Fieldbus Connectivity

The DL5000 is a freestanding or DIN rail communications interface gateway that enables serial application protocols to exchange data with the most popular fieldbus network protocols. It integrates industrial devices to fieldbus networks, providing functionality, control and reliability, in both new and existing installations. The DL5000 family has a model for each major Fieldbus network all using a common serial interface design that permits serial configurations developed for use on one fieldbus to be reused on all other fieldbus networks without need for change. The DL5000 currently has fieldbus support for ControlNet, Profibus-DP, DeviceNet, Ethernet, Ethernet I/P, Modbus TCP, Modbus Plus, LonWorks and CC-Link.

Serial Protocol Support

The DL5000 currently supports Modbus RTU Master and Generic Data (ASCII) modes and supports up to 31 slave nodes on its serial interface. Modbus is one of the most widely used serial protocols used in industry and the DL5000 implementation fully complies with the Modbus specification. Many other serial protocols can be configured using the DL5000’s Generic Data mode that handles simple message routing between a serial device and the fieldbus master without the need to sort or process data. The DL5000 performs intelligent calculations needed for commands on the serial link such as CRC checksum and also performs advanced data processing only, exchanging user-defined data with the fieldbus master, which saves time and improves data throughput.

Configuration and Monitoring

The DL5000 is fully configurable through a user-friendly Windows program. Just hook up your PC to the DL5000’s configuration port and configure the fieldbus network properties as well as the serial sub-network’s operation. The same port can also be used for on-line diagnostics and monitoring. The user can choose from pre-defined Modbus commands as well as creating new commands and transactions.

Overview of operation

The DL5000 enables up to 31 serial devices to exchange data with a fieldbus master. It has a 1024 byte shared I/O RAM memory that provides temporary storage for data to be exchanged between fieldbus and serial networks and devices. Serial configuration parameters, commands and transactions as well as fieldbus configuration parameters can be downloaded and saved in the DL5000’s flash firmware. In Modbus mode the DL5000 can issue a full range of Modbus commands to read data from a device on the serial network, then save this data to its Input RAM where it is then accessible by a fieldbus master. Conversely a fieldbus master can transfer data to the DL5000’s Output RAM and then issue a Modbus write (or Generic data) command to transfer this data to a device on the serial network. Both the fieldbus master and the device's serial sub-network controller can read or write to the DL5000’s I/O RAM either cyclically or based on the setting of control bits (i.e. new data). In Generic Data mode the DL5000 enables OEM devices to receive and transmit either solicited or unsolicited generic data (ASCII) messages from / to the shared Input / Output RAM where it is then available to a fieldbus master.

Features:

• Save up to 90% on R&D costs
• Save time and resources enabling clients to focus on their core competence
• No maintenance or upgrade costs
• Short time from design to field implementation
• Full fieldbus compliance
• Technical support, during and after purchase
• Proven fieldbus interfaces are used worldwide
• Same serial configuration can be used on all fieldbus types