I-7188EX-MTCP
Modbus/TCP Embedded Controller with 40 Mhz CPU and Real Time Clock Programmable in C Language. Converts Modbus RTU to Modbus TCP. Supports operating temperatures between -25 to 75°C. Can be piggy back din rail mounted on top of other modules. I-7188EXD-MTCP has a 7 segment LED display.
Features
Modbus is a communication protocol developed by MODICON Inc. in 1979. It's a standard, truly open and the most widely used network communication protocol in industrial automation field. SCADA and HMI software can easily integrate serial devices together via Modbus protocol.
What is Modbus/TCP protocol?
Modbus/TCP protocol is a variant of Modbus protocol. It was developed in 1999 to allow the Internet community access to Ethernet devices.
What software supports Modbus and Modbus/TCP protocol ?
Most SCADA (Supervisor Control And Data Acquisition) and HMI software support Modbus. Examples include: Citect, ICONICS, iFIX, InduSoft, Intouch, Entivity Studio, Entivity Live, Entivity VLC, Trace Mode, Wizcon, and Wonderware.
What is VxComm Technique?
"VxComm" stands for "Virtual Communications Ports". The VxComm Driver creates COM port(s) and maps them to the ethernet port(s) of the 7188E/8000E controllers. The user's RS-232 client programs only need to change to different COM ports to gain access to serial devices over Internet or Ethernet networks via the 7188E/8000E controllers.
What is SCADA?
SCADA stands for Supervisor Control And Data Acqusition. It is a production automation and control system based on PCs.
It is widely used in many fileds like power generation, water systems, oil, chemistry, and automobile industries. Different fields need different functions, but they use the following features:
- Graphical User Interfaces
- Process Simulation
- Real time and Historic Trending
- Alarm Systems
- Data Acquisition and Recording
- Data Analysis
- Report Generation
When you buy an I-7188E -MTCP controller, it already has the default Modbus firmware installed in Flash memory. The default firmware has the follows features:
-
Converters single Modbus/TCP to multi Modbus/RTU
The I-7188E -MTCP is a Modbus/TCP gateway. It can easily upgrade many Modbus/RTU devices to have Ethernet communication ability.
-
Supports VxComm technique for every COM port of controllers
If serial devices don't support Modbus/RTU, you can still access these devices. But need to install VxComm driver on host PCs and assign a COM port number to link to the remote COM port (of I-7188E -MTCP). After that, serial clients can access these remote serial devices via standard RS-232 functions. -
Allowed multi-client (or master) access simultaneously
Different I-7188E -MTCP controller supports different client numbers connect to. Please refer to our FAQ on web for more detail. - Firmware modifiable
We provide the Modbus SDK allowing users to develop their custom Modbus firmware. - Din Rail Mount
Specifications
CPU | |
CPU | 80188, 40MHz or compatible |
SRAM | 512K bytes |
Flash Memory | 512K bytes |
EEPROM | 2K Bytes |
NVRAM | 31 Bytes (battery backup, data valid up to 10 year) |
RTC (Real Time Clock) | Yes |
64-bit Hardware Serial Number | Yes |
Built-in Watchdog Timer | Yes |
Communication Interface | |
COM1 | RS-232 (TXD, RXD, RTS, CTS, GND) |
COM2 | RS-485 (D2+, D2-) |
Ethernet Port | 10BASE-T NE2000 compatible Ethernet Controller |
COM Port Formats | |
Data bit | 7, 8 |
Parity | Even, Odd, None |
Stop bit | 1 |
LED Display | |
5-Digit 7 Segment LED Display | Yes (for I-7188EXD-MTCP only) |
System LED Indicator | Yes |
Hardware Expansion | |
I/O expansion bus | Yes |
User defined I/O pins | 14 pins |
Dimensions | |
I-7188EX(D)-MTCP | 123mm x 72mm x 33mm |
Operating Environment | |
Operating Temperature | -25°C to +75°C |
Storage Temperature | -40°C to +80°C |
Power | |
Protection | Power reverse polarity protection |
Required Supply Voltage | +10 to +30V/DC (non-regulated) |
Power consumption | 2W for I-7188EX-MTCP 3W for I-7188EXD-MTCP |
Modbus SDK ( in C language )
If the default firmware doesn't totally suit your requirement. You can use Modbus SDK to modify the default firmware to add extra functions. The Modbus SDK has below features:
-
Supports extra user-defined command protocol (TCP/IP)
Modbus/TCP protocol supports 2 basic data format (bit and 2-byte integer). It means if clients (or called masters) don't support Modbus/TCP or you need other format data (for example: string of floating value), I-7188Es (with default firmware) cannot communicate with them. Using this feature, you can develop your special command protocol to transfer any format of data. -
Register based programming method (easy to use)
Modbus library supports 4 internal register tables (iMemory_AI, iMemory_AO, iMemory_DI, iMemory_DO), you can use these to store specific information. When Modbus/TCP clients request to I-7188E, Modbus kernel will response information from these 4 tables. - Provides user-defined registers
The 4 internal register tables are all open to users. You need to assign these tables by yourself. - Can Iink to Modbus/TCP slave devices
- Din Rail Mount
- By using function ModbusTCP_Master2Slave (declared in MBTCP_7E.h),the 7188EX-MTCP can link 8 max . Modbus/TCP device.
- Can link to Modbus/RTU slave devices
By using function ModbusMaster2Slave (declared in MBTCP_7E.h), Modbus/RTU devices can be easily integrated to internal registers of I-7188Es. An I-7188E polling every Modbus/RTU devices and put every necessary information to internal registers. Clients only ask the I-7188E to get all information of Modbus/RTU devices. That reduces loading of Clients. - Can link to non-Modbus/RTU serial devices
Some serial devices don't support Modbus/RTU. We provide functions to let I-7188E -MTCP access serial devices. You can put information to internal registers of it. Thus, the non-Modbus serial devices can also support Modbus/TCP. - Supports X boards
You can choose one suitable Xboard to add on an I-7188EX to be on board I/Os. -
Xserver SDK compatible
Modbus SDK is based on Xserver SDK. To lear more programming skills, you can refer demos of Xserver. To get information of demos of Xserver, please refer to CD:Napdso7188eTCPXserverXserver.htm
Modbus Utility
We provide Modbus tools for Windows 98/SE/NT/2K/XP, it includes:
- Modbus Utility
- On-line configuration via Ethernet
- On-line help
- Automatically generate register mapping tables
- Configuration export/imp
- MBRTU
Modbus/RTU client (with source code in VB6) to diagnostic Modbus/RTU slave devices. - MBTCP
Modbus/TCP client (with source code in VB6) to diagnostic Modbus/TCP slave devices.
Typical applications
Basic application 1: protocol converter
An I-7188E -MTCP runs a default firmware to become a single Modbus/TCP to multi-Modbus/RTU converter. You can simply use the Modbus Utility to configure the device and then set connection between SCADA , HMI software and the I-7188E.
Basic application 2: protocol converter with VxComm technique
An I-7188E -MTCP is also be able to link to serial devices that don't support Modbus/RTU. To use this function, you will need to install VxComm driver on host PCs. After installation, you will be able to access the remote COM ports via the standard serial driver.
Advanced application 1: Modbus/TCP controller
Using the Modbus SDK, users can develop their own custom Modbus firmware, allowing extra functions, integration of serial devices and a Xboard to the Modbus/TCP kernel. Thus an I-7188E can become a powerful controller.
Advanced application 2: Modbus/TCP controller with VxComm technique
When an I-7188E -MTCP links same hardware devices as Advanced application 1 link to, if any devices connected to certain COM ports are not integrated into your custom firmware, you are still able to access the COM ports via the standard serial driver. In order to do this, you must install the VxComm driver on the host PCs.
Note:
The Modbus firmware can only run under 512K SRAM hardware. If you need more COM ports, you can buy an expansion board to expand the COM port number. Usage:
Step1. Open the cover of the I-7188EX or I-7188EXD.
Step2. Plug the X board to the I-7188EX or I-7188EXD.
Step3. Close the cover.