Run a modbus RTU example on NX8MM-35

This article will tell you how to run a modbus RTU example on NX8MM-35.
We used libmodbus to utilize the modbus function via 2x RS485 (1 modbus server & 1 modbus client on the same SBC) on NX8MM-35 under Yocto in this tips.

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Key Features of Modbus:

1. Master-Slave (Client-Server) Architecture: A master (client) device initiates communication, while slave (server) devices respond.
2. Simple and Open Protocol: Easy to implement and widely supported in industrial systems.
3. Multiple Communication Modes:
   • Modbus RTU (Remote Terminal Unit): Uses binary data format over serial communication (RS-232, RS-485).
   • Modbus ASCII: Uses human-readable ASCII characters for serial communication.
   • Modbus TCP/IP: Runs over Ethernet, allowing faster and more flexible networking.

Common Uses of Modbus:

1. Monitoring and control of industrial equipment.
2. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
3. Energy meters, temperature sensors, and other field devices

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Tools you need:

1. i.MX series products like NX8MM-35 / PN8M-090T / EBOX-IMX8MM
   • In this tips, we use NX8MM-35 as an example.
2. Yocto Linux 4.0 sample image with libmodbus: Image / Guide
   • In the default recipe, you will need to add “libmodbus-dev” to IMAGE_INSTALL:append in local.conf before you build your own image.
3. Modbus test tool sample code file: Download link
4. NX8MM-35 with the test fixture connectoing 2xRS485

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1. Boot up the board and compile the modbus test tool

First, boot up the board, and plug in a USB disk which contains the modbus test tool sample code file and open the terminal.

1.Access the USB disk and input the code below:

$ gcc modbus_test_v2.c -o modbus_test_v2 -lmodbus

2.Move the compiled application to the your appointed file in the system and access it (In this case, we make a file called modbustest.)

$ mv modbus_test_v2 /modbustest

$ cd /modbustest

Use the command below to check the function description:

$ /.modbus_test_v2

Usage: ./modbus_test_v2 [-s|-c] [-r gpio_index] serial_port

-s : server

-c : client

-r : rts-gpios : dm446c rts-gpios numbers: ttymxc0=128, ttymxc3=9

We use COM1 (ttymxc0/GPIO128) and COM4 (ttymxc3/GPIO9) on the NX8MM-35 for RS-485 communication, performing point-to-point Modbus RTU testing between the two ports.
(Be sure to short J39 to switch the COM port to RS485 mode.)

2. Start to perform Modbus RTU testing on NX8MM-35

1. Open another terminal and input command below to set COM4 to server mode:

./modbus_test_v2 -s -r 9 /dev/ttymxc3

2.Use the existing terminal to set COM1 to client mode and send the signal to server(COM4)

./modbus_test_v2 -c -r 128 /dev/ttymxc0

After executing the command above, the server (COM4) successfully receives the Modbus RTU signal from the client (COM1), marking the completion of the test.

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For more info and sample request, please write to info@icop.com.tw, call your nearest ICOP Branch, or contact our Worldwide Official Distributor.