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WL-COMETH
Wireless (WiFi) serial device server & MODBUS/TCP gateway for
industrial applications
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ACKSYS widens its Ethernet connectivity offer by introducing WL-COMETH,
the first market WiFi wireless serial MODBUS to MODBUS/TCP data gateway.
WL-COMETH relies on the same technology used in the COMETH
range (Ethernet 10/100 serial device servers) and thus offers the same
range of possibilities on the IEEE 802.11b wireless network.
The product settles like a radio bridge between the serial equipments
and the access point, thus removing any cabling between the computer and
serial devices.
WL-COMETH also works as a wireless Ethernet to serial device server, based
on the RFC2217 standard, featuring virtual COM ports redirector (enables
legacy Windows & Linux applications to access remote serial devices
across TCP/IP wireless network without modification), TCP/IP socket mode,
peer to peer connection (Ad-hoc mode, virtual cable), Telnet server, TCP
server ...
Because actual industrial radio modems are not WiFi compliant, there is
no interoperability between radio vendors. Central and remote sites must
use same brand of equipments.
WL-COMETH authorizes a total interoperability with all the equipments
compliant with the IEEE standard 802.11b "radio" connected to
the network, thus, one single access point can work with up to 100 WL-COMETH
devices, it's also possible to replace a full-duplex wired serial link
with two radio WL-COMETH.
WL-COMETH comes with omnidirectional 2 dBi built-in antennas (standard
coverage), an external higher gain antenna can be connected instead for
long distance communications through
a RP-SMA connector.
Integrators and manufacturers (point of sales, medical instrumentation,
industrial automation, security systems, building automation, mobile devices
...) can right now rely on this new technology to build safety wireless
network applications while freeing themselves from wiring constraints.
A 6 LEDs RF signal level indicator enables to easily setup the two antennas
in order to get the best result while installing the device.
Click to this link to learn more about "Wireless
Ethernet network applications fields".
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1 RS232/RS422/RS485 serial port
(SUB D9), up to 250 Kbps |
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Compliant to the IEEE 802.11b
and IEEE 802.11g compatible, DSSS, (2.4 GHz wireless 11
Mbps Ethernet) recommendation, buit-in antennas & external
antenna connector for long distance |
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200 m nominal range (line of sight), 60 m in other cases (with 2 dBi antennas), up to 4 Km with a 20 dBi antennas |
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auto-fallback system reduces
speed to 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps for greater range and/or better
signal immunity |
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4 independent 64/128 bits WEP
keys |
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Support for TCP Client/Server, DHCP Client, TELNET RFC2217 extension, Telnet Server, COM port re-director (VIP), multipoint or point to point virtual link over UDP modes and MODBUS/TCP Client/Server, MODBUS/RTU & MODBUS/ASCII protocols, direct communication (ad hoc) or from access point |
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LEDs signalling for TxD, RxD,
network signals, link quality and radio signal level (6
LEDs) |
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Robust metallic case, CE industrial
standards conformity, ESD surge protection and built-in
universal (85 to 264 VAC) power supply or DC power supply
(+9VDC to +36VDC) |
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Removable RF circuit for easy
upgrade in order to follow the WiFi specification evolution |
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Remote COM port mode
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Works with Windows 9x/me/NT/2K/XP, Linux and requires a COM
port redirector driver software on the PC (VIP).
This mode is supported by the WL-COMETH when running the "ServerCom"
firmware and when configured in the TELNET RFC 2217 mode (TELNET
RFC 2217 is a standard).
This mode makes it possible to run any Windows COM applications
without any adaptation (Hyperterminal for example), basically
designed for a local COM port, the Windows communication API
is fully supported. COM port configuration is carried out by
the application itself and not necessarily by the administration
module.
Other redirector softwares relying on the RFC 2217 standard exist for other operating systems.
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TCP socket server mode
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This mode works with any operating system supporting TCP/IP.
It is supported by the WL-COMETH when running the "ServerCom"
firmware and when configured in the RAW mode.
The WL-COMETH is able to answer to TCP connection request on
a configurable TCP port (it is thus a server).
The application which uses the WL-COMETH relies on the SOCKET
API and not on the COM API.
COM port configuration (speed, characters, flow control) is
programmed in the WL-COMETH using the administration module.
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TCP socket client mode
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This mode works with any operating system supporting TCP/IP.
It is supported by the WL-COMETH when running the "TCP
Client" firmware.
The WL-COMETH is able to answer a TCP connection request on
a TCP port to a server, the IP address of the server is programmed
using the administration module.
Connection origin can be established from WL-COMETH power ON
of from the rising edge of the DSR signal.
The application which uses the WL-COMETH relies on the SOCKET
API and not on the COM API.
COM port configuration (speed, characters, flow control) is
programmed in the WL-COMETH using the administration module.
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TELNET mode
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This mode works with any operating system supporting TCP/IP
and which has a TELNET client software, two cases:
Configured TCP port TCP of the Socket TCP Server mode
This mode is supported by the WL-COMETH when running the "ServerCom"
firmware and when configured in the TELNET mode.
It doesn't require any application development on the PC,
TELNET is the network application !
TCP port #23
This mode is supported by all the WL-COMETH's firmwares.
When the WL-COMETH receives a port 23 connection request,
it switches to the administration mode and can thus be configured
(speed, mode ...).
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AD-HOC mode (point-to-point connection: virtual cable)
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This mode enables to provide a full-duplex serial exchange
between two serial equipements through the WL-COMETH and without
using any access point.
However, the point-to-point connection thus carried out rely
on IP and no more on the WiFi network substructure, the communication
is carried out directly by radio between two WL-COMETH equipments
like standard radio modems.
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MODBUS/TCP data gateway mode
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This mode is supported by the WL-COMETH when running the "MODBUS/TCP"
firmware.
In conformity with the MODBUS/TCP Client / Server specifications,
this mode makes it possible to connect any serial MODBUS equipments
(MODBUS/ASCII & MODBUS/RTU) to the wireless Ethernet TCP/IP
network.
In this mode, the WL-COMETH settles like a radio bridge between
the wireless Ethernet network and the serial MODBUS equipments
which dramatically simplifies the extension from traditional
MODBUS installation to a MODBUS/TCP based installation on the
wireless Ethernet network.
The WL-COMETH device can work as a slave or master device on
both sides (Wireless Ethernet or Serial).
This mode also makes it possible to connect between them and
in a transparent way several traditional serial MODBUS equipments
through the wireless Ethernet network.
WL-COMETH with MODBUS/TCP allows moreover integration within
the same network of serial MODBUS/ASCII & MODBUS/RTU based
equipments and MODBUS/TCP equipments.
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Some illustrations
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References to order:
| WL-COMETH |
Single RS232/RS422/RS485 serial
port to the IEEE 802.11b wireless Ethernet network (WiFi), with Windows
& Linux COM port redirector software, MODBUS/TCP gateway
support, built-in AC power supply (85-264VAC), built-in antennas and
RP-SMA external antenna connector |
| WL-COMETH-DC |
WL-COMETH with DC power supply (+9VDC to +36VDC) |
External antennas, RF cables, WiFi accessories:
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