Note: Shorted version - full details in english version.

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- Features
- Applications
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- Topology
- Specifications
- Device extensions
- Software
- FaQ & Support
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- Products

Последовательный порт доступен через протокол Telnet. Кроме того, он может быть перенаправлен на виртуальный последовательный порт в Windows (например, COM-27). Цифровые входы «сухой контакт» могут быть использованы для считывания состояний внешних реле или нажатия кнопок. 8 цифровых выходов могут управлять внешними реле. Типичные области применения включают в себя расширение последовательных портов и линий ввода/вывода через локальную сеть путем соединения двух контроллеров ввода/вывода друг с другом (режим "туннель" или продление линий ввода/вывода и последовательных портов). Контроллер ввода/вывода часто используется для подключения периферийных устройств к центральному серверу. Считыватель штрих-кодов подключается к RS-232, кнопки подключаются к цифровым входам, а индикаторы состояния (например, светодиоды или сигнальные лампы) управляются цифровыми выходами.

Big product photos: 1 2 3 4 5

Основные особенности

• Сетевой интерфейс: RJ45 (10BASE-T).
• Конфигурация: Telnet
• Цифровые входы: 8 входов «сухой контакт»
• Цифровые выходы: V8 выходов «открытый коллектор»
• Интерфейс: 1 порт RS-232/485
• Режим Box-2-Box: 2 контроллера могут быть соединены друг с другом по локальной сети.
• Коммуникационные протоколы M2M: Telnet, TCP Сервер, TCP Клиент/Сервер
• Поддержка сторонних разработчиков: HWg SDK
• Утилита HWg IPRC: Утилита, запускаемая из командной строки, предназначенная для управления выходами устройства (версии для ОС Windows и Linux)
• ПО HW VSP: Виртуальный последовательный порт для Windows (сервис NT). Поддерживается до 64 удаленных последовательных портов.

Typical applications

A typical application is remote access to a RS232 or RS485 controlled technology. I/O controller is an ideal device if you need remote digital I/O signalizations (ethernet input, ethernet output), remote relay control, server accessible remote inputs together wirh a RS-232 or RS-485 bus for a bar code reader, display, etc...

You can access the device using the HW VSP software, or you can write your own software using our wide examples and source codes library.

Applications examples

• Remote control of technology over RS-232 and RS-485 bus
• Remote control of displays and signalling
• Remote reading of PIR sensors, door contacts and security systems
• Remote relay control
• Industrial I/O
• Card readers, RFID readers
• Sales machines
• Security alarms
• Attendance systems
• UPS controll and logging
• Bar code readers

Example applications

Here are some more detailed application exapmles:

• Manufacturing and workers control from an ORACLE server
• A simple attendance system
• Remote RESET of a failure device
• Remote temperature control with the possibility to turn on cooling or heating
• Alarm reporting from a security center
• A simple parking management system

Typical wiring

• Connecting RS-232 and 8 + 8 digital I/O signals over Ethernet
• Controlling RS-232 and remote I/O pins from PC over Ethernet
• Remote I/O pins control from a WWW page or a user interface

Software

• Software for Users
  • Hercules - configuration (IP address, Telnet setup) and testing utility for Windows
    • UDP Config - configures the product IP address
  • HWg IPRC cmd – command-line control of outputs
  • HW VSP - HW Virtual Serial Port for Windows.
    I/O Controller is also supported by the VSP Multi version that allows you to connect up to 64 serial ports to a single PC.
• For programmers

• Examples in the HWg SDK
  SDK (Software Development Kit) with examples of controlling the I/O Controller is available for download free of charge.

  • EX01: UDP Setup (Borland C++ Builder, MS Visual C, VB, Delphi, C#)
  • EX02: I/O Controller (Borland C++ Builder, MS Visual C, VB, Delphi, C#)
  • EX03: Control Remote Serial Port (Borland C++ Builder, MS Visual C, VB, Delphi, C#)
  • EX13: TCP Setup (Borland C++ Builder, MS Visual C, VB, Delphi, C#)
• NVT (Network Virtual Terminal) M2M communication protocol

System topology

• TCP/IP Server   [Client -> Server]
  The I/O Controller waits as a TCP server until any side (PC or server) opens a TCP connection. When the connection is established, the internal buffered data is sent and then the device allows communication as a standard "terminal server".
  The digital I/O (digital inputs and outputs) can be controlled over a M2M (Machine to Machine) protocol using the extended RFC2217, but only if NVT support is enabled.
  
  
• TCP/IP Client/Server    [Server <- Client]
  The I/O Controller received serial port data into its internal buffer and tries to send them to the server. It will try to open a connection to the preset IP address and port. If the attempt was unsuccessful, it waits for a second in the TCP Server mode and then tries to open the connection again.
  The digital I/O (digital inputs and outputs) can be controlled over a M2M (Machine to Machine) protocol using the extended RFC2217, but only if NVT support is enabled.
  
  
• UDP/IP
  The data is transferred in UDP packets, with no delivery notification. The portbox uses a sophisticated "Packetizer", which allows various conditions of what can and what cannot be send from the serial line to Ethernet.
  The remote ethernet I/O (digital inputs and outputs) cannot be controlled in the UDP mode..
  
   
• VSP (Virtual Serial Port)
  You have a HW VSP software which creates a virtual COM port under Windows OS, so that the device acts like it's connected directly to your PC, though it's a virtual remote port. If the buffer is enabled and the TCP connection is not available, the data is stored into the internal buffer memory.
  The remote ethernet I/O (digital inputs and outputs) can be controlled from the HW VSP software in the "Binary I/O", tab, if the NVT support is enabled.
  

Technical specifications

I/O Controller's inputs
All 8 digital inputs are optocoupled with common ground on IGND pin. You need to connect this pin to the GND pin on your connector. You can also control the pins using contacts which are connecterd to the POWER pin. The maximum power drain is 200 mA!

Built in RS-485 support
The I/O Controller handles the RS-485 line similary to the PortBox - Revision 1 device, details can be found in the datasheet, or in the PortBox description.

Possible device extensions, coming soon...

The following options will either be implemented in the following firmware version, or in the next device version.

• M2M (Machine to Machine) protocol extension: WWW pages and other interfaces (SNMP, WWW, XML, Modbus/TCP) are implemnted in the Damocles device, which we are working on.
• Built-in 4x Ethernet port 10/100 Mbit switch Ideal for applications where you don't have enough free Ethernet ports or cables, or you cannot use a stand-alone switch or hub - customer solution.
  

Questions and comments

If you are interested in any of these modifications, need help implementing them in your projects, or if you want a specific customer solution, feel free to contact us

Built-in I/O Controller version - Charon I module

The I/O Controller box can be replaced with a module version, which looks like a big integrated circuit and can be placed on a printed circuit board of a customer solution.

The Charon I module contains a similar firmware. Digital inputs/outputs are combined in one 8-bit port. You can use setup to control which pins are outputs and which pins are inputs, or you can set all the pins as output or input.

The Charon I has 24 pins and measures approx. 34x42 mm (2x12 pins with 100 mil diameter). You only need to place a supplied transformer and a RJ45 connector outside the module.  

The Charon I module is an ideal solution for you application if it works with PortBox or I/O Controller.

Useful SW

• Hercules SETUP Utility
  When testing the I/O Controller device, the "Test mode" tab in our Hercules SETUP software can be quite useful. In the "test mode", the software highlights the NVT commands, you can send and write the commands in the HEX form.
   
  
    
• HW Virtual Serial Port
  A virtual serial port driver is a software tool which creates an imaginary serial port in the windows system, for example COM5. This data is then redirected to another hardware device.

Examples with sourcecode showing how the I/O Controller can be used

• Borland C++ communication example
  A simple communication example with a TCP/IP device in Borland C++ Builder 6.00. The example demonstrates a simple Client terminal and basic NVT commands (Network Virtual Terminal) = Are You There and I/O functions.
  
• Delphi Charon 1 - NVT communications example
  A simple communication example with a TCP/IP device in Borland Delphi 5 demonstrates a simple Client terminal and basic NVT commands (Network Virtual Terminal) and ethernet I/O functions.
  
• MS Visual Basic example
  Simple routines for NVT commands with a TCP/IP device over Winsock in MS Visual Basic 5.0. Simple commands for remote pins control are implemented, TEA is not.
   
• Java NVT simple Code Example
  A very simple remote I/O pins control in a JAVA application. This application is not password protected, so you can modify it to suit your needs.
   
• PHP I/O Controller example
  A very simple digital I/O pins control. The user requests a WWW page from a PHP server, which opens a connection to a predefined IP address and port and reads the values.
  
  
• LabVIEW driver for the I/O Controller
  The german company MJH Software sells a driver which you can use to control the device from DASYLab and LabVIEW. You can find the details on their website, here is a screenshot from the tested application.
  
  
• Tom Boyd from the http://sheepdogsoftware.co.uk (server for the SW developers and schools) tested IO Controller and updated our original Delphi application.. (sw screenshot: I/O Controller Excerciser / SW download ).
  

NVT (Network Virtual Terminal) protocol description

Информация для заказа

The products are on stock and we can send them worldwide with FedEx and other couriers. The price can be found in the pricelist. In the Czech republic, you can also order using our eshop - obchod.HW.cz.

I/O Controller set

• I/O Controller PL [600291] (photo)
• DB9 LapLink cable 2m [600063]
• 1x Power adaptor "wall plug" - [600 080]
  You can change the type of the adaptor to UK or USA version, note this in your order
• I/O Controller Test board [600032]
  8x LED (outputs) and 8x DIP (inputs) on a small PCB - detailed image
• Printed datasheet - "I/O Controller "
• CD with documentation, FirmWare versions, testing utilities and other SW

-> Order 

Ordering versions

The I/O Controller can be supplied in several versions, according to the bellow described ordering number. If you do not specify a device version in your order, we will send you a prefered type. The delivery terms of the non-prefered types should be verified by phone or requested in your order confirmation.

Other accessories

• Power adaptor - USA version - 12V / 0,5A [600 081]
• Power adaptor - UK version (Great Britain) - 12V / 0,5A [600 082]
  
• DIN Rail box set for DIN molding mounting [600 025]
• I/O Controller Test board [600 032]
  A test board for easy setup and debugging of your applications for the I/O Controller. It's connected to 20 pin connector in the delivery.
• DB9 Prolong cable 2m [600 064]
  A prolonging cable Canon 9 – connected 1:1, 2 meters long.
• DB9 LapLink cable 2m [600 063]
  RS-232 LapLink communication cable for PC connection.
  
• I/O Controller 20 pin connector [600 034]
  2x 10-pin connectors for connecting the I/O cables to the I/O Controller [600026]
  
• I/O Controller DB37F Test board [600 033]
  A test board for easy setup and debugging of your applications for the I/O Controller
  
• DIN Relay - 1x switch contact 10 A [600 084]
• DIN Relay - 2x switch contact 10 A [600 085]

Родственные продукты

• PortBox
  The RS232/485 - ETHERNET converter with the Server or Client/Server mode, TCP/IP or UDP/IP protocols, remote virtual serial port control over RFC2217 and more..
• PortStore
  512 or 2048 kB buffer memory. The stored data can be accessed over Ethernet (TCP/IP). Typical PortStore application is buffering data from PBX, or remote serial device access.
• IP Relay
  2 Relay contacts + RS-232/485 converter (terminal server) , supports the Server and Client/Server mode, NVT, TEA authorisation, RS-232 "tunneling" over TCP/IP i UDP/IP etc..  
• HW Virtual Serial Port
  Free Virtual Serial Port driver for Windows is a software tool which adds a virtual Comm port to the system, for instance COM5, and all the data from this port is re-directed to another TCP/IP device on the Ethernet network.  
• Charon I module
  Embedded serial line to Ethernet converter module, you can connect measuring devices, SNMP interface, thermometers etc...