HMS Industrial Networks (www.anybus.com) is proud to announce the new Anybus X-gateway, which enables system integrators to transfer I/O data between two different programmable logic controller (“PLC”) networks and systems. The new X-gateway is a stand-alone gateway which can be configured to allow plant-floor devices on a Profibus network communicate with other devices on a Modbus-TCP network and vice versa. It has typical applications with mixed usage of Schneider Electric and Siemens, ABB or GE PLCs. Automobile manufacturing plants, for example, are integrated with Profibus based segments into industrial Ethernet-based control applications, the popular Modbus-TCP protocol.

The compact X-gateway is a device for 24 V industrial power supply and standard DIN rail mounting. It operates as a master on the Profibus network and as a server (“slave”) on the Modbus-TCP side. The Profibus master functionality is configured using HMS Anybus NetTool for Profibus, a powerful, easy to use Windows-based configuration tool which comes free with the X-gateway. When the initial configuration is downloaded into the X-gateway, it transfers up to 512 byte of output and 512 byte of input data transparently between Profibus and Modbus-TCP. Up to 124 Profibus slaves can also be connected to the gateway. The X-gateway incorporates a powerful integrated web server on the Modbus-TCP network that supports web-based visualization and remote diagnostics. An OPC server is also included in X-gateway’s scope of delivery. The X-gateway’s Modbus-TCP and Profibus communication interfaces have a certification for full compliance to respective protocol standards.

The new Anybus X-gateway family consists of more than 200 proven, ready-to-use and robust gateways targeted to connect almost all of the possible combinations of two industrial networks. The product family can support 17 different industrial Ethernet and fieldbus networks, including Profinet, EtherNet/IP, CC-Link, CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus and many more. All versions operate the same way and they give a flexible standard solution to connect two industrial networks.