This document describes the MODBUS communication driver for Canvas. This driver supports the RTU (serial) version of the MODBUS protocol.
Communication Settings: Canvas
I/O Device Configuration
| To create a new device, click Tools > I/O Device Editor… > click the + icon > click Serial for Connection Type > select Modbus RTU for Device Type. |
I/O Device Settings
| Once the connection type, device name, and device type have been assigned, the I/O Device Editor window populates with the default settings for the selected communication protocol. After selecting the correct Connection Type and Device Type, match the remaining settings to the target I/O device’s communication settings. |
Station | In this window, users can assign a Station Name and ID for the target I/O Device. |
See the Serial Communication Configuration section for more information.
Communication Settings: PLC
Communication Module | If using one of the following PLC modules to communicate with Xpanel, the card settings must be configured in CICON as shown below:
Note that the CH 1 tab is for usage with RS232 connections, while the CH 2 tab is for usage with RS485 connections. All communication parameters must match the settings chosen during the I/O device configuration in Canvas. Once the correct parameters have been entered, click Write while online with the PLC to update the communication parameters. |
CPU Built-in Communication Port | If using a built-in CPU (PLC) serial port to communicate with Xpanel, the channel settings must be configured in CICON as shown below: This connection option is available with the following models:
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Address Notation
The memory areas listed below are provided for general purposes. The actual available memory area and range of each area should be checked with the manual for the connecting device. The ‘Read’/’Write’ columns show the MODBUS function codes used in this communication driver.
The symbol character has to be placed in the first position of the address string. The address number follows the symbol character.
The following table shows the list of valid address ranges and used MODBUS function codes for each address area:
Area | Symbol | Analog Tag | Digital Tag | Read | Write |
Coil Status | 0 |
| 000001 - 0299991 | 1 | 5 |
Input Status | 1 |
| 100001 - 129999 | 2 |
|
Holding Register | 4 | 400001 - 429999 |
| 3 | 6, 162 |
Input Register | 3 | 300001 - 329999 |
| 4 |
|
The symbol character does not behave as a number. For example, 400100 and 40100 designate the same memory area (holding register 100).
Code 16 is issued for writing double words or when the recipe write function is activated. When writing single words, code 6 is used.
Communication Cable Wiring
XPANEL COM/CPM2 RS-232C | |
XPANEL COM1 RS-422/485 |
The above picture shows the RS-232C and RS-422/485 ports of the Xpanel. Please refer to the manual of your device for signal descriptions.
For the RS-232C ports, Xpanel provides the standard DB9 RS-232C pin assignment. Typically RD, TD, and SG pins are enough to communicate with a general MODBUS device.