Configure The Xio - ABB XIO-08 User Manual

This section describes how to configure the XIO and its Ethernet-to-serial passthrough function in order to
add serial port capacity to the RMC.
Both the RMC and the XIO must connect either directly using Ethernet ports or to the field area network
switch. In this scenario, the XIO performs the role of an Ethernet-to-serial converter and makes COM
ports available to applications on the RMC. The XIO relays all communications from the attached serial
devices to the controller on the Ethernet port (network connection). Both must have valid IP addresses.
Serial communication protocols are used transparently (encapsulated) over the Ethernet interface.
The RMC manages communication with the peripherals on the XIO with communication applications
instantiated and configured locally. The RMC manages and monitors the XIO COM ports as if they were its
own onboard ports.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As an example, the scenario described in this section describes the
configuration of an XIO COM port connecting to an ABB multivariable (XMV). An XMV Interface
application instance is added on the RMC for communication with that device. Other scenarios might
include multiple XMVs on the same COM port or additional XMVs connected to other ports. The RMC
uses an XMV Interface instance for every COM port configured in passthrough mode. Adapt the
following steps for the type of peripheral and associated communication application:
–
To communicate with other types of ABB devices, use their specific communication application.
–
To communicate with third-party peripherals, use the Generic Com App.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Ethernet-Serial Passthrough function activates on a per-port basis. If all
XIO COM ports require passthrough, each port requires its own Ethernet-Serial Passthrough
instance. Use a naming convention for the instances that makes XIO COM port identification easy.
Both the Ethernet-Serial Passthrough and the XIO server can be active on the XIO, but each owns
the ports assigned to it.
IMPORTANT NOTE: For additional details on the passthrough functionality and configuration see
the Ethernet to Serial Passthrough Application Guide listed in
The procedures in these sections assumes that the COM ports are wired correctly.
4.8.1

Configure the XIO

This procedure configures the XIO Ethernet port to act as a passthrough for the specified serial port. It
also configures the serial port for communication with the attached peripheral.
The serial port on the XIO can connect external devices such as XMVs and other transmitters while the
corresponding interface application (for example, XMV Interface) runs on the RMC.
Use any of the serial (COM) ports on the XIO to connect with any external serial device, such as radios
and measurement transmitters. This scenario shows a single ABB multivariable transmitter (XMV)
connected to the XIO. Other scenarios might include multiple XMVs on the same COM port.
To configure Ethernet-Serial passthrough for an XIO COM port:
74 | XIO USER MANUAL | 2106424MNAA
Additional information.