I/O Modules - iSMA Configurator - Modbus RTU - Automatic device search

The following article describes how to automatically search for multiprotocol I/O modules in iSMA Configurator using Modbus RTU protocol. Before starting the search, prepare a PC with a Windows operating system, a USB - RS485 converter and download the iSMA Configurator program from iSMA CONTROLLI Download Center.

1. Configuration of the connection

First, open the iSMA Configurator program (you do not need to install it as it is of 'portable' type). In the side navigation bar, there is a list of supported protocols, after right-clicking on 'Modbus RS485' a drop-down list will appear. The 'Configure Connection' option allows for configuration Modbus RTU communication parameters. In the pop-up window in the 'Port' tab, select the number of the COM port to which the USB-RS485 converter is connected. The RS485 network parameters such as 'Baudrate', 'Parity', 'Data bits' and 'Stop bits' must have the same value as in the searched devices.

Picture 1. 'Configure Connection' pop-up window.

2. The search process

After configuring the connection string, you can start the search process. To do this, right-click on 'Modbus RS485' and select 'Discover Modbus RS485 Devices', a pop-up window will appear as shown in the picture below, confirm by clicking 'Ok'.

Picture 2. 'Discover devices' pop-up window.

The next window allows for specifying the range of Modbus addresses to be searched. This allows you to speed up the execution time of the process.

Picture 3. Pop-up window allowing to limit the range of searched addresses.

After entering the address range and confirming it with the 'Discover' button, the search process will start, as indicated by a pop-up window with a progress bar. After completing the process, the program informs the user about the number of devices found.

Picture 4. 'Finished' pop-up window.

iSMA Configurator program searches for all 'BACnet' devices in the network. List of multiprotocol I/O modules will appear in the device tree under 'BACnet MSTP' with the appropriate name, e.g. 'MIX38', unrecognized devices will contain the word 'Unknown' in the name field.

Picture 5. The search result.