I have a Blackline MiniControl that I want to communicate with over the built in serial port on the CPU, it’s a CP32 with a configurable serial port. The software I’m using was written by former controls engineers at our company and runs and communicates fine at customer sites. The units I have won’t communicate for some reason, I have the correct jumpers installed between TX+ and RX+ and TX- and RX- and they are running straight to my mininet master. Does anybody have some insight on if there’s additional things that have to be wired before the minicontrol will start serial communication? Maybe a common somewhere?
The B&R Blackline MiniControl is a legacy series of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) manufactured by B&R Industrial Automation (now a part of ABB). Introduced in the 1990s, the “Blackline” moniker refers to the distinctive black plastic housing used for this generation, which predates the “blue” aesthetic of later systems like the B&R 2003, 2005, and X20 series.
System Characteristics
The MiniControl was designed as a compact, modular automation solution for small to mid-sized machines.
Modular Architecture: The system typically consists of a power supply module (NT), a CPU module (CP), and various I/O modules that snap together.
Processor (CP32): The CP32 (or MCCP32) is a specific CPU module within the MiniControl family. It features integrated processing capabilities and an RS-232 port for programming and serial communication.
Maintenance-Free Design: Like many B&R products, these units were often designed to be fanless, reducing mechanical failure points in industrial environments.
Technical Components
Common components found in a MiniControl assembly include:
NT30 / NTCP Power Supplies: Modules that provide 24V DC power to the CPU and internal bus.
I/O Modules: Examples include the E16A (16 digital inputs) and A12A/A12C (12 digital outputs).
Programming Port: An RS-232 interface used for connecting to a PC.
Programming and Support
The MiniControl series is considered obsolete and is no longer in active production, though many units remain in operation worldwide.
Software: These controllers are programmed using Prosys, a legacy software suite that has since been replaced by B&R’s Automation Studio.
Connection: Programming requires a proprietary cable, specifically the BRKAOL5-1, to establish communication between the PC’s serial port and the PLC.
Yes, the B&R CP32 CPU module for the Blackline MiniControl series supports RS-485 communication.
The CP32 is typically part of a MiniControl Base Unit C (such as model MCGE232-022M), which is specifically equipped with a serial RS-485/TTY application interface in addition to its standard processing capabilities.
Serial Interface Specifications
According to technical documentation from B&R legacy support sources, the CP32 features the following for serial communication:
Integrated Interface: The module includes a dedicated serial application interface that can be configured for RS-485, RS-422, or TTY.
Data Rates: While specific baud rates vary by exact configuration, similar legacy B&R CPU application interfaces (like the CP152/153) supported up to 347 kBaud for RS-485/RS-422 connections.
Isolation: These application interfaces are typically electrically isolated, providing protection against industrial noise and ground loops.
Connector: The interface is usually a 9-pin D-type (DB9) female connector.
Programming and Libraries
To implement RS-485 communication on a CP32, you will likely need to use the following:
DVFrame Library: This is the standard B&R library used to manage serial data exchange (sending/receiving frames) over RS-485.
Prosys Software: As a legacy Blackline component, the CP32 is typically programmed using the older Prosys software rather than modern Automation Studio [previous response].
Are you sure you have configured serial port in correct way? Parity, Baud rate, stop bits…
Do you have a serial sniffer? Normally I use that to be sure I’m sending and receiving correct messages.
Ciao
Valerio
