Simplify Communications between Hardware with One Device: IDEC’s SX8R

IDEC’s new SX8R Bus Coupler is a compact module that allows automation hardware on different protocols to communicate with one another. This feature allows quicker, more reliable integration between hardware systems and eases some configuration and wiring challenges often encountered during this process.

The SX8R connects a control system on EtherNet/IP and a data collection system over Modbus TCP. Image used courtesy of IDEC

What is a Bus Coupler?

A bus coupler allows communication between different sets of hardware using different protocols. Typically, a bus coupler is deployed when integrating pieces of automation systems from different manufacturers or combining legacy equipment with newly purchased hardware. Using a bus coupler can help create a single control point where all these systems are tied together, greatly simplifying wiring and troubleshooting efforts. Also, by tying systems together, a more consistent synchronization is possible, as the coupler can manage timestamps versus trying to correlate data from multiple clocks.

SX8R Bus Coupler

The SX8R Bus Coupler can be used to build remote I/O systems in such a way as to expand the number of possible I/O ports. Each SX8R can support seven I/O modules and, with an additional power supply, another eight, for a total of fifteen I/O modules. In terms of channel count, this means up to 480 discrete points or up to 120 analog inputs and 60 analog outputs. One properly implemented SX8R can handle quite a bit of I/O traffic reliably and efficiently. All of this capability is built into a physically compact device that connects to these modules through a baseless connection, where modules snap together.

Capable of integrating between EtherNET/IP, Modbus TCP, and CC-Link IE Field Basic, the SX8R handles most of the common industrial protocols. The SX8R is available in two SKUs, ECB1 and ECB4, for screw-in terminals and push-in terminals, respectively. Furthermore, the device itself is designed for rugged environments, withstanding temperatures from -20 C to 65 C, meeting the needs of the refinery and the commercial dairy plant, as well as anything in between.

The SX8R-ECB4 Bus Coupler. The ECB4 designation indicates that this is the “push in terminal” type. Image used courtesy of IDEC

In terms of configuration, there is a software configuration tool that uses “drag and drop” simplicity to set up the important features. The software configuration window has several tiles containing information about the device's physical layout and channel-specific configuration data. The user can simply click on each module and configure the channels as needed.

Applications

The SX8R, with its high channel count and flexibility in accepted protocols, will be used in automation systems where legacy equipment and new purchases are expected to play nicely together. Instead of treating two pieces of hardware as separate systems, this bus coupler can help create a single control point that manages both of them. Ultimately, this can serve any industries that automate their processes, from automotive manufacturing to mining to pharmaceuticals.