A Better Way to Gateway

What is a “Universal Industrial Gateway”?

It’s a recent offering from one of Rumsey’s top encompass partners, Spectrum Controls, and in my opinion one of the coolest new gateway devices on the market.

The best part of this device is that it isn’t just a single gateway. You can connect different devices running different protocols using one box – AND simultaneously. This allows you to use this single gateway instead of having to buy different ones for specific purposes.

There are some other great gateways on the market, and ones that support multiple protocols, but in those scenarios,  you select the protocol and that’s what it runs on all ports. You can’t mix and match by port and run multiple protocols all at once.

A couple of scenarios you might want to do this in:

1. Connecting multiple PLCs , for instance a MicroLogix 1400 on DF-1, and a Ethernet CompactLogix, to an ASCII bar code scanner and transfer the data into both controllers.
2. Communicating to a DCS on Modbus with data from two dissimilar PLC’s on Ethernet and/or serial.
3. Browser-based configuration – No programming software to buy or install.

Initial Thoughts

The real advantage of this gateway is that the others only offer a single solution such as Ethernet I/P to Modbus TCP I/P in one unit and a different combination in another.  But after working with our demo unit, we also like it for these reasons:

• The intuitive browser-based navigation is easy to use and provides a consistent way to configure any protocol conversion.
• Field upgradable – Start with a limited protocol unit and upgrade later on – ability to add protocols (via firmware upgrade)
• Super easy to set up – No I/O tree changes required. No ladder logic to program.
• There is context-sensitive help – Fully searchable with images and step-by-step instructions, only one click away, whenever you need it.

With the Spectrum Gateway, you can mix together multiple options, eliminating the need for additional boxes.  It supports data transfers to and from any port, in any combination (Ethernet to Ethernet, Ethernet to Serial, Serial to Serial).

Selecting a Unit

With this “Universal” Gateway, you can mix together multiple options, eliminating the need for additional boxes but there are several flavors to choose from.There are four models, two with two serial ports and two with four serial ports.

Keep in mind what I mentioned above, you can start with a smaller set of protocols and always ‘add’ more via a purchased firmware upgrade.

Currently supported Industrial Protocols

While the chart above is useful, here is a full list of supported protocols for your reference:

1. EtherNet/IP
2. EtherNet/IP-PCCC
3. Modbus TCP
4. Modbus RTU
5. Modbus ASCII
6. DF1-PCCC
7. DF1-CIP
8. PPI
9. S7comm (ISOTCP)

What do you think? 

Whether you are modernizing networks, connecting legacy devices or integrating new machines, owning the Universal Industrial Gateway provides a cost-effective, flexible solution for many applications.

Contact me, George Bradley at gbradley@rumsey.com or 302-421-3952 to see or try our demo unit. I look forward to showing you this better way to gateway!

Additional Resources:

• Universal Gateway Product Data Sheet
• Intro Video (1 min)
• Introduction & Getting Started with Your Gateway Video (2 min)
• System Configuration of Your Gateway Video (2 min)