New, fast Profibus gateway for I/O blocks
Control and automation specialist Mitsubishi Electric has enhanced the flexibility of its FX family of control products with the launch of a Profibus/DP gateway module.
The FX2N-32DP-IF module enables users to connect standard FX series I/O blocks directly onto a Profibus network, without the need for a local PLC. Therefore, users can standardise on a single control platform for both PLC I/O and remote I/O.
The ability to standardise on a single I/O format simplifies overall system installation and commissioning, whilst also delivering significant stock savings since the same I/O modules can be used for both PLC installations and remote I/O.
The module enables connection of up to 256 controllable I/O points, offering robust and reliable high-speed communications. And whilst traditional Profibus slaves operate with a network capacity of 32 bytes per slave installation, the FX-32DP-IF can operate with 200 bytes per slave station, supporting users who want analogue devices and temperature sensors, etc. on their remote stations.
The new module is very fast: it allows a maximum data rate of 12,000kbits per second over communication distances below 100m. Although data rate drops off with distance, the maximum possible segment distance of 1,200m delivers impressive flexibility in remote I/O applications. DP
