Inovance Serial over TCP Data Collection Guide
1. Protocol Overview
- Protocol Description: "Serial over TCP" is a communication method that transmits serial data (such as Modbus RTU) over a TCP/IP network. It allows devices that typically use serial communication (RS232/RS485) to communicate with the Edge2Cloud Factory gateway via an Ethernet network using a "Serial to Ethernet" converter.
- Application Scenario: This protocol is typically used to connect Inovance PLCs or other serial devices to HMI, SCADA systems, or edge computing platforms like Edge2Cloud Factory, enabling remote data acquisition over a local area network (LAN).
- Edge2Cloud Factory Support: Edge2Cloud Factory supports connecting to Inovance devices via TCP/IP as a client, allowing it to communicate with serial devices mapped to the network.
2. Prerequisites
Before starting the configuration, please ensure the following steps are completed:
- Hardware Connection:
- Ensure the gateway device running Edge2Cloud Factory and the serial-to-Ethernet converter (connected to the Inovance PLC) are connected to the same LAN and can communicate with each other.
- Ensure your configuration computer is connected to the same LAN to access the Edge2Cloud Factory management interface.
- Network Parameters:
- Obtain the IP address and port number of the serial-to-Ethernet converter (or the device providing the TCP service).
- Ensure the Edge2Cloud Factory gateway’s IP address is in the same subnet as the device and that there are no address conflicts.
- Device Parameters:
- Have the communication manual or register address table for the Inovance PLC ready.
- Identify the following key parameters:
- The register address(es) to be collected.
- The data type for each register (e.g., boolean, 16-bit integer, 32-bit floating point, etc.).
3. Configuration Steps
Please follow these steps in the Edge2Cloud Factory web interface to complete the configuration.
Step 1: Create a Data Acquisition Device
- Log in to the Edge2Cloud Factory management interface. Go to [Data Acquisition] to enter the configuration page.
- Create a new device and configure the connection information. Click the "Add Device" button and fill in the device connection details in the pop-up window.
| Parameter Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | The name of the device. | PackagingLineA-Machine01 |
| Driver | Select the communication driver; select "Inovance - Serial over TCP". | Inovance - Serial over TCP |
| IP Address | The IP address of the serial-to-Ethernet converter. | 192.168.0.10 |
| Port | The TCP port number. | 502 |
| Poll Interval | The interval (in seconds) for data requests. | 10 |
| Description | A description of the device. | Packaging Line A - Machine 01 |
| Collect Timeout | The timeout limit (in milliseconds) for responses. | 1000 |
| Connect Timeout | The timeout limit (in milliseconds) for establishing a connection. | 10000 |
- After filling in the details, click "Save".
Step 2: Configure Tags
- In the device list on the left, select the PLC device you just created.
- Click the "Add" button on the right to add a single data point (also known as a tag) and fill in the information in the pop-up window.
| Parameter Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Custom name for the data point. | Temperature, MotorSpeed |
| Tag Type | Select: Device Tag or Virtual Tag. | Device Tag |
| Address | The register address in the PLC. | 40001 |
| Data Type | The actual data type in the PLC. | Int16 |
| Read/Write Permission | Access permission (Read Only or Read/Write). | Read Only |
| Data Operation | Mathematical processing (None, Offset/Scale, etc.). | None |
- After adding or modifying all tags, click the "Publish" button in the top right corner of the page to apply the configuration.
4.Common Troubleshooting (FAQ)
- Issue: Device status displays "Offline" or connection fails?
- Solution: Check the physical network connection, use the
pingtool to test network connectivity, verify the IP address and port number, and ensure the serial-to-Ethernet converter is configured correctly. - Issue: Device is connected, but tag value is null or status is abnormal (red)?
- Solution: Double-check the register address, verify the data type, and ensure the address is within the valid range of the PLC.
- Issue: How to view logs?
- Solution: Navigate to [Debug Logs] for real-time acquisition logs, or [System Settings] -> [System Logs] for underlying system runtime logs.
5. Appendix: Data Type Mapping
When configuring tags in Edge2Cloud Factory, use the following mapping:
| Edge2Cloud Factory Data Type | Length / Sign | PLC Corresponding Type |
|---|---|---|
| bool | 1 bit | BOOL (bit) |
| ushort(uint16) | 16 bit, Unsigned | UINT, WORD |
| short(int16) | 16 bit, Signed | INT |
| uint(uint32) | 32 bit, Unsigned | UDINT, DWORD |
| int(int32) | 32 bit, Signed | DINT |
| ulong(uint64) | 64 bit, Unsigned | ULINT, LWORD |
| long(int64) | 64 bit, Signed | LINT |
| float(float32) | 32 bit, IEEE 754 | REAL |
| double(double64) | 64 bit, IEEE 754 | LREAL |
| string | 1...n bytes | STRING, ARRAY OF CHAR/BYTE |
Revision History
| Version | Date | Author | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2025-10-09 | WX | Initial document creation. |
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