Fieldbus Gateways
Fieldbus gateways are essential devices in industrial automation, serving as bridges between different communication protocols. They enable seamless data exchange between various types of fieldbus networks and other industrial networks or systems, ensuring interoperability and enhancing the efficiency of automated processes.
What are Fieldbus Gateways?
Fieldbus gateways are crucial components in industrial automation, functioning as vital intermediaries that bridge the gap between diverse communication protocols. These devices are integral for ensuring the smooth and seamless exchange of data across various types of fieldbus networks and other industrial systems. By enabling interoperability, fieldbus gateways enhance the efficiency and reliability of automated processes.
They facilitate robust communication among an array of devices, including sensors, actuators, controllers, and monitoring systems. This capability is particularly important in modern industrial environments, where integrated and automated operations are paramount.
The ability of fieldbus gateways to connect and harmonize different communication protocols not only optimizes the performance of industrial networks but also extends the functionality and lifespan of existing systems. By providing a unified communication platform, these gateways play an indispensable role in the advancement of industrial automation, driving both operational efficiency and technological innovation.
How Do Fieldbus Gateways Work?
Fieldbus gateways operate by translating communication protocols from one type to another, allowing devices that use different protocols to interact. Here’s a basic overview of their functioning:
Protocol Conversion
The gateway receives data from one fieldbus network, converts it into a format compatible with another network, and then transmits it. This conversion can involve changes in data encoding, addressing, and communication sequences.
Data Routing
In addition to conversion, fieldbus gateways also manage data routing. they determine the correct path for data packets between different networks, ensuring that information reaches its intended destination without errors or delays.
Network Management
Some advanced gateways offer network management features, such as monitoring network performance, diagnosing communication issues, and maintaining the integrity of data transmission.
Applications of Fieldbus Gateways in Industry
Fieldbus gateways find applications across a wide range of industries due to their versatility and ability to facilitate communication between diverse systems. Here are some notable applications:
Manufacturing
In manufacturing, fieldbus gateways integrate various automated systems, such as robotic arms, conveyor belts, and assembly lines. They ensure that machines and control systems can communicate effectively, leading to improved productivity, reduced downtime, and enhanced quality control.
Energy and Utilities
Fieldbus gateways facilitate the integration of smart grid components, renewable energy sources, and utility management systems. They enable efficient data exchange and control, supporting the reliable and efficient distribution of energy.
Building Automation
Fieldbus gateways play a crucial role in building automation by linking HVAC systems, lighting controls, security systems, and other building management systems. This integration allows for centralized control and monitoring, leading to energy savings and improved occupant comfort.
Process Automation
Industries like oil and gas, chemical processing, and water treatment rely heavily on fieldbus gateways to connect sensors, actuators, and control systems. These gateways enable real-time data monitoring and control, ensuring the efficient and safe operation of complex processes.
Automotive
In the automotive industry, fieldbus gateways are used to connect various subsystems within vehicles, such as engine control units, transmission systems, and infotainment systems. They ensure reliable and fast communication, enhancing vehicle performance and safety.
Fieldbus Protocols
Fieldbus protocols stand as the unsung heroes orchestrating the symphony of operations. These protocols serve as the backbone of modern industrial networks, enabling the exchange of data between various field devices with precision and efficiency.
Fieldbus protocols come in a myriad of types, each tailored to specific application requirements and operational environments. From the venerable Modbus to the advanced Profibus and the resilient Foundation Fieldbus, the landscape of protocols is as diverse as the industries they serve.
Fieldbus protocols support the communication from input devices and output devices without the need to connect each individual device back to a controller or PLC. Fieldbus defines the wider group of protocols that are used in the industrial environments and has been standardized as IEC61158.
EtherNet/IP
EtherNet/IP is used for communication between connected devices. It enables real-time communication to feed machine data platforms and deliver insights to the user or machine for consumption.
Modbus
Modbus is a method used for transmitting information over serial lines between electronic devices. Originally developed by Modicon for use with their programmable logic PLCs.
Profibus
Profinet is commonly used in critical applications within industrial automation systems. Profinet supports information delivery over a number of communication channels: TCP/IP, UDP/IP, Profinet Real-Time (RT), Profinet Isochronous Real-Time (IRT), and Time Sensitive Networking (TSN).
Profinet
Profinet was primarily designed for industrial automation applications, to enable communication between various sensors, controllers, devices, machinery and software solutions.
CANopen
CANopen is a CAN based communication protocol and was originally designed for motion-oriented machine control systems.
The CANopen standard is useful as it enables off-the-shelf interoperability between nodes in industrial machinery. Further, it provides standard methods for configuring devices, even after installation.
CANbus
CAN (Controller Area Network) bus is a message-based protocol that was originally designed for applications in the automotive industry, but it can be used in various technology fields.
Moxa Fieldbus Gateways
Moxa are your trusted serial partner and have been providing serial connectivity solutions worldwide since 1987. They have invested and developed their wide range of solutions to provide robust, reliable and stable Fieldbus Gateways for use in a wide range of industries.
Moxa are dedicated to their serial connectivity solutions and have made three commitments to ensure that you serial device reamins operation in current and future systems.
Moxa, Your Trusted Serial Partner
Commitment to Longevity
Moxa are commited to ensyuring a stable supply and availablity of their serial solutions which also expanding their current offerings to meet the new serial connectivity needs until the year 2035 and beyond.
Commitment to New Technology
They are also commited to investing in new technology for self-owned serial ASICs and drivers. This ensures full compatibility with legacy devices and systems alongside seamless integration of new solutions.
Commitment to Cybersecurity
All Moxa serial-to-Ethernet devices are IEC62443-4-2 compliant, and this is a commitment which is bolstered by offering security patch updates for all current devices, providing yiu with peace of mind.
Discover all Moxa Fieldbus Gateways
Advantech Fieldbus Gateways
Advantech offers a wide range of protocol converters which allow the conversion of different legacy protocols and interfaces to modern netowrking systems.
These industrial Fieldbus gateways provide seamless communication between Fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet devices. As well as this, they also support other protocols such as Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, BACnet, and OPC UA.
Utilise Advantech's Fieldbus gateways to connect to nearly any 3rd-party serial devices without baud rate limitation. Their embedded analysis tool also allows the device servers to auto-detect and catogrize the connected device based on their baud rate settings.
Discover all Advantech Fieldbus Gateways
Types of Fieldbus Gateways
Below are the types of Fieldbus Gateways available from IIoTzone.com. Each device has been separated by one of the Protocols available for that device, whether it is Protocol A or B.
Moxa
Modbus Gateways
Moxa
PROFINET Gateways
Moxa
EtherNet/IP Gateways
Discover More
Discover more about our range of Fieldbus Gateways and how our solutions can help solve any serial connectivity needs you may have. Contact us using the short form below and one of our experts will call you back to discuss your requirements and porovide you with a quotation for your upcoming project.
