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:
- X20BC0043-10 – Straight-Line 5-Pin Connector.
- X20BC0143-10 – 9-pin DSUB Connector.
- X67BC4321-10
- X67BC4321.L12-10
- X90BC124.32-00 – Rugged Mobile Bus Controller.
- Interface modules for expandable X20 Bus Bases that allow easy communication between B&R PLCs and CANopen devices:
- X20IF1041-1 – CANopen master interface.
- X20IF1043-1 – CANopen slave interface.
- PCI communication modules for use in Automation PCs:
- 5ACPCI.XCOM-00 – CANopen master.
- 5ACPCI.XCOS-00 – CANopen slave.
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:
- X20BC0063 – 9-pin DSUB Connector.
- X67BC6321
- X67BC6321.L08
- X67BC6321.L12
- Interface modules for expandable X20 Bus Bases that allow easy communication between B&R PLCs and PROFIBUS devices:
- X20IF1061-1 – V0/V1 master interface.
- X20IF1063 – V0 slave interface.
- X20IF1063-1 – V1 slave interface.
- PCI communication modules for use in Automation PCs:
- 5ACPCI.XDPM-00 – 1 PROFIBUS DP master.
- 5ACPCI.XDPS-00 – 1 PROFIBUS DP slave.
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:
- X20IF10E1-1 – PROFINET master.
- X20IF10E3-1 – PROFINET slave.
- PCI communication modules for use in Automation PCs:
- 5ACPCI.XPNM-00 – PROFINET controller.
- 5ACPCI.XPNS-00 – PROFINET device.
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:
- 5ACPCI.XDNM-00 – DeviceNet master.
- 5ACPCI.XDNS-00 – DeviceNet slave.