Communication Configuration

I/O Devices

Set up communication between the Xpanel and other devices:

1. Select [Tools] → [I/O Devices], or click on the icon in the main toolbar to pop up the ‘I/O Device Configuration’ dialog box.

Open

2. Select [New Device] in the ‘I/O Device Configuration’ dialog box. Enter the ‘I/O Device Name’, then select the ‘I/O Device Type’ (Ethernet or Serial).

Open

Serial Communication Configuration

After selecting [Serial Device] on the ‘I/O Device Selection’ dialog box, the ‘Serial Communication Configuration’ dialog box will pop up as shown below.

Configure the proper communication parameters.

1. Communication Port

Device Type: Select the communication protocol.

Comm. Port: Select a serial communication port for the Xpanel. The port will vary depending on the Xpanel model.

Baud Rate: 300-115200 bps is supported.

Parity: Select the same parity (None, Even, Odd) as the device.

Data Bits: Select the same data bit setting (5 Bits, 6 Bits, 7 Bits, 8 Bits) as the device.

Stop Bit(s): Select the same stop bit setting (1 Bit or 2 Bit) as the device.

RTS/CTS: Select the proper signal control type (OFF, ON, Control) for the device.

Comm. Type: Select the same communication type (RS-232C or RS-422/485) as the device.

Retry No.: Set the number of retries for sending a frame when communication fails.

Time Out: The maximum time to wait with no response before assuming a communication failure.

Using Dial-Up Modem: This option can be selected when using a Dial-Up modem.

Using Transmission Delay: Set a delay time before sending data.

Initialize the Tx Frame When Timeout Occurs: Initialize the sending frame when a Time Out occurs.

2. Station

Move to the [Station] tab of the ‘Serial Communication Configuration’ dialog box, and configure the proper parameters.

Station Name: Enter the station name for the I/O device.

Station Type: Select the device model or CPU which will be connected to the Xpanel.

Station Number: Set the station number. It must match the device’s station number.

Options:

• 16Bit Data Swap: This option swaps bytes for all word- or double-word-sized data. The following diagram shows an example of byte-swapping:

  Almost all data types will be influenced by this option except INT8 / UINT8 / BCD8 / UBCD8.

• 32Bit Data Swap: This option swaps words of all double-word-sized data. The following diagram shows an example of word swapping:

  Tag values with data types INT32 / UINT32 / BCD32 / UBDC32 / FLOAT will be influenced by this option.

• String Data Swap: Swaps the upper and lower bytes of string word data.

• Using CheckSum: Use a CheckSum in the communication protocol.

• Comm. Error Message Pop Up: Use a pop-up message when a communication error occurs.

Ethernet Communication Configuration

After selecting [Ethernet Device] on the ‘I/O Device Selection’ dialog box, the ‘Ethernet Communication Configuration’ dialog box will pop up as shown below.

Configure the proper communication parameters.

1. Communication Port

Device Type: Select the communication protocol.

IP Address: Type the IP address of the device.

Protocol: Select UDP or TCP.

Network ID: Enter the Network ID if required.

Node ID: Enter the Node ID, if required.

Time Out: The maximum time to wait with no response before assuming a communication failure.
This does not apply if you set the communication mode as TCP.

Retry Number: Set the number of retries for sending a frame when communication fails.

Initialize the Tx Frame When Timeout Occurs: Initialize the sending frame when a Time Out occurs.

2. Station

Move to the [Station] tab of the ‘Ethernet Communication Configuration’ dialog box, and configure the proper parameters.

Station Name: Enter the station name for the I/O device.

Station Type: Select the device model or CPU which will be connected to the Xpanel.

Network ID: Enter the Network ID, if required.

Node ID: Enter the Node ID, if required.

Unit ID: Enter the Unit ID, if required.

IP Address: Enter the IP address for connecting to the Xpanel.

Socket Port No.: Enter the socket port number of the device which will be connected to the Xpanel.

Options:

• 16Bit Data Swap: This option swaps bytes for all word- or double-word-sized data. The following diagram shows an example of byte-swapping:

  Almost all data types will be influenced by this option except INT8 / UINT8 / BCD8 / UBCD8.

• 32Bit Data Swap: This option swaps words of all double-word-sized data. The following diagram shows an example of word swapping:

  Tag values with data types INT32 / UINT32 / BCD32 / UBDC32 / FLOAT will be influenced by this option.

• String Data Swap: Swaps the upper and lower bytes of string word data.

• Comm. Error Message Pop Up: Use a pop-up message when a communication error occurs.

• Fixed XPANEL Socket Port: Use a fixed socket port for Xpanel.

Xpanel Socket Port Number: If the ‘Fixed XPANEL Socked Port’ is checked, select the socket port number for the Xpanel.

I/O Device Write Enable: Enables writing to the I/O device.

Data Request Size Limit: When selected, allows maximum data sizes that may be requested by the I/O device.

※ For information on the pinout configuration for Serial and Ethernet, go to the ‘Communication Port Pinouts’ manual.