What is the purpose of this article?
This article demonstrates how to integrate the USR-W610 RS232/RS485 to Wi-Fi and Ethernet Converter with Rheonics sensors to transmit data over a Wi-Fi network and access it remotely.


What products are involved?
This article is based on using the Rheonics Sensor Module Electronics (SME) and the USR-W610 RS232/RS485 to Wi-Fi and Ethernet Converter.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Overview

To enable wireless data access, Rheonics offers the USR-W610 RS232/RS485 to Wi-Fi and Ethernet Converter as an option. The USR-W610 transmits Modbus RTU data from the Sensor Module Electronics (SME) over a Wi-Fi network, enabling wireless communication and remote access. This article describes how to integrate a Rheonics sensor with the USR-W610 to transmit sensor data over Wi-Fi for remote monitoring and visualization.


The USR-W610 is provided in its default Access Point (AP) mode, which allows connecting to the module wirelessly and performing the corresponding configurations to access a Wi-Fi network. However, station (STA) mode is used to read the sensor's data and connect to a Wi-Fi network, as shown in the following diagram. 

Figure 1: Rheonics Sensor with the USR-W610 connected to an Access Point

Figure 1: Rheonics Sensor with the USR-W610 connected to an Access Point

 

2. Prerequisites

  • Rheonics SME with Modbus RTU enabled
  • USR-W610 RS232/RS485 To Wi-Fi and Ethernet Converter

3. USR-W610 Setup through built-in Web server

There are three possible ways of configuring the USR-W610, as AP, STA and as AP+STA.

  • Access Point (AP): In this case, the USR-W610 acts similar to a router, which means other devices can connect to it.
  • STA (station): In this configuration, the USR-W610 connects to an existing access point like a router allowing the device to access internet.
  • AP + STA : Combines both modes.

In this article, STA configuration is explained to receive data from Rheonics SME through its serial port.

3.1. USR-W610 Configuration

The USR-W610 is provided in Access Point (AP) mode by default, creating its own Wi-Fi network that other devices (laptops, tablets, others) can connect to. In AP mode, the corresponding configurations are made to use STA mode, so the USR-W610 connects to an existing Wi-Fi network and transmits Rheonics sensor data through it. Other devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network can visualize the sensor data as seen in the figure.

Figure 2: Data transmission of the USR-W610 through Wi-Fi

Figure 2: Data transmission of the USR-W610 through Wi-Fi


1. After powering the USR-W610, open the available Wi-Fi networks and connect to Rheonics Network. 


Figure 3: Rheonics Network

Figure 3: Rheonics Network


2. The Link LED should light up after a successful network connection.


Figure 4: Link LED on after Wi-Fi connection
Figure 4: Link LED on after Wi-Fi connection


3. Access the web server by entering the default IP address in a browser and the credentials provided on the device label.

  • IP: 10.10.100.254 (default)
  • User: admin
  • Password: admin

Figure 5: Device label

Figure 5: Device label


4. In the web server of the USR-W610, select STA Interface Setting. 

Figure 6: STA Interface Setting section

Figure 6: STA Interface Setting section 


5. Click on Search to look for Wi-Fi networks.

Figure 7: Search for Wi-Fi network

Figure 7: Search for Wi-Fi network


6. A window with all the available Wi-Fi networks is displayed. Select the Wi-Fi network used and click on Apply.

Figure 8: Wi-Fi networks

Figure 8: Wi-Fi networks


7. In Pass Phrase, enter the Wi-Fi password and click on Apply.

Figure 9: Adding the Wi-Fi password

Figure 9: Adding the Wi-Fi password


8. After each modification, click on Device Management to restart the device. 

Figure 10: Device Management section

Figure 10: Device Management section


9. Once in Device Management, click on Restart so the configurations are saved correctly.

Figure 11: Restart button

Figure 11: Restart button


10. A rebooting message should appear. Wait for a few seconds, and then continue.

Figure 12: Device Rebooting

Figure 12: Device Rebooting


11. Next, in DHCP Mode in the STA Interface Setting select the WAN Connection Type as STATIC (fixed IP), fill out the properties, and click on Apply.

  • IP address: Make sure it is in the same range as the Wi-Fi network you are connecting to. This can be checked in the network connection details. In this case, the IP 192.168.100.73 is selected because of the Wi-Fi network properties.

Figure 13: Wi-Fi Network Connection Details

Figure 13: Wi-Fi Network Connection Details
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
  • Default Gateway: 192.168.100.1

Figure 14: Setting a fixed IP address

Figure 14: Setting a fixed IP address


12. Click on Mode Selection.

Figure 15: Mode Selection section


13. Select STA Mode and in Data Transfer Mode select Modbus TCP <--> Modbus RTU. Click on Apply.

Figure 16: Working Mode Configuration as STA

Figure 16: Working Mode Configuration as STA


14. After updating the USR-W610 configuration, the Link LED should light up after Wi-Fi connection has been successfully established.

Figure 17: Link LED after Wi-Fi connection

Figure 17: Link LED after Wi-Fi connection


15. Use the IP address configured in Step 11 to access the web server, then enter the default credentials.


Figure 18: Remote access to the configuration page using STA

Figure 18: Remote access to the configuration page using STA


3.2. Modbus RTU parameters configuration

To configure the serial port parameters of the Rheonics SME, follow the next steps.

1. Enter the USR-W610 and select Application Setting.

Figure 19: Application Setting section

Figure 19: Application Setting section


2. Configure Modbus RTU parameters according to Rheonics guideline in Connecting Modbus RTU (RS-485) outputs 

  • Baudrate: 38400
  • Data Bits: 8
  • Parity: Odd
  • Stop: 1
  • Flow control: Disable
  • 485 mode: Enable
  • Baudrate adaptive (RFC2117): Enable


Figure 20: Serial communication parameters

Figure 20: Serial communication parameters


3. Under Network A Setting, configure as follows and click on Apply.

  • Mode: Server
  • Protocol: TCP
  • Port: 502
  • Server Address is configured automatically depending on the router

Figure 21: Network A Settings

Figure 21: Network A Settings


4. Accessing Rheonics SME Data via the USR-W610

Once the USR-W610 configuration is complete, the Rheonics sensor data can be accessed wirelessly over Wi-Fi.

4.1. Wiring the USR-W610 to the Rheonics SME

Wire the SME to the USR-W610 serial port as shown in the diagram.

Figure 22: Wiring diagram of USR-W610 to Rheonics SME

Figure 22: Wiring diagram of USR-W610 to Rheonics SME


4.2. Reading Sensor Parameters Using Modbus Poll

1. To read data using Modbus Poll, open the Modbus Poll software.

Figure 23: Modbus Poll software

Figure 23: Modbus Poll software


2. Click on the Connection Tab and select Connect.

Figure 24: Connection Tab

Figure 24: Connection Tab


3. Modbus RTU communication is converted to Modbus TCP due to the configuration done in the setup. On Connection select Modbus TCP/IP.

  • IP address: the static IP chosen in the STA Interface Setting during the configuration
  • Port: 502 (default)

Figure 25: Connection Setup

Figure 25: Connection Setup


4. Sensor data is available in the input registers. The table below shows the commonly used registers.


Parameter 12

Viscosity Last Good

136

300137

2

Float32

Parameter 12 value as float

Parameter 13

Density Last Good

144

300145

2

Float32

Parameter 13 value as float

Parameter 2

Temperature median

56

300057

2

Float32

Parameter 2 value as float


5. Click on Setup and Read/Write Definition.


Figure 26: Setup Tab

Figure 26: Setup Tab


6. Configure the following parameters to read Viscosity Last Good and click OK.

  • Slave ID: 1 (default)
  • Function: 04 Read Input Registers (3x)
  • Address: 136
  • Quantity: 2


Figure 27: Read/Write Definition section

Figure 27: Read/Write Definition section


Take into consideration that the SME slave ID remains the same when Modbus RTU is converted to Modbus TCP. Ensure that the slave ID matches the value configured in your SME settings.


7. Configure any additional input registers as required. The corresponding values should now be displayed correctly.

Figure 28: Input Registers visualization

Figure 28: Input Registers visualization


5. Resources