Connecting devices with a serial RS-232/422/485 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 serial RS-232/422/485 interface, HMS makes it possible to configure almost any Produce/Consume, Request/Response or simple ASCII protocols with its flexible serial frame building method contained within the included "Anybus Configuration Manager".
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.
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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
Typical serial applications used with the Communicator RS include variable frequency drives, sensors, actuators, human machine interfaces, barcode readers, RFID readers and industrial scales among others.
Take a look at the Verfied Device Listing to see some of todays automation equipment that has been connected with the Commuicator. Sample device configurations are available to download
Typical Industries
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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.
Flexible configuration with the "Anybus Configuration Manager" The Commuicator and the included Anybus Configuration Manager gives your the ability to convert almost any type of serial protocol. Apart from the common Modbus-RTU or DF1 protocols the Communicator gives your the possibility to implement your own. Master Mode - Query/Response |
Generic Mode - Produce/Consume
Any device on the serial network , including the Communicator, can spontaneously produce or consume a message; It does not have to reply to a message, nor does it have to wait for a query to send one. This is very common transmission method use with with bar code scanners for example.
Serial Frame Building
The Communicator has the ability to generate defined data frames. These data frames can consist of data received from the serial network or from the chosen fieldbus/Ethernet network, constant values, start / stop characters and many popular checksum calculations. To configure any type of the above mentioned protocols you will need to define the values of the serial data frame within the Configuration Manager.
If you require assistance implementing your serial protocol then contact HMS, or your local Anybus Distributor or approved HMS System Partner.
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 - RS-232/422/485 |
 Supports all network versions of the Communicator except Lonworks |
| Can be used to configure additional protocols such as DF1, ASCII or customer specific protocols |
| 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 checksum 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 |
Intelligent 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. 
Java SDK
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Click the links below to view a specific network version of the Communicator RS-232/422/485.
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Where to buy
Want to know more about the Communicator RS?Contact our qualified sales personel or our selectively chosen partners and distributors around the world!
Contact HMS Whats included
An Anybus Communicator gateway together with the Anybus Configuration Manager, Quick start documentation and a serial RS-232 cable is supplied with every single-piece Communicator shipment. The Communicator can also be customized for brand labelling and supplied with pre-loaded protocol configurations.
Contact HMS Configuration Video Request Information
Send an online information request directly to HMS.Describe your application needs and we will contact you as soon as possible
Request Information
