AUtomation studio V2.7/Software and Ethernet communication for X20CP3485-1

Ask Questions B&R Software & Runtime
1

Hello B&R Community,

I am working with a B&R X20CP3485-1 PLC and I need some guidance regarding software, PLC access, and data communication.

  1. Which Automation Studio version is recommended for the X20CP3485-1?

  2. Does Automation Studio V4.12 fully support the X20CP3485-1?

  3. If V4.12 is supported, which Hardware Upgrade / Technology Package is required to add the X20CP3485-1 to the project?

  4. Which Automation Runtime (AR) version is compatible with this CPU?

  5. Can I connect to the X20CP3485-1 directly through its Ethernet port from a Windows PC?

  6. What is the correct procedure in Automation Studio to discover and connect to the PLC over Ethernet?

  7. Can I upload the existing PLC project/application from the CPU using Automation Studio? If yes, what are the steps?

  8. If I don’t have the original Automation Studio project, can I retrieve the PLC program, variables, hardware configuration, and I/O configuration from the controller?

  9. Is B&R PVI required for Ethernet communication with the X20CP3485-1?

  10. For a PC application developed in Python or C#/.NET, what is the recommended B&R communication method/API for reading PLC variables?

  11. Can I use PVI / PVI Manager to read variables from the X20CP3485-1 over Ethernet?

  12. Is there an official Python API/library for communicating with this PLC, or should I use another protocol/interface?

  13. Can I read PLC data using OPC UA with the X20CP3485-1? If yes, what software/runtime configuration is required?

  14. What is the recommended architecture for continuously collecting PLC data into a SQL Server/MySQL/PostgreSQL database?

  15. Are there any limitations or recommended practices for high-frequency data acquisition from the PLC?

My final objective is:

X20CP3485-1 → Ethernet → Python/C# application → SQL database → Data analysis / AI/ML

I would appreciate any recommendations regarding the correct software versions, communication method, and documentation.

Thank you.

2

Answer generated by AI, but checked. Should be ok : :slight_smile:

A1 → Which Automation Studio version is recommended for the X20CP3485-1?
AS 4.12 (or latest AS 4.x release). This CPU is discontinued in AS 6.x and no longer supported.

A2 → Does Automation Studio V4.12 fully support the X20CP3485-1?
Yes. AS 4.12 supports X20CP3485-1. Ensure your installation includes the latest hardware catalog updates.

A3 → If V4.12 is supported, which Hardware Upgrade / Technology Package is required?
Update your hardware catalog/content packages in AS 4.12 to ensure X20CP3485-1 definitions are present.

A4 → Which Automation Runtime (AR) version is compatible with this CPU?
Check your AS 4.12 project: select the CPU in Configuration View and choose a recommended AR version from the dropdown.You can also use update window to download the latest AR.

A5 → Can I connect to the X20CP3485-1 directly through its Ethernet port from a Windows PC?
Yes. Place your PC in the same subnet as the PLC. Verify network connectivity with ping to the PLC IP address.

A6 → What is the correct procedure in Automation Studio to discover and connect to the PLC over Ethernet?
In AS 4.12: Online → Target Explorer → Broadcast Scan (or add target manually by IP). Select the PLC and Connect. For Ethernet, use ANSL (Automation Net Service Link) protocol.

A7 → Can I upload the existing PLC project/application from the CPU using Automation Studio?
Only if source files were archived on the target. Without a source backup, you get only binary modules. If available, AS can retrieve the archive via Online → Download from Target → Retrieve Source.

A8 → If I don’t have the original project, can I retrieve program, variables, and configuration from the controller?
Partial recovery only:

  • Hardware/I/O config: Yes (via diagnostic tools)
  • Variable declarations: No
  • Source code: No (unless archived on PLC)

Consider reverse-engineering from runtime or contacting system supplier for original sources.

A9 → Is B&R PVI required for Ethernet communication with the X20CP3485-1?
No. PVI is optional. You can use OPC UA (preferred for modern integrations) or PVI (if already licensed). Direct ANSL communication is also possible.

A10 → For a PC application in Python or C#/.NET, what is the recommended B&R communication method?
OPC UA (modern, cross-platform, standard libraries).

You can use e.g. but it is not provided by B&R

  • Python: opcua library (PyPI)

  • C#/.NET: OpcUaClient library or commercial OPC UA SDKs

  • Alternative: PVI (C#/.NET via pvi.dll, older approach)

A11 → Can I use PVI / PVI Manager to read variables from X20CP3485-1 over Ethernet?
Yes, if:

  • PVI is licensed on your system
  • AR includes ANSL support (standard)
  • Symbols/access rights configured on PLC
  • Network connectivity verified

PVI is robust but older; OPC UA is recommended for new projects.

A12 → Is there an official Python API/library for communicating with this PLC?
No official B&R Python SDK. Use OPC UA (standard Python libraries like opcua) — this is the cleanest approach.

A13 → Can I read PLC data using OPC UA with the X20CP3485-1?
Yes, if AR version supports OPC UA server. In your AS project:

  • Configure OPC UA component in Automation Studio
  • Define namespace, variables, security
  • Enable on PLC runtime
  • Connect from PC via OPC UA client

Check AR release notes for OPC UA feature availability in your AR version.

A14 → What is the recommended architecture for continuously collecting PLC data into a SQL database?

Check mappDatabase.

3

Hi @Mayank_2611 ,
Welcome to the B&R Community!

Which Automation Studio version is recommended for the X20CP3485-1?

Does Automation Studio V4.12 fully support the X20CP3485-1?*

AS 4.12 because AS 6 doesn’t support your CPU:

image
image881×460 121 KB

image
image971×336 89.7 KB

If V4.12 is supported, which Hardware Upgrade / Technology Package is required to add the X20CP3485-1 to the project?

I recommend hw upgrade 1.2.0.0 (there is an old one 1.1.6.0)

image
image989×556 85.2 KB

Which Automation Runtime (AR) version is compatible with this CPU?

Oldest one is H3.09, newest I3.10

image
image1171×664 62.9 KB

Can I connect to the X20CP3485-1 directly through its Ethernet port from a Windows PC?

Example: on your laptop you have installed AS 4.12 and you want to transfer the prj to X20CP3485, with the ethernet cable you connect your laptop to X20CPU

Jaroslav has already answered to all of them.

Ciao
Valerio

4

Some additions to earlier replies.
X20CP3485-1 AR I3.10 does not support OPC UA communication.
You will need PVI with INA communication.
You could download the PVI development ( PVI Development Setup | B&R Industrial Automation), which has more information how to use the PVI component in a Visual Studio project.

You could also take a look at PVITransfer tool (also called Runtime Utility Center=RUC).
This tool is part of the PVI Development Setup.
With this tool (if connection is succesfull) you can read the value (and type) of all used variables. This is described in the community post : Upload program from PLC SG2003 - Ask Questions / B&R Software & Runtime - B&R Community

5

Dear all,

Thanks for response.

I want to know one things, whitout touch and doing any modification at site running backup can we take data ?

6

what do you by can we take a data?