New two-port EtherNet/IP Plug-in-module fosters industrial automation from HMS

HMS Industrial Networks (www.hms.se) is proud to announce its extended Anybus-CC family with the new two-port EtherNet/IP communication module with integrated switch. This is the latest addition to the Anybus-CC family of plug-in communication modules from HMS, giving interchangeable connectivity solutions for all Industrial Ethernet and major fieldbus networks such as Modbus-TCP, EtherCAT, Profinet, CANopen, CC-Link, DeviceNet and Profibus. Anybus-CC modules are utilized as communication interfaces for intelligent automation devices including scales, instruments, inverters, robots, HMIs and drives.

The New EtherNet/IP module with integrated switch eliminates the need for external switches and reduces infrastructure cost.

The new two-port version permits EtherNet/IP real-time communication with ring or bus topologies. The new module provides a simple way for a variety of automation device with integrated Anybus-CC slot to be connected to any programmable logic controller (“PLC”) with EtherNet/IP support and removes the need for costly external switches. Moreover, the module provides a TCP/UDP-IP socket interface, which can be utilized to apply specific application protocols like Modbus-TCP.

This new module has another key feature, the added support for DLR (“Device Level Ring”) network protocol. The DLR technology adds a device-level network resilience optimizing machine operation. DLR can detect a break in the ring to provide alternate data routing to recover the network. Also, the module includes industrial IT functions such as an E-mail client, an embedded web server and an FTP server.

The new Anybus-CC module has a handy housing with the same size to a compact flash card. The module’s core is NP30 microprocessor from HMS with its integrated quick Ethernet controller and Flash and RAM memories for the EtherNet/IP device software stack. Its onboard two-port switch gives two 100 Mbit per second full duplex Ethernet interfaces with RJ45 connectors.

Each Anybus-CC is interchangeable and offers device manufacturers an efficient and simple way to connect intelligent automation devices to all industrial Ethernet and major fieldbus networks with just one development.