Communication Protocol Devices

Hi everyone!

Here’s a list of devices used to allow B&R controllers to communicate through some common fieldbus protocols. This list is not exhaustive, so if you don’t see exactly what you need, be sure to check the B&R website.


For every family of B&R controller, you can find a PLC/Interface Card that will support at least one (usually a combination) of the following protocols:

  • POWERLINK – The go-to protocol for communication between B&R devices. Almost every B&R PLC or drive you see will have a dedicated Powerlink port.
  • X2X Link – The backplane protocol mainly used for communication between B&R’s I/O modules.
  • Ethernet – All B&R controllers will have at least 1 ethernet port. Powerlink ports can also be configured as ethernet ports.
  • Common Serial protocols such as:
    • CAN – (Use the ArCan library to transmit and receive CAN messages)
    • RS232 – (Use the DVFrame library to exchange data)
    • RS485 – (Use the DVFrame library to exchange data)
    • USB – (Use the AsUSB library)

 

Other Common Communication Protocols:

OPC UA

  • All B&R Controllers (SG4) with an ethernet port can communicate via OPC UA. It is enabled in the controller configuration in Automation Studio.
  • X20BC008U – Bus Controller that enables an OPC UA client to use B&R I/O modules.

Ethernet/IP

  • All B&R Controllers (SG4) with an ethernet port can communicate via EIP using the AsEthIP library.
  • X20BC0088 – Bus Controller that enables an EIP scanner to use B&R I/O modules.
  • X67BCD321.L12 – Bus Controller that enables an EIP scanner to use B&R I/O modules.
  • X20IF10D1-1 – Interface module for expandable X20 Bus Bases that acts as an EIP scanner; allows easy communication between B&R PLC and EIP adapter.
  • X20IF10D3-1 – Interface module for expandable X20 Bus Bases that acts as an EIP adapter; allows easy communication between B&R PLC and EIP scanner.

Modbus/TCP

  • Any ethernet port on a B&R controller (SG4) can be enabled to use Modbus/TCP as either a master or a slave. Data can then be processed using the AsMbTCP or AsMbTCPS libraries.
  • X20BC0087 – X20 Bus Controller that enables a Modbus TCP or -UDP master to use B&R I/O modules.
  • X67BCJ321.L12 – X67 Bus Controller that enables a Modbus TCP or -UDP master to use B&R I/O modules.

CANopen

  • Most B&R PLCs that support CAN will also support CANopen. Use the AsCANopen library.
  • Bus Controllers – Enable CANopen devices to use B&R I/O modules:
  • Interface modules for expandable X20 Bus Bases that allow easy communication between B&R PLCs and CANopen devices:
  • PCI communication modules for use in Automation PCs:

PROFIBUS

  • Use the AsPROFIBUS library to further interact with PROFIBUS comms inside applications.
  • Bus Controllers – Enable PROFIBUS devices to use B&R I/O modules:
  • Interface modules for expandable X20 Bus Bases that allow easy communication between B&R PLCs and PROFIBUS devices:
  • PCI communication modules for use in Automation PCs:

PROFINET

  • X20BC00E3 – X20 Bus Controller that enables PROFINET devices to use B&R I/O modules.
  • X67BCE321.L12 – X67 Bus Controller that enables PROFINET devices to use B&R I/O modules.
  • Interface modules for expandable X20 Bus Bases that allow easy communication between B&R PLCs and PROFINET devices:
  • PCI communication modules for use in Automation PCs:

EtherCAT

  • X20BC00G3 – X20 Bus Controller that enables an EtherCAT master to use B&R I/O modules.
  • X67BCG321.L12 – X67 Bus Controller that enables an EtherCAT master to use B&R I/O modules.
  • X20IF10G3-1 – Interface module for expandable X20 Bus Bases that acts as an EtherCAT slave; allows easy communication between B&R PLC and EtherCAT master.
  • X20IF10G1-1 – Interface module for expandable X20 Bus Bases that acts as an EtherCAT master; allows easy communication between B&R PLC and EtherCAT slave.

DeviceNet

  • X20IF1051-1 – Interface module for expandable X20 Bus Bases that acts as a DeviceNet scanner (master); allows easy communication between B&R PLC and DeviceNet adapter (slave).
  • X20IF1053-1 – Interface module for expandable X20 Bus Bases that acts as a DeviceNet adapter (slave); allows easy communication between B&R PLC and DeviceNet scanner (master).
  • PCI communication modules for use in Automation PCs:
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