Modbus with AXL F DI8/1 DO8/1 1H - 2701916
We have have AXC F 2152 controller coupled with I/O Module - AXL F DI8/1 DO8/1 - 2701916.
Is there a way to control the digital outputs through modbus using an external software without using PLCNext Engineer. If so, what are the modbus registers for these digital outputs. I couldn't find any documentation on these registers.
Or can I only do this by setting up the controller as a Modbus server in PLCNext Engineer and add the digital outputs as read/write registers?
I've seen the post below on makers blog by Josh Krug. It appears to me that a Modbus TCP bus coupler is being used in their case.
https://www.plcnext-community.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=380:modbus-tcp-with-python-on-axc-f-2152&catid=78&Itemid=366&lang=en
Do I need bus coupler - AXL F BK ETH - 2688459 to control the digital outputs through modbus?
What is the best way to do this?
Comments
Hello,
If your external software (Modbus client) is running on a different device, like a PC or another PLC, then the bus coupler (AXL F BK ETH - 2688459) is the simplest solution.
~ Martin.
Thank you Martin. We will need 15 of them as we have 15 AXC F controllers.
We are part of the Edunet program, performing research studies on microgrid systems using these controllers.
It is not a feasible option for us to buy 15 AXL F couplers right now.
I would like to know if there is another approach to it.
We are using MATLAB to collect data and get live graphs through MODBUS from 30 different smart meters including EMPro's.
The only missing piece for us is being able control the digital outputs through Modbus.
If you have the Matlab OPC Toolbox, then you can exchange data with the PLC using OPC UA, because there is an OPC UA server included in the PLC. You would not need to write any code in this case, only create Port variables with the "OPC" tag, and connect these to the I/O ports.
If you must use Modbus, then you will need to download the Modbus/TCP function block library from the PLCnext Store:
https://www.plcnextstore.com/#/721
... and then create a Modbus Server instance in PLCnext Engineer, and write some code to map data between Modbus registers and physical I/O.
Your Edunet contact in your local Phoenix Contact office should be able to help you with whatever solution you choose. I think you told us previously that you are near to our Harrisburg office - if you need a contact name there, please let us know.
Regards,
Martin.
Thank you so much Martin. This is exactly what I was looking for. OPC UA toolbox will make it easy for us.