantum Automation.
Datalogging and Trending of Analyzed Data at a SCADA or IIoT Centralized Location can help determine potential issues to minimize downtime but can also provide information to increase productivity and provide a safer environment.

Connectivity to the device/machine
Netbiter EC300-series gateways connect to fi eld equipment via several connection methods: Serial RS-232/485 Modbus RTU, Modbus-TCP or EtherNet/IP, CAN J1939, SNMP. On-board I/O ports allow sensors and additional equipment to be connected.

Two communication methods: Ethernet and cellular
Netbiter EC comes in two versions: EC310 sends data via Ethernet only, while EC350 and EC360 can use both Ethernet and cellular communication.

Cloud services through Argos™
The gateways interface with the cloud-based Argos service via the cellular network or Ethernet. By logging into www.netbiter.net, you can access and visualize equipment data online and get alarms via email or SMS whenever certain thresholds are reached. Configure and operate machinery remotely The powerful feature Remote Access allows you to open up a secure connection to remote machinery and program it remotely. For example, with a Netbiter gateway connected to your PLC, you can do debugging or re-programming remotely from your PC, using your regular configuration software.

HMS Networks has expanded its second generation Anybus® Communicator™ range of high-performance gateways, enabling more data to be transferred faster within industrial applications. Thirteen new versions that bridge EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFIBUS, and PROFINET networks make it simple to connect control systems, remove islands of automation, and maximize opportunities to increase operational performance.  

The award-winning Anybus NP40 industrial network processor powers the gateways, ensuring that the Communicators will match demanding requirements in terms of performance, reliability, and security.  

The new hardware and software enable the gateways to transfer data instantly, up to 10 times faster than the current gateways. Users can also benefit from significantly increased data exchange support as the gateway transfers up to 1 500 bytes to and from the connected PLC. ​

Data Collection, Storage, and Dashboarding Made Easy
Key performance indicators define a set of values to measure against, allowing companies to measure performance and evaluate success.  With the KPI functionality embedded in the Ewon Flexy, you can take the next step in your digitalization journey. 

As a leading supplier of I/O and automation products worldwide, Advantech offers versatile I/O and automation devices from sensor modules, add-on DAQ cards or portable modules, remote I/O and wireless I/O devices, to IoT I/O gateways, RTUs, embedded automation computers, HMIs and software tools, which not only satisfy data acquisition, measurement, control, and communication needs but also allows cloud integration for wider area data management systems.
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Industrial operators and equipment manufacturers can easily leverage Advantech solutions to collect and monitor data from all kinds of field sites, connecting to IT systems and cloud for further data analytics and managerial decisions.

The role of the Cosy+ industrial gateway is to establish a secure VPN connection between the machine (PLC, HMI, or other devices) and yourself, from anywhere, at any time. The connection happens through Talk2M, a highly secured industrial cloud service included for free with the gateway.
Remotely access your PLCs, HMIs or other devices inside the machine, for maintenance or troubleshooting purposes, wherever you are and from any device. Provide effective and sustainable machine support, save time and money while gaining a major long-term competitive advantage!

American machine builders have chosen Ewon remote solutions as their top choice for remote machine access, and Anybus gateways as top choice for network protocol converters. 

Control Design is one of the leading automation magazines in the United States. For their annual Reader’s Choice Awards 2022, they invited more than 15,000 individuals at American machine-building companies to name their favorite suppliers.HMS was chosen to be the number one supplier in two categories: “Remote machine access” and “Network Protocol Converter/Bridge/Adapter.”
This is the 8th year in a row that the Ewon solutions from HMS Networks are chosen as the number one choice for remote access, while the Anybus gateway solutions are chosen for the third time a row.

“We are very happy to receive these awards,” says Anders Hansson CMO at HMS Networks. “It is fantastic to be chosen for the 8th and 3rd year in a row for remote access and gateways respectively. We see this as proof that HMS continues to solve real-life problems for machine builders helping them become more productive and sustainable. It is especially rewarding that the acknowledgement comes from Control Design’s readers – the machine builders themselves who use our products.”
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Control Design’s selection criteria
More than 15,000 individuals who identify themselves as having buying influence or authority were invited to access our confidential ballot for the 2022 Control Design Readers’ Choice Awards. All of the voting is unaided, meaning that no list of supplier choices is provided for guidance or assistance in the ballot. It is created entirely by the participants, who may vote for first, second and third preferences in each category. The results are grouped by Control, Hardware, Motion, Networking, Safety, Sensing and Software categories. The results do not knowingly include votes from any suppliers in the final tally.

The EDS-4000/G4000 Series industrial managed Ethernet switches unveils a new chapter of industrial networking. The strengthened security, easy-to-use design, and high performance coupled with high reliability strengthen your network resilience to help you face networking challenges. With this futureproof networking portfolio, you can effortlessly accelerate your digital transformation.