EBYTE's latest developed distributed IO networking module series aims to facilitate industrial field control like PLC.

So first we need to understand what PLC (Programmable Logic Controller, PLC for short) is.

What is PLC？

PLC is essentially a digital logic controller for automated control, which has multiple input and output methods. For example, it typically interacts with MODBUS commands through RS485 interface and RS232 serial port, sends commands to PLC through RS485/RS232 serial port, controls output modules to perform specified actions, such as controlling output relay output status, analog output AO output value, etc., and can also inquire the status of input modules through commands, such as DI status and analog detection AI status. Of course, as a substitute for PLC, distributed IO essentially works in the same way as PLC, and interacts through external interfaces such as RS485/RS232 serial port to control the input/output devices connected to the device.

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Distributed IO networking module

Distributed IO itself consists of a host part and a slave part (multiple slaves can be spliced). The host can be understood as the brain of the distributed IO system, responsible for all data interaction processing, and the slave part is the "hands and feet" of the system, which corresponds to the input and output devices in the PLC. Our company's slaves include multiple models, such as GAAAX4440 with 4DI/4DO/4AI at the same time, and there are also many other models with different numbers of output/input interfaces. Users can easily assemble and splice them to form a complete controller. For example, a host can be spliced with 10 slaves to form a system with hundreds of input and output interfaces, which can easily interact with the host and control the operation of the entire system.

Working principle of distributed IO module

At the same time, in order to meet the application environment of different scenarios of users, our company has developed WIFI version, ETH Ethernet version, and wireless 4G version, which is also a huge advantage compared to PLC. In fact, PLC also has network components, but those who know more about PLC know that the relevant external components of PLC are very expensive, especially network components. For the distributed IO developed by our company, the network part itself is a function on the host and can be used directly without any external components. Compared with traditional PLC, our company's distributed IO has a great advantage in cost. Not only that, compared with the network components of traditional PLC, the network function of distributed IO itself is very flexible to use. It supports TCPS (6-way Client connection), TCPC, UDPC, UDPS, and supports MODBUS-TCP protocol to MODBUS-RTU protocol . Users can use a variety of network means to control equipment.

The goal of distributed IO is to serve as a substitute for PLC. It can not only bring users a better and more convenient user experience, more conveniently control on-site equipment, but also save costs for users. It can get the same control effect at a relatively cheaper price and easily connect multiple slaves. Users do not need to waste resources and do not need to consider the margin of input and output resources at the beginning of purchase, because they can flexibly purchase slaves to connect devices, supporting up to 32 slaves, and can form a control system with hundreds of input and output management.