New Anybus gateway makes Modbus devices talk BACnet

The new Anybus BACnet to Modbus gateway makes it possible to connect Modbus devices to a BACnet network. The gateway handles conversion between Modbus (RTU, ASCII, and TCP) and BACnet/IP and makes each connected Modbus device appear as a BACnet compliant device on the BACnet network.

As BACnet networks are increasingly being used in buildings and infrastructure installations, there is also an increasing demand for integrating devices that communicate on Modbus into BACnet networks. Therefore, HMS now presents the Anybus BACnet to Modbus gateway. This gateway works as a translator between the two networks allowing Modbus RTU, ASCII and TCP-devices to show up as individual BACnet-compliant devices on a BACnet/IP network. This enables central BACnet control and supervision of Modbus devices such as drives, HVAC controllers and measuring equipment in building installations.

Making BACnet system integration easier
“The Anybus BACnet to Modbus gateway gives system integrators and building owners more flexibility as they now can use Modbus devices in BACnet projects as well,” comments Markus Bladh, Product Manager at HMS. “The gateway is also a good fit for machine builders who want to offer their products to the building automation market. We are seeing an increasing general market demand to connect Modbus devices to BACnet networks, and this new gateway adds yet another gateway combination to the over 300 Anybus gateways already available off the shelf for fieldbus and industrial Ethernet connectivity.“

How the gateway works
Two ports are available on the gateway to connect to serial Modbus (RTU and ASCII) and Ethernet (BACnet/IP and Modbus TCP). When connected, users will benefit from a free library of common Modbus device profiles in order to quickly establish communication between the networks. HMS also provides a straight-forward tool with instructions on how to create device profiles for Modbus devices not yet covered by the library. Commissioning and troubleshooting is done in the included web interface.

The new Anybus gateway is available as of October 1st 2014.

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