BRX PLCs are Do-more^® Driven: Communication Options

Built-in Communication Ports

The Do-more! BRX platform includes built-in communications options to meet the demands of modern-day industrial networks. With a software-selectable RS-232 or RS-485 serial port on every MPU and the option of a built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port, the BRX family can easily integrate into existing older networks as well as newer modern networks.

POMs (Pluggable Option Modules)

Better communication through innovation

Communication that adapts to your needs...and your budget

PLC communication is an ever-changing landscape with Ethernet and USB being the latest additions. Modern PLCs need to provide the ports and protocols required to easily navigate the communication choices available. But how do you accommodate PLC communication that keeps evolving? The BRX platform has a practical solution, the CPU Pluggable Option Module or POM.

Besides the built-in RS232/485 serial port and the built-in Ethernet port (on all BX-DM1E models), all of the BRX CPUs have an optional slot for an additional user-selected POM. These hot-swappable POMs are currently available with RS232 (with and without flow control), RS422, RS485, USB 2.0 and Ethernet options. Add the extra communication port you need now and change it if your needs change. Serial now but USB later, or USB now and Ethernet later - the choice is yours, now and in the future.

Don't want to pay for communication ports you won't use? With the Do-more! BRX PLC platform and the innovative POMs, you won't. In addition to the built-in ports, the POMs allow you to configure your CPU for the exact communications you need when you need it. Need just one extra serial port? How about a dedicated Ethernet programming or HMI port? Or maybe you need a single USB connection? With BRX PLCs you get more communication options for better savings and overall satisfaction.

And with support for MQTT / MQTTS, HTTP / HTTPS, FTP (Client), EtherNet/IP: Explicit (Scanner/Adapter), Implicit (Scanner/Adapter), Modbus RTU Master/Slave, Modbus TCP, SMTP (Email), SNTP (Time Server), TCP/IP, DHCP, Ethernet remote I/O, and K-sequence Slave, the BRX PLC family provides supreme communications versatility for any application.

Take the work out of Network

In modern industrial communication there are numerous protocols that dominate the landscape. EtherNet/IP and Modbus are two of the prominent protocols used by many control device manufactures. BRX PLCs support a wide array of industrial protocols including EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, and several DMZ safe protocols like MQTTS and HTTPS.

But when it comes to EtherNet/IP, the Do-more Designer software provides built-in features to make device configuration a cinch. First, Do-more BRX PLCs can be configured as scanners or adapters and support both Explicit and Implicit messaging. An embedded EDS file library offers an easy way to upload, store, and manage your EDS files (EDS files are simply ASCII files that describe how a device can be used on an EtherNet/IP network). These files are organized in a simple-to-use drop-down menu with the ability to select multiple connection options from each EDS file. New devices can be easily added to the library and AutomationDirect.com EtherNet/IP EDS files are preloaded in the library for convenience.

EtherNet/IP that's easy as 1, 2, 3

With the "other guys" PLCs, configuring EtherNet/IP devices can be a real pain. Searching device manuals to find the correct configuration data and entering each value in the PLC project line by line is tedious and a waste of time. With Do-more Designer, you can save valuable time and let the software populate the configuration data for you.

If that's not easy enough, Do-more Designer can also auto-discover existing EtherNet/IP adapters for in-an-instant device additions to your control network.