PROFIBUS communication module AB9078

ProfiNetEtherNet/IP2 port

The information exchange between the Operational Technology (OT) side and the Information Technology (IT) side is made with messages defined in a spreadsheet template (Excel). Up to 65535 different message types, with each message a max size of 251 bytes, may be defined. Each message type is identified with a unique ID number. The messages are sent in sequence over the same IO-data, which provides a very large total of data communication. These message types are defined in a spreadsheet template (Microsoft Excel). The template is included in the configuration software together with the function blocks and product definition files (GSD, GSDML, EDS, ESI). Using the spreadsheet, the Anybus .NET Bridge Code Generator creates C# files for the .NET programmer and PLC files for the PLC programmer. The configuration software also includes two simulators — a PLC simulator for the .NET programmer and a .NET simulator for the PLC programmer. A function block (provided by HMS) manages the handshake on the PLC side and provides an easy-to-use interface for the PLC programmer. For applications where minimum delay and maximum performance is required, the .NET Bridge can be used in streamer mode where data streams are exchanged directly without any handshake (PROFIBUS, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP). In this mode, data need to be mapped manually in the PLC and in the .NET application.