Anybus X-gateway Configuration Manual

The output data of the upper layer network (network → gateway) includes: control words (2 bytes)+application output data

The upper layer network input data (gateway → network) includes: status word (2 bytes)+application input data

The same applies to the lower level network

The gateway automatically forwards the output data of the upper layer application to the input data of the lower layer application, and vice versa. Control words/status words are used for operational control and status feedback between networks.

In the master slave configuration (such as PROFIBUS DP master in the upper layer and Modbus RTU slave in the lower layer), an additional Live List will be provided. This list is a 64 bit (8-byte) bitmap, with each bit corresponding to a slave node number (1-64). Bit=1 indicates that the slave is active, 0 indicates inactive or offline. This is very practical for the upper system to monitor the status of on-site equipment.

Status and Diagnostic System

4.1 Status Word

The status word is an important means for X-gateway to provide feedback on its own diagnostic information to the upper system. It is disabled by default and needs to be separately enabled for each network interface in the configuration interface. The length of the status word is 16 bits, and its meanings are as follows:

Name Description

The 15-12 gateway cycle counter successfully completes a bidirectional data exchange each time, and the counter increments by 1 (0-15 cycle)

The 11-8 universal error counter increments by 1 every time the gateway data exchange cycle exceeds 100ms

7-5 reserved -

4-3 main station mode (if applicable) indicates the current operating mode of the other main station (such as stop/run/clear, etc.)

2 initialization flag 1=The other network interface has been successfully initialized; 0=Initialization failed

1-0 operating status 1=the other side of the network is online/running; 0=The other network is offline/not running

By reading the status word, the upper system can real-time understand the health status of the opposite network and promptly detect issues such as initialization failure or communication timeout.

4.2 Control Word

The control word allows the upper system to manipulate the behavior of the gateway or the main station on the other side through one side of the network. By default, it is turned off and needs to be manually turned on. The control word length is 16 bits, where:

Bit 0 (LSB): Reset bit. When the bit is 1, the gateway will immediately restart and reinitialize the network interfaces on both sides. Usually used for remote fault recovery.

Bit 1-15: Master station mode control bit (only valid when the opposite side is the master station interface). The exact definition depends on the specific fieldbus, but the general rule is that if the control word is enabled, a valid value must be specified for these bits before the gateway can begin exchanging data. For example, for PROFIBUS DP master stations, it is usually necessary to set the mode to 'run' in order to initiate periodic data exchange.

4.3 Live List of Activity Sites

Only available when one side of the gateway is configured as the main station interface. After opening the Live List, the main station will forward the currently recognized activity status of its slave stations in bitmap form to the other network every cycle. This bitmap has a total of 64 bits and occupies 8 bytes. Bit 0 corresponds to node 1, and bit 63 corresponds to node 64 (node 0 usually represents the main station itself and is not included).

Notes:

Even if the master station supports more than 64 slave stations, the Live List only reflects the status of nodes 1-64.

The EtherNet/IP scanner interface does not provide a Live List, but can provide statistical information on configured connections, active connections, and incorrect connections. Please refer to the corresponding supplementary manual for details.

Error handling strategy

When one network side experiences offline or communication interruption, the gateway allows users to customize how the other network responds. This setting is completed through the Offline option in the configuration menu, which has two options:

Clear: Clear the data from the offline network direction and send it to the other side. For example, if the upper layer PROFIBUS network is offline, the gateway will output all 0 values to the lower layer Modbus. This can avoid executing old data, but may cause the device to stop.

Freeze: Keep the last received valid data unchanged and continuously forward it to the other side. Suitable for scenarios where the device is expected to maintain its current position or state, such as keeping a valve open.

In addition, for the scenario of connection loss for TCP/IP transport providers (such as HMS Transport Provider used by some configuration tools), Reboot after disconnection can also be set:

Enabled: Once the connection is lost, the gateway will automatically restart.

Disabled: Do not restart.

Configure the terminal through serial port for advanced settings

6.1 Enter the main menu

After correctly connecting the NULL modem cable and opening the terminal software (such as HyperTerminal, set 57600-8-N-1), power on the gateway. During the startup process, a series of self check messages will be displayed, and finally: