Category: Equustek Product Information

In case you have the serial DF1 port of an Allen Bradley PLC, like PLC5, SLC 5/05 1747-L551, SLC 5/03 1747-L533, CompactLogix 1768, CompactLogix 1769, Control Logix 5563, MicroLogix 1400 (1766 MicroLogix ), MicroLogix 1200 (1762 MicroLogix ), MicroLogix 1100 ( 1763 MicroLogix ), MicroLogix 1000 ( 1761 MicroLogix ), or any DF1 device where the DF1 port is already being used and you want to connect another DF1 device to it, usually you would get the Allen Bradley 1747-DPS1 DF1 port splitter but that is being discontinued by Allen Bradley and now your best solution out there is Equustek’s DL4000-DFX  which allows three DF1 serial devices to simultaneously communicate with each other, below is the link to DL4000 page .

https://www.equustek.com/dl-4000-dfx-df1-to-df1/

The DL4000 can be programmed with other firmware versions to perform other protocol conversions, such as; 

DL4000-DMX allows DF1 to communicate with MODBUS  and can be configured for MODBUS master or MODBUS slave, it also can be configured to connect via RS232, RS422 or RS485.

https://www.equustek.com/dl4000-dmx-modbus-df1/

DL4000-MMX interfaces MODBUS  RTU to MODBUS ASCII (Allows Modbus RTU devices to communicate with multiple Modbus ASCII devices), also can be configured to do RS232, RS422 or RS485.

https://www.equustek.com/dl-4000-mmx-modbus-rtu-modbus-ascii/

DL4000-DAS Interfaces serial ASCII devices (Scanners/Printers) to AB DF1 protocol.

https://www.equustek.com/dl-4000-das-df1-ascii/

DL4000-MAS Interfaces ASCII device to MODBUS RTU Slave.

https://www.equustek.com/dl-4000-mas-modbus-ascii-converter/

DL4000-PM Provides a DF1 Half Duplex Master Interface to Allen Bradley Power Monitor 3000 then sends the converted data via Modbus to specified Slave RTU devices.

https://www.equustek.com/dl-4000-pm-df1-ab-power-monitor/

If you are in a situation where you have an Allen Bradley MicroLogix 1400 with MODBUS TCP/IP support, and you want it to communicate with the DH+ network devices like Allen  Bradley’s PLC5 and SLC5/04, where the MicroLogix Ethernet port is configured for MODBUS TCP/IP Master so that it can get data from any DH+ Device ( PLC5s and SLC504s), or the other way when the DH+ Nodes or devices like PLC5 or SLC5/04 wants to get data from MicroLogix which it’s Ethernet port is configured in this case for MODBUS TCP/IP Slave, that said not many easy affordable solutions are out there, however Equustek Solutions DL6000-MEDH+ can do it easily, when it is configured as a Slave where the MicroLogix is Ethernet port is configured as a Master.

Here the DL6000-MEDH+ will allow the MicroLogix to communicate with all PLC5s and SLC504s or any Allen Bradley DH+ node connected to the same Data Highway Plus network which the DH+ port of DL6000-MEDH+ is connected to, that is accomplished when the MicroLogix MODBUS connects to the IP address of the DL6000-MEDH+ then by using the DH+ nodes address numbers as MODBUS Slave IDs to address the PLCs and SLC504s.

Also when the DH+ PLC5s or SLC 5/04s are initiating communications and are requesting data from the MicroLogix then the DL6000-MEDH+ Ethernet side will be configured as a Master while the MicroLogix Ethernet port will be configured as a MODBUS TCP/IP Slave.

Here the DL6000-MEDH+ will allow any DH+ device to request data from the MicroLogix.

More details about the DL6000-MEDH+ can be found from the link below.

https://www.equustek.com/dl6000-medhplus-modbus-tcpip-to-allen-bradley-dhplus-networks/

DL6000-MEDH+ as A Master Application Note link below

https://www.equustek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DL6000-MEDH-Application-note-as-master.pdf

DL6000-MEDH+ as A Salve Application Note link below

https://www.equustek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DL6000-Application-note-as-MODBUS-Slave.pdf

In networking, a protocol converter is a program or a device that converts from one protocol to another allowing inter-dependability between systems or devices that use dissenting protocols. Essentially, communication protocols are the rules that define how the data passing through a system are to be processed and transmitted. If two or more systems or devices don’t use the same protocol, then they cannot understand (communicate with) each other; thus the need for a protocol converter.

In simple words, a protocol converter converts from protocol to another in order to permit the systems to achieve interoperability.

The protocols are software installed on routers that transfer commands from one system to another. The process incorporates conversion of data, commands, their encoding, demonstration and enclosing to accomplish the transformation.  

There is a whole host of protocols used in numerous fields of networking that includes events and time synchronization, conversion of data messages, major protocol translation messages involve commands, AMR, automation, utilities, transmission and distribution, power generation, oil and gas, and remote monitoring applications.

A protocol converter works by utilizing an internal master protocol for communicating with the external devices. The data collected is then used for updating the converter’s internal database. There are numerous physical mediums used for communication on protocol-X and Y including the Ethernet, RS-232, and RS-485 among others.

Types of protocol converters

There are primarily two types of protocol converters used in networking. They are:

1. Software Protocol Converters
2. Hardware Protocol Converters

Choosing a protocol converter

When choosing a protocol converter, it is critical to go for a converter that best suits your communication and application setup. The following are the three factors to consider when choosing a protocol converter.

• Total number of connections: Some protocol converters have only single connections, while others have as many as 32 connections including multiple serial ports.
• Connectivity protocol: The protocol converter must support the protocol used by your network whether Ethernet, RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485.
• Baud Rate: The protocol converter you choose must have high baud rates for high performance.

Applications of a protocol converter

The applications of a protocol converter differ from industry to industry. Depending on the protocols, it can be a software converter or a hardware converter. Some of the key applications of a protocol converter include building automation, vehicle automation applications, automatic meter reading, process automation, industrial automation, and substation automation.

In situations, where a signal from the system or device is inept at coexisting with the protocols used by the network management system or building management system, a protocol converter is best suited.

A protocol converter can receive up to a maximum of 1024 inputs over 32 modules, allowing for flexible integration with multiple alarm and management systems using a single device. On the other hand, the protocol converters are used with fiber media converters, PDH multiplexes, PCI Express network cards, DWDM equipment, CWDM, and switches.

Final Words

All in all, protocol converters play an essential role in telecommunication and networking applications.  

Image Sources:

https://www.itpro.co.uk/network-internet/30276/what-is-ethernet-the-standards-explained

http://www.softplc.com/products/comm/gateways/

DL3500 General Operation & Applications

The DL3500 continues the functionality of the DL2000/DL3000 product line. It offers both the new addition of DH485 as well as a plug and play USB interface. As well as having the DH+ and 232/422/485 capabilities of the DL3000. Two DL3500 Models will also allow Bridging between DH+ and DH485networks. New is the ability to power the DL3500 from the USB communication link, removing the sometimes cumbersome procedure of location an AC or DC power supply when using laptops or PC’s inthe field.

The DL3500 has two communication ports. Channel A is designed to connect to you industrial network,either AB DH+ or DH485 networks. Channel B is used to connect to your serial or USB device, the protocol depends on which flavour (model) of the DL3500 you have ordered.

Channel B has the capabilities of RS232C, RS422, RS485 and USB 2.0. Configuration of the operating parameters is done quickly and easily by the DL32 V3.X windows based software shipped with the unit or available on the Equustek Website. Currently there are three standard DL3500 products available to allow access to A-B’s DH-485 and DH+ network.

Many other custom ASCII and serial protocols have been implemented to Both DH+ and DH-485 on the DL3500 platform. Contact Equustek Solutions to see if the DL3500 is the correct device for your communication needs.

The DL3500 has all three models below available in DH+ and DH485 flavours:

The DL3500-Modbus is a two port device that bridges your Modicon Modbus devices to ones on an Allen Bradley DH485 or DH+ network. The Modbus model can either be used as Modbus Master or Modbus Slave as well as having both Modbus ASCII and RTU protocols.

The DL3500-DF1 is a two port device that allows your DF1 devices (either Full or Half Duplex protocols) to ones on an Allen Bradley DH485 or Allen Bradley DH+ network. The DF1 model is a direct replacement for the 1770-KF3 for DH-485 and 1770-KF2 for DH+ and allows your PCs or Laptops access to any node on the corresponding A-B network.

The DL3500-ASCII interfaces Serial ASCII devices (Scanners/Printers) to SLC’s or other devices on an Allen Bradley DH485 or DH+ network. The DL3500-DF1/DH+ or DH485 interfaces your DF1 devices (either Full or Half Duplex protocols) to ones on either an AB DH485 or DH+ network. The DL3500 comes with both networks available with only using the software configuration program to switch between the DH485 and DH+ networks