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QUCM - QRPC
Routing & Protocol Conversion Application

Unity

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QUCM+002 QUCM+102 QUCM+204
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The QUCM is a versatile communication module in the Quantum® form factor. The QUCM changes personalities depending upon the application that has been downloaded to it. The QUCM comes from the factory with the routing and protocol conversion application (QRPC) installed. QRPC turns the QUCM into an Ethernet port expander with two or more serial ports as well as a Network Option Module for the PLC. This document discusses using the QUCM+102 in this application. Like the previous QUCM-OE version, the QUCM+102 can act as a communications option module for the Quantum PLC; the QUCM-102 may be used as a NOE. This is a simplification since the QUCM has many additional features, one powerful one being the rack communication interface to the Quantum PLC.

QRPC Applications

The QUCM can be configured for several applications, many of which can occur simultaneously. The QUCM enables:

  • Modbus/TCP Ethernet devices to access, control and program the Quantum PLC through the backplane interface
  • Modbus/TCP Ethernet devices to access, control and program serial slave devices
  • Serial master devices to access, control, and program the Quantum PLC through the backplane interface
  • Serial master devices to access data on Ethernet servers
  • Serial master devices to access serial slave devices on the plant-wide Ethernet
  • Serial master devices to access slave devices on the other serial port
  • Serial master devices of one protocol to access serial slave devices of another protocol
  • Serial slave devices to share data using the QUCM-OE's Auto-transfer function
  • Multiple master devices to access a single slave device
  • Master devices to exchange data through mailbox registers

    NOE 771 Emulation

    The QUCM can be configured in the Quantum PLC as a standard 140 NOE 771 01 in the local processor rack. The QUCM will read the Config Extensions for its slot to set its IP Address parameters as well as the 128 entry Ethernet I/O Scanner table. The following table compares the various QUCM models with the NOE 771.

  • Feature QUCM+002 QUCM+102 QUCM+204 NOE 771 01
    Front Panel Display LCD/Keypad LCD/Keypad LCD/Keypad LEDs
    Ethernet Port None 10/100BaseT (2) 10/100BaseT 10/100BaseT and 100BaseFX
    Serial Port (2) switchable RS-232/RS-485 (2) switchable RS-232/RS-485 (2) switchable RS-232/RS-485, (2) fixed RS-232 NONE
    Config Extension Setup YES YES YES YES
    Ethernet I/O Scanner NO YES YES YES
    Program PLC with Modsoft, Concept, ProWORX, Unity Pro YES
    (Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet only)
    Hot Standby Support NO YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet only)
    MSTR Read & Write (opcode 16) Modbus 4x Holding Registers YES
    (Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet only)
    MSTR Write (opcode 6) Modbus 4x Holding Registers YES
    (Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    NO
    MSTR Read & Write Enron (Daniel) Modbus (32-bit) Registers YES
    (Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    NO
    MSTR Read Modbus 3x Input Registers YES
    (Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    NO
    MSTR Read & Write Modbus 0x Coils YES
    (Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    NO
    MSTR Read Modbus 1x Bits YES
    (Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    YES
    (Ethernet and/or Serial)
    NO
    SY/MAX 802.3 Ethernet Support NO YES YES NO
    Web Server NO YES YES YES
    Module configuration change without halting PLC YES YES YES NO

    New MSTR Functions for the Quantum PLC

    The QUCM has added a number of new functions to the MSTR function of the PLC. The standard MSTR (MB+ or Ethernet) has been limited to reading and writing 4x Holding Registers in external devices. Niobrara has now added the ability to read 0x, 1x, and 3x as well as write 0x values. These new functions may be used with any Modicon programming software package.

    • Read 0x Coils
    • Write 0x Coils (opcode 05)
    • Write 0x Coils (opcode 15)
    • Read 1x Input Bits
    • Read 3x Input Registers
    • Write 4x Holding Registers (opcode 06)
    • Read/Write Enron (Daniels) 32-bit Registers
    • Priority SY/MAX Read and Write Messages
    • Non-Priority SY/MAX Read and Write Messages
    • Read QUCM Serial Port Configuration
    • Write QUCM Serial Port Configuration
    • Reset QUCM to Factory Defaults
    • Set QUCM IP Address
    • Set QUCM IP Subnet Mask
    • Set QUCM IP Default Gate

    Enterprise-wide access to plant floor data

    Ethernet has been the network of choice for information for some time now. Its widespread use has made it very affordable and readily available. The information technology departments of many companies already have in place an Ethernet infrastructure that includes cabling, repeaters and hubs, as well as network management and support. The QUCM is ideal for companies that require information from their Modbus devices and who would like to leverage their existing Ethernet infrastructure. Information from these devices is readily available to the entire enterprise since any Ethernet device with a Modbus/TCP driver can access or control Modbus devices with the help of the QUCM.

    Plant-wide Ethernet communication between serial devices

    Serial master devices can communicate with serial slave devices that are too far away to be reached through serial cabling. The plant-wide Ethernet can be used to carry communication between these devices.

    An additional benefit of serial devices connected via Ethernet is that multiple master devices can have access to every slave device. This is beyond the capabilities of most serial communication networks and their protocols.

    Serial master devices access Ethernet devices

    The QUCM allows master devices to use its serial ports as gateways to the high-speed network. A serial Modbus-master device, such as an HMI, building automation system, SCADA package or programming terminal, connected to a QUCM port can access devices on the Ethernet network and/or the PLC itself. A user with a laptop can connect to a QUCM serial port to program the local PLC or Modicon PLCs anywhere on the Ethernet network.

    Serial Protocol Converter

    Messages from a device on one serial port can be routed to devices on the other serial port. If the protocols are different, the QUCM acts as a protocol converter, allowing devices with different protocols to talk to each other. The QUCM can transfer data between slave devices on the two serial ports using its mailbox registers and the Autoscan feature. Serial ports are switchable to either RS-232 or RS-422/485 mode.

    Of Interest to SY/MAX users

    The Ethernet port of the QUCM can be configured to speak the SY/MAX 802.3 protocol as well as Modbus/TCP. SY/MAX 802.3 is the protocol used by the SY/MAX 450 and 650 processors and DEC VAX computers running SFW-390. With this protocol, the QUCM can be used to create a SY/MAX serial to SY/MAX Ethernet bridge. All of the configuration, statistic and mailbox registers appear as processor equivalent registers to SY/MAX devices.

    The QUCM may be used as a replacement for the discontinued 140NOE311 SY/MAX NOE. Additionally, the QUCM configured for SY/MAX 802.3 protocol will accept messages with more than 3 drops, so it will support SFW-390 software and messages from devices other than 450 and 650 processors, such as other bridge devices.

    The QUCM allows a serial port to act as both a Modbus and RNIM master simultaneously. This is useful for adding Modbus devices to previously existing RNIM radio networks.

    Ethernet Port

    The Ethernet port of the QUCM has an RJ-45 jack for 10BaseT Ethernet media. Conversion to other media, such as ThinWire or fiber optic cable requires the use of an external media converter or a connection on an Ethernet hub. Both of these items are widely available.


    The QUCM enables any of these devices: To Access Any: Over These Media:

    Modbus/TCP initiators: Modbus/TCP devices: Twisted Pair Ethernet
       
    TSX Quantum PLC with Ethernet NOM TSX Quantum Ethernet NOM
    Momentum Ethernet processor Momentum Ethernet processor Other Ethernet†
    QUCM Momentum I/O with Ethernet comm adapter Radio†
    MEB-TCP QUCM Telephone†
    EPE5-TCP-D and EPE5-TCP-A EPE5-TCP-D and EPE5-TCP-A SY/NET†
    Concept programming software version 2.1 PEN-TCP and PEN-TCP-SA Fiber Optic†
    Modsoft programming software version 2.5 ECM-2000 and ECM-RM Token Ring†
    Taylor's ProWORX NxT software  
    POWERLOGIC’s SMS 3000 and 1500 Serial devices:  
    HMI or Operator Interface with Modbus/TCP driver  
    NR&D 32-bit configuration software TSX Quantum PLC  
      Compact 984 PLC  
    Serial port initiators: Micro PLC  
      Momentum PLC  
    TSX Quantum with XMIT loadable Momentum I/O with serial comm adapter  
    Compact 984 with XMIT loadable Modbus RTU slave device  
    Micro with XMIT loadable Modbus ASCII slave device  
    Momentum with XMIT loadable Altivar Drive with Modbus  
    QUCM-S, QUCM Altivar Drive with SY/MAX  
    MEB all versions QUCM-S  
    EPE5 all versions MEB all versions  
    SPE4 all versions EPE5 all versions  
    UCM all versions SPE4 all versions  
    Modbus RTU Master device UCM all versions  
    Modbus ASCII Master device CAT2  
    SY/MAX PLC STU2 and STU4  
    SY/MAX device SY/MAX PLC  
    RNIM master device SY/MAX NIM  
    PNIM master device SY/MAX device  
    Concept programming software POWERLOGIC Circuit Monitor  
    Modsoft programming software POWERLOGIC Power Meter  
    Taylor programming software PowerLink panel  
    POWERLOGIC SMS 3000, 1500, 770, etc. RNIM slave device  
    HMI or Operator Interface w/ Modbus or SY/MAX PNIM slave device  
    SCADA package with Modbus or SY/MAX driver Micro-1  
    Building Automation package w/ Modbus or SY/MAX driver Model 50 †requires additional equipment


    Serial Ports
    The QUCM+002 and QUCM+102 have two switchable RS-232/RS-485 serial ports with RJ-45 jacks. The QUCM+204 has an additional two RS-232 ports. All ports have the same pinout as the previous QUCM-OE models which allows the use of familiar cabling. Each serial port can be independently configured for baud rate, parity and number of data and stop bits. The ports can also be individually configured as to which protocol each one speaks. The QUCM supports the serial protocols important to Schneider Electric customers in the United States including Modbus RTU and ASCII (master or slave), SY/MAX, Net-to-net, RNIM (master and slave), PNIM and PLOGIC.

    Internal Registers

    There are three kinds of internal registers: mailbox registers, configuration registers and statistic registers. All of the registers appear as 4x registers to Modicon devices and they are available from any port on the QUCM. The first 2048 registers are user-defined mailbox registers. The Quantum PLC can I/O map up to 32 input registers and 32 output registers when the QUCM is used in a local, remote or distributed rack (maximum of 30 input registers in a distributed rack). When Master devices need to exchange information, each can write data into the mailbox registers for the other to read.

    Configuration

    QRPC is easially configured through the built-in web server. Also supplied with the QUCM is PC software that allows configuration of the unit through any communication path between the PC and the QUCM; these configurations can then be saved to disk. The software can make use of a serial or Ethernet connection. The QUCM's firmware is stored in Flash memory and can be updated through a serial port. The QUCM comes with one-year free firmware upgrades, a one-year warranty, a user manual and configuration software on a CD.

    Comparison with Previous QUCMs

    The QUCM+102 is the replacement for the QUCM-OE. The QUCM-002 also replaces the QUCM-O.


    SPECIFICATIONS:

    Dimensions: Standard Quantum register module. 1.59" wide by 9.84" tall by 4.09" deep (40 x 250 x104 mm). Approximately 12 oz. (340 g.) net. All connectors and indicators are front mounted except the Quantum bus card edge connector on the back.

    Power Requirements: From Quantum bus; 5 VDC, 550 mA max (350 mA typical).

    Operating Conditions: 0 to 50 degrees C; humidity up to 90% noncondensing; pressure altitude -200 to +10,000 feet MSL.

    Serial Ports: Two data I/O ports. 50, 75, 110, 134.5, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, or 19,200 baud. 7 or 8 data bits; odd, even or no parity; 1 or 2 stop bits. Switchable from RS-232 to RS-422/485 (2-wire or 4-wire). RJ-45 female connectors, Modicon Micro pinout.

    Serial Port Modes: Each I/O port can independently operate in any of the following modes: Modbus RTU (Host or Gate); Modbus ASCII (Master or Slave); SY/MAX; Net-to-Net; PNIM; RNIM (Master or Slave); PLogic; Chevron; Peripheral; Multidrop; IDEC; Gateway; Transparent; Share; Transfer.

    Ethernet Port: 100BaseT, RJ-45 connector. Modbus/TCP and SY/MAX 802.3 compatible. E-Peer compatible, Web Server for configuration.

    Display: LCD display with 5 button keypad for front panel configuration.

    Indicators: LED indicators for Serial Port Transmit, Receive, Ethernet Link and 100MB.

    Mailbox Registers: 2,048 4x register and 32 3x registers. Non-volatile. PLC can map up to 32 input and 32 output registers in local or remote I/O racks and up to 30 in, 32 out in distributed I/O racks.

    Setup Registers: 4x registers accessible through any port; stored in non-volatile RAM and Flash.


    ORDERING INFORMATION

    The QUCM is available as:

     QUCM+002 with 2 switchable RS232/RS485 ports

     QUCM+102 with 2 switchable RS232/RS485 ports, 1 100BaseT Ethernet port

     QUCM+204 with 2 switchable RS232/RS485 ports, 2 fixed RS-232 ports, 2 100BaseT Ethernet ports

    QUCM Accessories:
    MM1 RS232 cable for configuring the QUCM.
    DDC2I Optically isolated RS232<>RS485 converter, DIN rail mount.
    BB85 DIN rail mount RS485 screw terminal.
    QXBP Single slot rack with built in power supply for stand alone installations.


    Effective 15 January 2013 - Specifications subject to change without notice.