Connect FrameworX to PLCs and field devices to acquire real-time data. This tutorial uses a simulated Modbus device, but the concepts apply to all protocols.
Overview
Connect FrameworX to PLCs and field devices to acquire real-time data. This tutorial uses a simulated Modbus device, but the concepts apply to all protocols.
What You'll LearnModbus Device (Tutorial) teaches you to:
- Configure communication channels
- Add device nodes
- Map device addresses to tags
- Monitor communication status
Prerequisites:
In this page:
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Create Device
" tutorialChannel
- Navigate to Devices → ChannelsProtocols
- Select Modbus
- Add new channel:
- Name:
ModbusChannel - Protocol:
Modbus Master - Settings:
- Interface: TCP/IP
- Port: 502
- Timeout: 3000ms
- Name:
Add Device Node
- Go to Devices → Nodes
- Create node:
- Name:
PLC1 - Channel:
ModbusChannel - Station: IP Address (use 127.0.0.1 for simulator)
- Device ID: 1
- Name:
Create Device Points
- Navigate to Devices → Points
- Add points:
Digital Input:
- Name:
PLC1_DI_001 - Node:
PLC1 - Address:
10001(Modbus coil) - Data Type: Digital
Analog Input:
- Name:
PLC1_AI_001 - Node:
PLC1 - Address:
30001(Modbus input register) - Data Type: Integer
- Scaling: Enable if needed
Map Devices Points to Tags
Method 1 - Direct Mapping:- Go to Unified Namespace → Tags
- Select existing tagIn Device column, select: PLC1_AI_001
Method 2 - Auto-create Tags:
- In Devices → Points
- Select points
- Right-click → Create Tags
- Tags created with same names
- In Address column: N0001
Starting Modbus Device Simulator
For testing without real hardware:
- Devices → Protocols
- Select Modbus
- Start Simulator
- Monitor values, input values
Step 5:
Test Communication
- Start Runtime (F5)
- Open Devices → Monitor
- Check status:
- Green = Connected
- Red = Error
- Yellow = Timeout
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Check |
|---|---|
| No connection | Firewall, IP address, port |
| Wrong values | Address offset, data type |
| Intermittent | Timeout settings, network |
| No updates | Polling rate, scan groups |
Using Device Simulator
For testing without real hardware:
- Devices → Tools → Simulator
- Select protocol matching your channel
- Start simulator
- Values update automatically
Best Practices
- Test with simulator first
- Use meaningful point names
- Group related points
- Set appropriate scan rates
- Document address mapping
Next Steps
- [Connect to a PLC] - Specific PLC brands
- [Define Alarms] - Alarm on device values
- [Historian] - Log device data
In this section...
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