HWg-Full serial port and I/O to Ethernet (Model: I/O Controller 2)

I/O Controller 2 connects a full RS-232(485) serial port and digital I/O to the Ethernet. Configuration is Web-based. The serial port can be used as a terminal server (virtual serial port). Digital inputs and outputs can be controlled over the Web or through Modbus/TCP.

I/O Controller 2 can be connected with a PC over the LAN in order to use the I/O Controller 2's serial port as a Virtual Serial Port (VSP). HW group offers a free HW VSP application that supports up to 100 remote serial ports (support includes Windows 7 and x64 systems). I/O Controller 2 offers a truly full RS-232 serial port (9 signals). Two devices can be connected peer-to-peer (Box-2-Box mode). In this mode, the digital I/O as well as the RS232/485 serial line are extended (tunneled) over the LAN. 1x full RS-232 or RS-485 (terminal server, virtual port) 8x Digital Input (DI) 8x Digital Output(DO) For programmers: Control the product from your own application in minutes. Make your work easier with many examples for various programming languages in the HWg-SDK (Borland C++ Builder, MS Visual C, VB, Delphi, C#, PHP, JAVA).

Photos: 1 2 3 4    Web interface: 1 2

Basic features 

• Ethernet: RJ45 (100BASE-T / 100 Mbit/s)
• Configuration: Web, Telnet
• Serial interface: 1x full RS-232 / RS-485 serial port
• Full RS-232 serial port: RxD, TxD, GND, CTS, RTS, DSR, DTR, RI, CD (115,200 Bd)
• 8 digital inputs to connect Dry contacts, buttons, or 5-20V DC
• 8 digital outputs (open collector)  
• Box-2-Box mode: Two units can be connected peer-to-peer over the network and tunnel the I/O and the serial port.
• M2M protocols: http, Modbus/TCP, Telnet, TCP Server, TCP Client/Server
• Support for programmers: HWg-SDK
• Free HW VSP software: Virtual serial port for Windows (NT service, x64 systems). Supports up to 100 remote serial ports. HW VSP is the world's most popular virtual serial port for Windows!
• HWg IPRC cmd utility: Command-line utility for remote control of outputs (Windows and Linux)

Full RS-232 serial port

• I/O Controller 2 offers a full hardware RS-232 serial port
• The HW VSP application (Virtual Serial Port) supports full serial ports
• For 3^rd party SW implementations, RFC2217 can be used
• I/O Controller 2 also supports 9-bit data transfer over the serial port
• I/O Controller 2 can be used as an Ethernet com port (remote serial port)

Applications

• Link up to eight buttons / switches with a SW application.
• Connect your RS-232 devices to your LAN – barcode / RFID scanners, serial printers, displays.
• The outputs can, for example, open a door, turn on a horn, or disconnect power – remotely over the network.
• I/O can be controlled over Modbus/TCP from any SCADA system, independently of the serial line

Box-2-Box mode – 1 to 1 (two units against each other)

• Extension of RS-232 or RS-485 range over the network
• Digital Inputs at one device control Digital Outputs at the other device, 1 to 1 (peer-to-peer)

Box-2-Box mode – 1 to N (one unit against several units)

• Transmission channel 8 DI to N times 8 DO.
• Switching the Digital Input on one device switches the Digital Outputs of several devices.

Usage examples

• Remote control of power and other technology over RS-232 and RS-485
• Remote control of displays and signal lights
• Remote status checks of PIR sensors, door contacts and security systems
• Card readers, RFID
• Vending machines
• Security alarms
• Access control systems
• UPS control and logging devices
• Barcode scanners

Application examples

• Controlling production and employees from an ORACLE server
• Simple access control system
• Remote RESET of a locked-up network device
• Remote temperature measurement with the option to turn on additional heating or cooling
• Alarm notification from a security system
• Simple parking space system

Typical connections

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

Software

User software

• UDP Config – Configuring the product IP address, further configuration over the WEB
   
• Hercules– Configuration (IP address, Telnet configuration) + testing utility for Windows (Serial, UDP and TCP terminal)
• HWg IPRC cmd – Command-line control of outputs
   
• HW VSP– Free HW Virtual Serial Port for Windows.
  I/O Controller is also supported by the VSP Multi version that supports up to 100 virtual serial ports on 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: Remote Serial Port Control (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  [Telnet Client -> Server]
  I/O Controller, as a TCP server, listens for incoming TCP connections from a computer (a PC or a server). When the connection is established, data in the internal buffer are transmitted, and then bidirectional communication can take place, similarly to a common "terminal server".
  Digital inputs and outputs can be controlled with a M2M protocol that uses an extension of RFC2217, as long as NVT support is enabled.
• TCP/IP Client/Server    [Telnet Server <- Client]
  I/O Controller has received some data into its internal buffer from the serial port (or has detected a change at the digital inputs) and attempts to send it to the server. The unit tries to establish a connection to the specified outgoing IP address and port. If unsuccessful, it waits for about one second in the TCP server mode and then tries to establish the connection again.
  Digital inputs and outputs can be controlled with a M2M protocol that uses an extension of RFC2217, as long as NVT support is enabled and the TCP connection is established.
• WEB   [Configuration] 
  Configuration and control of I/O over a WEB interface
• Modbus/TCP   [I/O control]
  Serial port cannot be controlled. Digital inputs and outputs are controlled using the Modbus/TCP M2M protocol.
    
• VSP (Virtual serial port)
  The HW VSP software, when installed on a PC with Windows, creates a virtual serial port (e.g. COM7), and the serial port at the I/O Controller then works as a physical port of your PC.
• UDP/IP
  Data are sent as UDP packets, without delivery acknowledgments.
  In the UDP mode, the device uses a sophisticated "packetiser" that allows you to specify broad conditions about what should be sent from the serial line to the Ethernet, what should not, and when. Digital inputs and outputs cannot be controlled in the UDP mode.

FAQ & Support

• What is the warranty?
  The standard warranty for this product is 2 years, can be extended upon request.
• Does the I/O Controller 2 fit on a DIN rail?
  Yes, it is possible to add a standard DIN rail bracket – available as an accessory.
• Is it possible to control the outputs and read the inputs over a WEB interface?
  Yes, I/O Controller 2 lets you control the I/O over the WEB interface.
• Where can I get another set of connectors for connecting the unit?
  All necessary connectors are supplied. Replacement connectors can be ordered from us.
• Can I control the product from my own SW application? Where can I find a description of the protocol?
  Yes, use Modbus/TCP or Telnet control over NVT (see the documentation). For programming examples, see our HWg-SDK.
   
• How long does it take to deliver the packet informing about a digital input change?
  In a standard network, the time cannot be determined accurately because it depends on the network load and other factors. In any case, I/O Controller attempts to establish the connection and send the data as fast as possible within the relevant specifications. Experience shows that even in high-load networks, the information can be sent within 15–25ms. If the system immediately sets the output to a defined state, the overall response time ranges around 20–40ms.
   
• Does the I/O Controller inform a TCP Server about changes at its digital inputs, or whenever data are received through the serial port?
  Yes, there are two cases to consider:
  (a) A TCP connection is established – Changes at the digital inputs are signaled by sending a NVT sequence with the new digital input states through the TCP connection.
  (b) No TCP connection is currently open – In the "TCP Client/Server" mode, the unit attempts to open a TCP connection in the TCP Client mode to the specified TCP server and send a NVT sequence with the new digital input states through the newly established TCP connection. If the connection attempt fails, the change notification is discarded (it is NOT stored in the internal buffer). 

Ordering

More accessories

• Power adapter – US version – 12V / 0.5A [600 081]
• Power adapter – UK version – 12V / 0.5A [600 081]
  
• DB9 Prolong cable 2m [600 064]
  DB9 extension cord – wired 1:1, 2m long.
• DB9 LapLink cable 2m [600 063]
  RS-232 LapLink communication cable to connect to a PC.
• I/O Controller 20 pin connector
  Replacement set of 2×10 pin connectors for connecting I/O cables to I/O Controller 2.