Niagara - Modbus Gateway - MINI/MIX integration

The article outlines how to configure the Niagara N4 station in few steps to use the Modbus Gateway function in iSMA-B-MINI/MIX modules with IP extension.

WARNING: In Nigara official releases of 4.6 and 4.7 versions, the ModbusTCPGateway component (from the modbusTCP module) contains a bug, which makes the device with an indicated IP address to open as many TCP sockets as the ModbusTCPGatewayDevices have been created. In the background it operates as a regular ModbusTcpNetwork. For this reason, if working on the 4.6 and 4.7 Niagara versions, before following the below steps of configuration, it is recommended to download the correct version of the .jar module, which includes a bug fix, and install it on the PC: Modbus TCP Gateway.

1. If using the iSMA-B-MAC-36NL controller, go to the platform, Software Manager, and install the modbusTCP-rt and modbusTCP-wb modules.

2. After installing the modules, reboot the controller in the Application Director or Platform Administration (from platform level), even if it has already been done (automatically or upon confirmation). It is required because of the Niagara system problems while installing a new driver, which may not start, or may work improperly, without a manual reboot.

3. After rebooting the controller and logging in to the station, open the modbusTcp module in the Palette window.

Figure 1. Contents of the modbusTcp module.

4. Next, drag&drop the ModbusTcpGateway component from the palette to the Config/Drivers in the navTree.

5. Go to the AX Property Sheet view. In the Ip Address slot, enter the IP address of the iSMA-B module, which acts as a Modbus TCP/RS485. Confirm with the Save button.

Figure 2. The Ip Address slot default value.

6. Open the ModbusTcpGateway component in the Modbus Tcp Gateway Device Manager view. Add all devices connected to the iSMA-B gateway: use the New button and select the Modbus Tcp Gateway Device from a drop-down list; enter the number of added devices and the address of the first device (the rest will be numbered and addressed automatically).

Figure 3. Adding Modbus Tcp Gateway Devices with 10-12 Modbus addresses.

7. Upon the OK confirmation, another pop-up window appears, allowing to set names to devices and edit basic configuration parameters (e.g., correct Modbus addresses of added devices).

Figure 4. Editing of default configuration of newly added Modbus Tcp Gateway Devices.

8. Upon the OK confirmation, the added devices will be communicated with using the Modbus Gateway through the iSMA-B-MINI/MIX module with IP extension.