Integration Note
Cognex Corporation
Page 2 of 4
Introduction
Serial communication from an In-Sight vision system can be achieved using an In-Sight I/O Module, or
through an Ethernet to serial converter module. Although the I/O Module offers a direct connection to the
serial device, the In-Sight vision system and the serial device must be located in close proximity to each
other in order to communicate via RS-232. The Ethernet to serial converter module allows the serial
device to be accessed from the network, thereby increases the communication distance between the In-
Sight vision system and the end serial device. Additionally, the Ethernet to serial converter provides a
serial only option for the In-Sight vision system where additional discrete I/O is not necessary but
Ethernet and serial communication is.
This application note will describe how to use the CON-GW212 Ethernet to serial converter module as a
gateway device for communication between In-Sight and serial devices. Although this document is
targeted for In-Sight vision systems, the converter module has been used with the DataMan series to
access Ethernet devices from the serial interface on DataMan products.
Description of Product
The CON-GW212 converter module acts as a gateway between Ethernet and serial devices. The
gateway allows data to be sent over Ethernet from one device and received serially via RS-232 by
another device. The converter module supports one serial connection and one Ethernet connection to
the network.
Highlights of this device include:
•
Configurable as TCP Server or TCP Client
•
24 VDC power requirement (117mA current draw)
•
Flexible serial communication settings:
Baud rate: 1200-230400bps
Data bits: 7,8
Flow Control: None, Hardware CTS/RTS, Software Xon/Xoff
•
Easy Software setup
•
Used with In-Sight vision systems and DataMan products
Setup of converter module with In-Sight vision system
There are three devices which need to be setup for this communication: CON-GW212, In-Sight vision
system, and a serial device. The setup procedure for each device is described below.
CON-GW212:
The converter module ships with a CD which contains software and a Quick Start Guide to aid in the
setup of the device.
1
1) Follow directions in the GW212 Quick start guide to configure the IP address of the module. Use
the Monitor.exe (included on GW212 CD) application to set the IP address of the module.
1
Manufacturer: Neteon, P/N: GW212
