Gateways and Couplers
There is some confusion in the industry about these two terms. In general, they both provide a method for ‘joining’ two different networks. Strictly speaking, gateways provide a protocol conversion from one protocol to another. A coupler provides a way for two networks to share information – normally by having it be a ‘slave’ on both networks and sharing information via dual-ported RAM.
Couplers are simpler and safer. There is no way to get from one network to the other when using a coupler. Gateways typically do have a way for software packages to get from one network to the other.
Please contact us and we can help you select the best Gateway or Coupler for your application and provide a quote.
PROFIBUS Gateways
Anybus PROFIBUS DP to PA gateway
Anybus Diagnostics (formerly PROCENTEC) COMBRICK can also be an invisible gateway from PROFIBUS DP to PROFIBUS PA. This is an excellent way of connecting PROFIBUS PA instruments to your main DP network.
The transparent PROFIBUS PA link/coupler enables seamless high speed integration to PROFIBUS PA. It powers the attached PA devices and fully emulates them as DP devices on the backplane. Adjusted bus parameters are not required and therefore suitable for all DCS and PLC systems, even running on 12 Mbps.
Order code: Anybus PROFIBUS PA gateway: 101-201610
Helmholz NetLink Pro Compact Ethernet to Profibus gateway
The NETLink PRO Compact is a communications processor in the plug format for programming, visualization, and remote maintenance. It combines flexibility and a compact design. Power is supplied to the NETL ink® either through the CPU of the automation device or externally with DC 24 V as an option. The network connection can be used with any standard Cat-5 cable, making cable lengths up to 100 meters feasible without additional components.
Order code: Helmholz NetLink Pro: 700-884-MPI21
PROFIBUS couplers
Helmholz DP to DP coupler
The DP/DP coupler connects two PROFIBUS DP networks with one another and enables data transmission between the masters of the two DP networks.
The maximum size of the transmitted data is 244 bytes of input data and 244 bytes of output data. The DP/DP coupler is configured within the hardware configurator. A GSD file or external parameterization software is not necessary.
Order code: Helmholz DP to DP coupler: 700-158-0AD02
Helmholz DP to PN coupler
With the DP/PN Coupler, a simple and uncomplicated connection of PROFIBUS to PROFINET is possible. It allows data transfer between a PROFIBUS master and a PROFINET controller. The maximum size of the transmitted data is 244 bytes of input data and 244 bytes of output data. The DP/PN Coupler is projected via a GSD file on the PROFIBUS side and a GSDML file on the PROFINET side. No additional configuration software is necessary.
Order code: Helmholz DP to PN coupler: 700-158-3DP02
Ethernet couplers
Helmholz PROFINET to PROFINET coupler
With the PN/PN Coupler, a simple and uncomplicated connection of two separate PROFINET networks is possible. The PN/PN Coupler enables data transmission between two PROFINET controllers. A PROFINET IO device is on both PROFINET network sides. Received input data on one of the network sides is made available as output data to the other network side. The IO data transfer takes place live and as quickly as possible without additional handling blocks.
Order code: Helmholz PN to PN coupler: 700-158-3PN02
Helmholz PROFINET to EtherNet/IP coupler
With the PN/EtherNetIP Coupler, a simple and uncomplicated connection of a PROFINET machine to an EtherNet/IP machine is possible. The PN/EtherNetIP Coupler allows data transmission between a PROFINET controller and an EtherNet/IP PLC.
Received input data on one side of the network are made available as output data on the other side of the network to the PLC. The I/O data exchange takes place live and as fast as possible without further handling blocks.
Order code: Helmholz PN to EtherNet/IP coupler: 700-160-3EN02
Helmholz PROFINET to ModbusTCP coupler
Simple and uncomplicated connection of a PROFINET network with a ModbusTCP network is possible with the PN/ModbusTCP Coupler. The PN/ModbusTCP Coupler enables data transmission between a PROFINET controller and ModbusTCP participants. Received input data on one of the network sides is made available as output data to the other network side. The IO data transfer takes place live and as quickly as possible without additional handling blocks.
Order code: Helmholz PN to ModbusTCP coupler: 700-159-3MB02
Helmholz PROFINET to EtherCAT coupler
With the PN/EtherCAT Coupler a simple and uncomplicated connection of a PROFINET machine to an EtherCAT machine is possible. The PN/EtherCAT Coupler allows the data transfer between a PROFINET controller and an EtherCAT master.
Received output data on one of the network sides are made available to the PLC on the other network side as input data. The cyclic I/O data exchange comprises a maximum of 600 bytes per direction and takes place as fast as possible without any handling blocks.
Order code: Helmholz PN to EtherCAT coupler: 700-161-3EC02
Ethernet (PROFINET or Modbus TCP or HART-IP) to HART gateway
isNet Lite Headstation
The isNet Lite is an Ethernet gateway. It supports the PROFINET, MODBUS TCP and HART over IP protocols. Depending on the application the isNet Lite is always used together with one or more fieldbus modules, where the isNet Lite is always the head module. Up to five different fieldbus modules can be connected to the isNet Lite.
You need a driver in the isNet Lite. It comes with HART over IP which will allow you to connect to HART instruments using any FDT or anything that has the HART IP server built in like SIMATIC PDM. In addition, you can add a license for either PROFINET or Modbus TCP by purchasing them.
Order code: Thorsis isNet Lite: 19300-0101
isNet H@RT8 + AI module
The isNet H@RT8 + AI is a HART analog input module. It provides a 24V voltage source for connected HART field devices and it can measure the 4..20mA loop current for every HART slave. The module provides the process data to the isNet Lite Ethernet head module and to the higher level Ethernet fieldbusses like PROFINET or Modbus-TCP for further processing.
Different from the isNet H@rt8 Modules, every HART field device will be connected to the isNet H@rt8+AI by just 2 wires, which helps to keep the cabling simple.
Order code: Thorsis isNet H@RT8 +AI: 19300-0702
isNet H@RT4 / isNet H@RT8 module
The isNet H@rt modules are equipped with either four (single width) or eight (double width) channels. Up to five HART modules can be connected to the main module, so a maximum of 40 HART channels can be operated in parallel.
Order codes:
Thorsis isNet H@RT4: 19300-0601 or
Thorsis isNet H@RT8: 19300-0701
PROFINET to CAN Gateways
PROFINET / CAN-Gateway CANopen Master
The PN/CAN gateway CANopen represents a full-featured CANopen master. As a master, the gateway supports network management, SYNC telegrams, nodeguarding/heartbeat for monitoring the nodes and LSS services. Up to 16 PDOs can be configured per CANopen slave. The parameterization of the CANopen nodes via SDO telegrams and the management of emergency messages is also possible.
Order code: Helmholz 700-670-PNC01
PROFINET / CAN-Gateway CAN Layer 2
The PN/CAN gateway Layer 2 allows the connection of CAN devices with proprietary CAN protocols.
On the PROFINET network, the PN/CAN gateway is a PROFINET I/O device and supports transmission rates of up to 100 Mbit full duplex; on the CAN bus, up to 1 Mbit/s is supported.
Order code: Helmholz 700-671-PNC01
PROFINET / CAN-Gateway CANopen Slave
The PN/CAN gateway “CANopen Slave” enables the coupling of machines with CANopen bus to machines with PROFINET network and represents a freely configurable full CANopen Slave Device at the CAN bus.
On the PROFINET network the PN/CAN gateway “CANopen Slave” is a PROFINET I/O device and supports transfer rates up to 100 Mbit full duplex. The data of the CANopen SDOs are transparently and freely configurably inserted into the PROFINET network and can thus be read or written directly in the PLC. The PN/CAN gateway is integrated into the hardware configurator of the PROFINET controller with a GSDML file, and all values of the CANopen slave are available as IO information. Special handling blocks are not necessary.
Order code: Helmholz 700-672-PNC01
PROFINET / CAN-Gateway SAE J1939
The PN/CAN-Gateway SAE J1939 can be used as a complete SAE J1939 device or for the simulation and diagnosis of an SAE J1939 network.
The data of the Parameter Groups (PGNs) can be exchanged directly in the I/O data area of the PLC.
The gateway is completely configured with the help of a GSDML via the PROFINET configuration and does not require any additional software.
The source address (SA) is freely adjustable. Single and multi-package messages are freely available in direct communication and as requests.
In addition, the device can be used as a passive participant for transparent reading of PGN messages of an SAE J1939 network.
Order code: Helmholz 700-673-PNC01
Modbus TCP to Modbus RTU Gateways
If you are looking for an easy-to-use Modbus TCP to RTU Bridge/Gateway, then this one is for you. All the setup is done via the iBridge Android app. We offer four models; wired, wireless (wifi), or radio. The applications are endless.
4Next Technologies ModBridge
ModBridge is a communication bridge between ModBus RTU instruments equipped with RS232 or RS485 and an Android Mobile APP (iBridge) that allows programming, configuration and registers visualization.
Its main purpose is to provide an advanced user interface, the iBridge APP, which makes reading the parameters of any instrument easy, and at the same time being able to change the configuration parameters.
ModBridge works with any device that uses the ModBus RTU protocol on RS232 or RS485 serial ports.
Order code: 4Next ModBridge
4Next MDB-W wifi bridge
MDB-W is a serial – wifi bidirectional converter between the WiFi communication channel and the RS232 and RS485 serial channels.
This Serial – WiFi communication bridge therefore allows all devices equipped with a serial port to communicate with software or cards based on IP communication which share a LAN network with WiFi. It is easily programmable thanks to a dedicated APP and the WiFi / Bluetooth interface. It does not require any additional software for configuration. A dedicated APP allows you to read, modify and set all device parameters.
Order code: 4Next MDB-W
4Next Ethernet serial radio bridge
With the integrated radio module, NetLink allows devices with serial / Ethernet port to communicate between each other wirelessly up to 1 km.
The configuration APP (iBridge) allows all parameters to be set and saved on NetLink via NFC communication.
These are the most common applications:
- Communication between ModBus master and slave
- Ethernet/serial protocol conversion
- Wireless remote data transmission (5/800m)
- RS485 protocol conversion
Order code: 4Next NetLink
4Next MDB-E Ethernet serial converter
MDB-E is a bidirectional converter between the Ethernet communication channel and RS485 serial channel. Therefore, it allows all devices equipped with a serial port to communicate with software or cards on Ethernet communication. MDB-E also acts as a RS485 converter.Thanks to the NFC interface (Near Field Communication) the configuration is very simple and practical. A dedicated APP allows you to read, modify and set all device parameters.
Order code: 4Next MDB-E
We offer training courses
JCOM Automation Inc. offers high-quality, hands-on training. Our courses have a lot of labs, and we have all the latest equipment, including state of the art diagnostic equipment. We offer training on; PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, and HART. For a quote on a course, please contact us directly.
We are a certified training center for PROFIBUS PROFINET International for both PROFIBUS and PROFINET, which guarantees high-quality training.