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Modbus Slave Driver

for Field Device Systems Integrator Modules

The Field Device System Integrator (FDSI) Modbus

Slave driver is designed to smoothly integrate single
Modbus devices using several different Modbus
protocols into an I/A Series® system.

OVERVIEW
The Field Device System Integrator (FDSI) Modbus Slave driver enables the integration of
vendor independent single-ported Modbus device using one of several Modbus protocols into
an I/A Series system.

The Modbus Slave driver allows the I/A Series system to obtain real-time data from attached
Modbus devices, manipulate the data using state-of-the-art control algorithms, and make
output data available for attached devices to read. The Modbus Slave driver is downloaded to
Features of the FDSI
the appropriate FBM, and allows the FBM to translate the data sent to the I/A Series system
Modbus Slave driver are: from the field device or vice-versa.
w Integration of single port Modbus devices into
an I/A Series system at the fieldbus level
MODBUS SLAVE DRIVER BENEFITS
w Exchange of real-time data between Using the Modbus Slave driver with FDSI FBMs provides the benefits described in the
Modbus devices and the I/A Series system following subsections.
w Compliance with the globally accepted and
widely used Modbus communication standard Easy Integration of Modbus Devices
w Simplex (FBM230 or 232) operation of FDSI
The Modbus Slave driver allows you to include new or existing Modbus-compliant devices in
Fieldbus Modules your process, regardless of device manufacturer. Incorporating an open communication
w Support for three Modbus protocols: Modbus
standard like Modbus in your system provides a wide range of options when selecting the
RTU and Modbus ASCII protocols for serial best field devices for your process.
devices, and Modbus/TCP for Ethernet
devices I/A Series System Support
w Optionally available vendor-specific device The I/A Series system supports three protocols for communication with Modbus devices:
variations of Modbus drivers Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, and Modbus/TCP. For FBMs 230 either Modbus RTU or
w FDSI hardware provides a barrier for network
Modbus ASCII are separately configurable on each port. This support accommodates the
security issues transfer of data to and from both single-ported Modbus devices, via a serial or Ethernet con-
w Availability of standard I/A Series plant
nection. I/A Series software also provides standard plant management functions and operator
management functions and operator displays displays for these devices, in addition to startup and communication fault detection
to Modbus devices and display using System Monitor.
w System Monitor detection of Modbus device
connectivity. Flexibility
The Modbus/TCP protocol uses Ethernet and TCP/IP technologies. The simplicity and low
cost of Ethernet hardware combined with the high speeds and reliability characterized by
Ethernet networks greatly improves plant efficiency and provides the flexibility required to
constantly keep up with changing technology. Using an Ethernet network, you can provide
remote access to process data over the network.
HARDWARE
Devices with which the FDSI FBMs can successfully communicate are single port Modbus device that support any of
the three Modbus communication protocols. Depending on which Modbus devices and methods of communication you
are using you need one of the following FDSI FBMs.

FBM230
The FBM230 is equipped with four ports, each of which can be configured to use either the RS-232, RS-422, or RS-
485 physical interface standard. The FBM230 supports single-ported devices utilizing either the Modbus RTU or
Modbus ASCII communication protocols, and provides a serial interface between the I/A Series system and the
devices. Refer to PSS 21H-2Z30 B4.

FBM232
The FBM232 supports single-ported devices utilizing the Modbus/TCP communication protocol, and provides an
Ethernet interface between the I/A Series system and the devices. Refer to PSS 21H-2Z32 B4.

Diagnostics
The driver can be configured to monitor for loss of communication with the device. Since the FDSI acts as a Modbus
Slave, it does not initiate any connections, nor does it send any commands. The FDSI only responds to scan requests
and the driver can be configured to indicate failure of communication with the device for a specific amount of time.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical configuration in which a simplex FBM230 is communicating with serial Modbus devices.
Figure 2 illustrates a typical configuration in which an FBM is communicating with Ethernet Modbus devices.

Figure 1. Simplex Ethernet Configuration Figure 2. Simplex Serial Configuration

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SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
The Modbus Slave driver is compatible with all releases of I/A V8.0.b or later.

MODBUS SLAVE DEVICE DRIVER OPERATION

Modbus “function codes” specify the types of actions the Modbus Slave devices must perform. The following Modbus
function codes are supported by the FDSI Modbus Slave Driver:
Function Code Description
*Data diagnostic code only.
01 Read Coil Status
After the appropriate DCI blocks and ECBs are
configured, and device communication enabled, 02 Read Input Status
the FDSI FBM waits for any modbus commands
and send appropriate replies. On receiving a 03 Read Holding Registers
“write” command from a device the driver updates
a local modbus database in FDSI and update also 04 Read Input Registers
appropriate I/A DCI blocks. Data can also be writ-
ten from be I/A output blocks to be modbus data- 05 Force Single Coil
base in the FDSI. The driver reads from this data-
base and provide responses for scan messages 06 Preset Single Register
from devices.
08* Loopback Diagnostic Test
Installation and Download 15 Force Multiple Coils
Installation of the driver does not require shutting down the I/A
Series software or rebooting the I/A Series workstation. 16 Preset Multiple Registers
Furthermore, any updated driver can be downloaded to the FBM or
FBM pair without disrupting the rest of the I/A Series system.

CONFIGURATION
To configure the FDSI Modbus Slave driver, you must use the FDSI Configurator software, which can be
installed on a workstation running the Windows XP® operating system. The FDSI Configurator is required for
configuring FBM serial and Ethernet port properties and communication settings.

PRODUCT SUPPORT
The Modbus Slave Field Device System Integrator Software Driver includes 90 days of Customer Support
Service with the most recent version of I/A Series at the time of shipment. No guarantee is made or implied that
Custom Products be compatible with future products or product versions. The product also includes product
media and documentation. Engineering assistance can be provided through the normal channels.

SPECIFICATIONS
Protocols
The Modbus Slave driver offers support for the following protocols:
w Modbus RTU protocol (for serial devices)
w Modbus ASCII protocol (for serial devices)
w Modbus/TCP protocol (for Ethernet devices)

For additional information, refer to the following Modbus protocol documentation:

w Modicon Modbus Protocol Reference Guide Modbus RTU and Modbus ASCII protocols) PI-MBUS–300
Rev. J, MODICON, Inc. Industrial Automation Systems, June 1996
w Open Modbus/TCP Specification (Modbus/TCP protocol) Release 1.0, Schneider Electric, March 1999.

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 Register Address Support
The Modbus Slave driver supports both five digit and six digit register addresses.

Data Type and Format

The Modbus Slave driver accepts data from devices in big endian or little endian format;
data format is configurable.

Number of Devices
Since the FDSI acts as a Modbus Slave, FBM 232 appears as one device on the ethernet port.
The FBM 230 can provide four slave devices on each of the serial ports.

Control Block Support

Distributed Control Interface (DCI) blocks can be mapped to modbus address locations.
The Modbus driver offers control block support for the following ECBs and standard DCI block types:

ECB200 Parent ECB, representing the BIN Binary Input

FBM230 or FBM232
BOUT Binary Output
ECB2002 Parent ECB, representing the
FBM231 or FBM233
IIN Integer Input
IOUT Integer Output
ECB201 Child ECB, representing a device
BINR Redundant Binary Input block

Table 1. ECBs Supported by the Modbus Slave Driver

RIN Real Input DCIblock
ROUT Real Output
RINR Redundant Real Input DCI block

PAKIN Packed Input block

PAKOUT Packed Output block
PLSOUT Pulse Output block
Table 2. DCI Blocks Supported by the Modbus Slave Driver

Contact your sales representative for instructions

on how to order the Modbus Slave Driver for Field
Device System Integrator Modules today.

Invensys
Process Systems
Foxboro, MA 02035 - 2099
Outside US: 1-508-549-2424
US: 1-866-746-6477
Fax: 1-508-549-4999
www.foxboro.com

Invensys, Foxboro, and I/A Series are trademarks of Invensys

plc, its subsidiaries, and affiliates. All other brand names
maybe trademarks of their respective owners.

Copyright 2006 Invensys Systems, Inc.

All rights reserved. June 2006

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