Anybus Communicator DF1

Connecting devices with a serial Rockwell DF1 interface
Connect your non-networked device to any major fieldbus or industrial Ethernet networks with the Anybus Communicator. The Communicator performs an intelligent conversion between the serial protocol of the automation device and the chosen industrial network.

For industral devices with a Rockwell DF1 serial interface, HMS takes away the hassel of scripting and serial frame building by using visual template wizards contained within the included "Anybus Configuration Manager". This enables you to get your devices connected fast.

  •  Overview
  • Applications
  •  Configuration
  •  How it works
  •  Characteristics

The Communicator handles the complete serial protocol without the need for extensive PLC function blocks. This compact gateway consumes very little space in a switching cabinet and is easily mounted on a standard DIN-rail.

For devices with a Rockwell DF1 serial interface, the Communicator functions as a DF1 Master in half duplex mode. With its selectable RS-232/422/485 interface, It is possible connect multiple DF1 devices using one Communicator. Therefore making for a very cost effective industrial network connection.

  KEY COMMUNICATOR DF1 BENEFITS
    Proven and trusted intelligent gateways providing unrivaled flexibility and functionality
    Once a configuration is completed it can be re-used for many other industrial networks
    Network enables almost any automation device with a serial RS-232/422/485 DF1 interface
    No hardware or software changes are required for the connected automation devicel
    Available for all major fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks
    Compatible with all leading PLC's from manufacturers such as Allen Bradley, Siemens, Schneider etc..
    Complete protocol conversion performed by the Communicator, no extensive PLC function blocks required
    One Communicator can connect upto 31 serial DF1 devices using its RS-485 interface
    Included Configuration Manager with an easy visual DF1 configuration. No programming required!
    Global free technical support and consultancy
    Custom versions with pre-loaded configuration, colors and labels available on request
    3 year product guarantee from date of shipment

Single and multi-drop mode
The Communicator can be used to connect one or multiple (up to 31) automation device via its selectable serial RS-232/422/485 interface to a fieldbus or industrial Ethernet network.



Typical Devices
All devices with a DF1 protocol interface, such as Rockwell/Allen Bradley PLC-5, SLC-500 and MicroLogix among others can be connected to 13 industrial networks including DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, Modbus/TCP, Profibus-DP, ProfiNet and CANopen and more.

Typical Industries

Factory Automation Automative Building and HVAC Mining Water treatment Process Pharmaceutical Oil and Gas

The flexibility and the high industrial standards and certifications that the Commuicator has mean that it is used in many different types of industrail applications. Factory automation, Building and HVAC, Waste water management, Marine, Mining, Medical are some industries where the Communicator is used.

Easy configuration with the "Anybus Confiuration Manager"

DF1 Master Mode
When converting the DF1 protocol the Communicator acts as a DF1 Half Duplex Master on the serial network. It sends a request and expects a response from the connected automation device. Besides DF1, Master mode can be used with almost all other customer defined request/response based serial protocols.

DF1 visual configuration method
As mentioned above, HMS has taken away the hassel of scripting and serial frame building for the DF1 protocol by using visual templates contained within the included ABC Config Tool.

 

This Windows™ based software has an easy to use user interface and requires no programming. With this unique configuration method, your devices will be connected to your network of choice in no time.

Fieldbus/Ethernet Uplink
The uplink fieldbus or Ethernet slave interface to the PLC is configured with a standard device description file (GSD/EDS) in the PLC engineering tool.

  KEY FEATURES - ANYBUS CONFIGURATION MANAGER - DF1
    Supports all network versions of the Communicator except Lonworks
    Can be used to configure additional protocols such as Modbus-RTU, ASCII, CAN or vendor specific
    Handy Save/Load function means a completed configuration can be re-used for many other installations
    Password protection prevents unauthorized upload and download of configurations
    Ability to make popular cheksum calculations
    In-built line listener with test functions
    Multi language - supporting, English, German, Italian, French, Polish,   Russian, Japanese and Chinese
    User friendly interface with online help


Communicator data mappingIntelligent Data Mapping
All data between the fieldbus and the serial network is stored in an internal memory buffer inside the Communicator.

The data exchange between the PLC on the fieldbus/Ethernet and the automation device is then made using the input and output areas of the internal memory within the Communicator.

Results
The internal storage of I/O data inside the Communicator de-couples the two networks.

This permits the that even automation devices with slow serial communication can be integrated into high-speed fieldbus/Ethernet networks without any restrictions to the upper network.



Java Versions
HMS provides an extended Communicator version with a "free" programmable Java interface available for complex protocols and data pre-processing.