HMS Airbus X-gateway Industrial Protocol Gateway

Product Overview

The Anybus X-gateway is an industrial gateway developed by HMS based on patented Anybus technology

Internally composed of two Anybus-S network interface cards and an intelligent core board

Supports any combination of two industrial networks, providing master/slave/Ethernet versions

Bidirectional data forwarding without built-in synchronization mechanism, only ensuring data consistency

Hardware Structure and Installation

1. Appearance and interface

Front: Dual network status LED (green=running, red=fault, flashing=board fault)

Top: 2P power terminal (24V DC)

Bottom: DB9 RS232 configuration interface

Network interface: Top and bottom layout, different models and positions

2. Installation specifications

Method: Standard DIN rail buckle installation

Grounding: DIN rails must be grounded to a protective earth (PE) to ensure EMC performance

Power supply: 24V DC ± 10%, polarity protection, incorrect connection may damage the equipment

Basic operating mechanism

1. Data exchange

Each network interface has a dual buffer for sending and receiving

Maximum transmission capacity: 512 bytes/direction

Data type:

I/O Data: Periodic real-time data

Parameter Data: Non periodic parameter data

Forwarding mechanism: Asynchronous forwarding, without clock synchronization

2. Status and Diagnosis

Status word (default off): 16 bits, including:

Gateway cycle counter (4-digit):+1 for each successful forwarding

Universal error counter (4 bits):+1 for forwarding over 100ms

Initialization bit: Whether the other party’s network has completed initialization

Running position: Whether the other party’s network is online or not

Main station mode bit (only for main station models)

Live List (only for main site models):

Monitor up to 64 slave station statuses

Each bit corresponds to 1 slave station: 1=online, 0=offline

3. Network control

Control word (default off):

Reset bit: Write 1 to restart the gateway and reinitialize the dual network

Main station mode: Set the main station operation mode

After activation, the mode must be configured to initiate data exchange

4. Data Mapping

Slave Station – Slave Station: Status Word+I/O+Parameter Data

Master Slave: Add Live List Slave Status Mapping

5. Exception handling

When the network drops, two strategies are supported (configurable):

Freeze: Keep data before disconnection

Clear: Data reset to zero

Configure interface (RS232)

1. Communication parameters

Baud rate: 57600

Data bits: 8

Verification: None

Stop position: 1

Flow control: None

2. Configure entrance

Connection: Direct to null modem cable

Software: Hyperterminal/Any Serial Port Tool

Enter: After powering on and starting, press ESC to enter the main menu

3. Main menu function

Menu function

1. View gateway system information (version, serial number)

2. View dual network interface information

3. Check the gateway system configuration

4. View network I/O configuration

5 Real time operating status

6. Modify configuration (I/O length, disconnection strategy, control word)

7 Ymodem upload/download configuration file (config. cfg)

8. Restart the gateway

9. Switching between main station modes (only for main station)

Administrator mode (manufacturer specific)

4. Key configuration items

I/O data length: number of input/output bytes

Offline options: Freeze/Clear

Control/Status Word: Enable/Disable

Live List: Enable/Disable (Main Site)

Offline restart: enable/disable

Interface and wiring

1. Power interface

Pin signal

– GND

+ 24V DC

2. RS232 configuration port (DB9)

Pin signal

2 RxD reception

3 TxD transmission

5 GND signal ground

Shell shielding grounding

3. Direct wiring

2-3, 3-2, 5-5 cross connection

Technical specifications

Project parameters

Power supply 24V DC ± 10%, max 300mA

Working temperature: 0~+65 ℃

Storage temperature -40~+85 ℃

Humidity 5~95% without condensation

EMC Class A，EN61000-6-4 / -6-2

Electrostatic protection ESD sensitive devices

Maximum data capacity of 512 bytes per direction

Configure interface RS232 57600 8N1

Key issues (3 questions, different emphasis)

Question 1: What is the core working mechanism of the Anybus X-gateway? What are the maximum capacity and limitations for data exchange?

answer:

The core is asynchronous transparent data forwarding with dual network interfaces, and the gateway only handles data without clock synchronization.

Unidirectional maximum data length: 512 bytes

Actual capacity is limited by specific industrial network protocols

Data is divided into periodic I/O (real-time) and non periodic parameters (low-speed)

Question 2: How to enter the X-gateway configuration menu? What are the fixed parameters for configuring serial ports?

answer:

Connect the computer DB9 to the gateway configuration port using a null modem direct cable

Serial port software settings: 57600 baud rate, 8 data bits, no checksum, 1 stop bit, no flow control

Power on the gateway, press the ESC key after startup to enter the main menu

Question 3: What are the functions of status words, control words, and Live List? In what scenarios are they enabled?

answer:

Status word: Provides gateway operation, errors, and the online status of the other party’s network for remote diagnosis

Control word: supports remote reset, switching master station mode, and initiating data exchange, used for remote control

Live List: Only for main station models, providing feedback on the online status of up to 64 slave stations for main station topology monitoring

All three are turned off by default and need to be manually enabled in the configuration menu.