Extended network connectivity for CAN-enabled devices

14 November 2011

The Anybus Communicator for CAN-enabled devices has recently been extended, to enable communication between any industrial device with a CAN interface and a chosen industrial network. Following the initial release in July which offered connectivity to five networks, HMS can now offer a complete solution for 11 major fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks.

New connections include those to CC-Link, ControlNet, Modbus RTU, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, and Profinet-IRT in addition to the networks which can already be connected – CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus, EtherNet/IP and Profinet.

The Anybus Communicator CAN enables quick and easy connection of CAN-enabled devices to a higher level network. Devices typically include frequency drives, sensors, actuators, HMIs, barcode readers, RFID readers and other types of industrial machinery.

Commenting on the recent additions, Martin Falkman, product line manager gateways at HMS, said: “There is a great need to connect industrial automation devices running CAN to different industrial networks The initial market response after the first release in July confirms this and the product is already being implemented on a wide scale. The networks in highest demand so far have been EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet, but we have also seen an increase in orders from Profinet users. With the new release, we now realise the full Anybus promise of offering connectivity to any fieldbus or Ethernet network.”

Any device with a CAN 2.0 A- or B-based protocol can be connected without the need for hardware or software changes to the CAN devices. This allows automation devices, even those with slower CAN communication, to be integrated into high-speed fieldbus/Ethernet networks without any restrictions to the upper network. Included with the Communicator CAN is the Anybus Configuration Manager enabling visual CAN frame building without any programming or scripting skills needed.


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