PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
System communications
SKF Multilog On-line System IMx-16Plus
User Manual
Revision Letter A
11 (66)
1.2.3 Bluetooth
As supplied, a Bluetooth dongle specifically configured by SKF is already mounted in
the IMx-16Plus USB Type-A port. Bluetooth is used for communication between the
IMx-16Plus and the SKF Multilog IMx Manager app. This is particularly useful when
the IMx-16Plus is in stand-alone and SAT mode (but works in all modes).
Important note:
1.2.4 Modbus interfacing to external systems
Modbus communication is a commonly used protocol for exchanging information
between systems, often from different suppliers or providers. The IMx-16Plus
supports both Modbus TCP/IP (Ethernet infrastructure) and Modbus RTU (2-wire
RS485 infrastructure), including some simultaneous use, refer
Table 1
Allowable Modbus communication combinations
TCP Master
RTU Master
TCP Slave*
Supported
Supported
RTU Slave
Supported
Not supported
TCP Slave* + RTU Slave
Supported
Not supported
Notes:
*The IMx-16Plus can be a slave in multiple TCP/IP connections subject to the
following limitations:
•
A maximum of 4 Modbus connections (master, slave, TCP/IP and RTU in
total)
o
If the IMx is a Modbus RTU slave on a bus with other slaves, this only
counts as one connection towards the above limitation as only one
master connects to it.
Master devices typically retrieve data from slave devices (and in the IMx this data is
written to 32 Modbus external channels). When configured as a master device, the
IMx-16Plus supports up to 4 slaves. The 32 available channels can be split/allocated
to specific slaves and can have different register mapping and byte/word ordering.
Multiple master usage and the writing of data to that IMx in slave mode, are both
Due to special configuration for its use with the IMx-16Plus, the specific
dongle provided by SKF must be used and this supports only Bluetooth v4.0 LE,
(Low Energy).
