What communication protocols are used to connect to Remote I/O?
Depending on your needs and existing equipment, one protocol may be better for a particular task than another. The protocol you choose will largely depend on device support, so it is important to confirm that the controller and remote I/O devices support the same protocol.
Here is a brief overview of common communication protocols used in remote I/O systems.
- Ethernet/IP (Ethernet Industrial Protocol) is a common communication protocol in industrial automation. It leverages standard Ethernet technology to provide high-speed, reliable communication between devices on the factory floor. To implement remote I/O using the Ethernet/IP protocol, you will need an Ethernet communication coupler such as the iR-ETN or iR-ETN40R. For more information on how to use remote I/O with Ethernet/IP, check out this helpful connection guide.
- Modbus is one of the oldest and most widely used communication protocols in industrial automation. It is simple to implement and highly versatile. In our guide, Connecting Remote IO to PLCs over Modbus, you will gain the knowledge needed to establish a reliable connection, which ensures seamless interoperability between your Maple Systems Remote IO and Maple Systems Modular PLCs, ultimately enhancing your industrial automation capabilities.
- EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is a high-performance Ethernet-based communication protocol used in industrial automation. To enable remote I/O communication using the EtherCAT protocol, a communication coupler such as the iR-ECAT will be required. For more information on how to connect to remote I/O using EtherCAT, please refer to the iR-ECAT User Manual for specs, configuration tips, and examples.
- CAN Bus (Controller Area Network) is a robust communication protocol that is common in automotive and industrial automation applications. Remote I/O communication using CAN Bus requires a communication coupler such as the iR-COP. For more information on how to set up remote I/O using CAN Bus and the iR-COP, check out this connection guide.
- Profibus (Process Field Bus) is another prevalent communication protocol in industrial automation, particularly in process automation and factory automation applications. Profibus may have additional limitations in terms of speed and bandwidth compared to Ethernet/IP. Integrating older Profibus setups with newer Ethernet-based systems may require additional gateways or converters.
For a comparison of each of these protocols, see our article What is Remote IO?