An overview of the requirements, standards, applications, and main differences between Profinet and Profibus communication protocol, connectors, and evolution from its original technology. Profibus and Profinet are two of the most popular communication protocols used in industrial automation. Both protocols share a similar origin story, as they were conceived out of the need for standardizing … Read more
Every method of connecting to an industrial device—USB, serial, or Ethernet—poses challenges. For Ethernet, we often must adjust the IP address of our PC, not only the device itself. The story is familiar. You find yourself configuring a new networked device to find that it only contains a single or double Ethernet port. No familiar … Read more
Industrial communication channels often contain terms such as ‘Modbus over RS485’ or ‘CIP Safety over Ethernet’. What does it mean to send one network over another, and how does it work to your advantage? Industrial networking relies on the knowledge of professionals who are becoming more widely recognized with the term ‘OT’, meaning operational technology. … Read more
Learn about Modbus security in industrial automation, including vulnerabilities, fixes, and alternative solutions. There are many pros and cons associated with the integration of security on existing Modbus systems. The primary driver for security introduction is the addition of TCP/IP networking to utilize cloud networking, and this brings with it many potential vulnerabilities. Concern for … Read more
This article will introduce Modbus, an industrial protocol that laid the foundation for fieldbus communication in industrial systems. In 1979, Modicon introduced an application layer protocol (layer 7 of the OSI model) for use with its Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). This protocol was called Modbus and became the first widely used fieldbus in the history … Read more
Learn how to set up Ethernet/IP communications, including steps for both the FANUC controller and the Studio 5000 environment for a Rockwell PLC. Connecting a PLC to a FANUC robot via Ethernet/IP offers numerous benefits for industrial automation. It gives access to integrated control, allowing coordination between different manufacturing process components. The PLC can send … Read more
There are multiple methods for mapping inputs and outputs to an industrial robot. In this article, we cover two of the most popular methods: letting the robot or the PLC control the I/O signals. There is one unavoidable question to ask during your next robotic design, no matter what brand of robot is used: you … Read more
Learn about the background and use of message queue telemetry transport (MQTT) in the industrial automation industry. The History of Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) MQTT was developed in 1999 by Andy Stanford-Clark with IBM and Arlen Nipper to connect measuring devices on oil pipelines to their SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system via … Read more
What is TLS and what is its role in the Modbus-TCP version of the Modbus protocol? Security comes with added protocol complexity. Many industrial control systems rely upon encapsulating Modbus Application Protocol (MBAP) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) messages carried on a TCP/IP network within a “TLS” layer to secure communications. The combined solution is called ‘Modbus/TCP … Read more
Networked remote I/O allows us to work with a machine center separately from the rest of the system, and drop the solution right in place. If you are worried about the distance between machines or the age of an old machine becoming a hindrance to bringing your operation into the 21st century, don’t worry. Computer … Read more