Communication between PLC and Computer ?

raphy

Hi everyone,

Currently I have a computer application (in C #) which communicates with PLCs via modbus ... but modbus is starting to be too slow for our application.

I thought maybe be able to use PLCnext controls to manage the exchanges with the computer, is that possible?

I see that it is possible to integrate C # and then send it to the controller, but would this solution allow communication with software on a computer itself also programmed in C #?

I just discovered PLCnext so I am trying to understand if this solution can answer my problem, and replace Modbus with a faster solution to communicate with my application on my computer.

Thank you!

 

Martin [PLCnext Technology Team]

Hello raphy,

I thought maybe be able to use PLCnext controls to manage the exchanges with the computer, is that possible?

Yes, this is possible.

I see that it is possible to integrate C # and then send it to the controller, but would this solution allow communication with software on a computer itself also programmed in C #?

No, unfortunately the C# programming feature on the controller does not make it any easier to communicate with the PLC from an external C# application.

Custom-built applications running on a PC currently have a number of options for communicating with the controller, including:

• Fieldbus protocols like Profinet, Modbus or Ethernet/IP.
• OPC UA (the PC would need to implement an OPC UA client).
• REST API calls (the PC would need to implement a REST client).
• Java API (for PC applications written in Java)
• MQTT
• Your own custom-written service running on the PLC, e.g. in a Docker container, that somehow transfers data to the PC.

The solution you choose will depend on a number of factors, including the required data transfer rate.

Hope this helps.

~ Martin.

raphy

Thank you very much Martin,

Your answer is really complete, I understand the solution better now.

Thank you.