RevPi Connect

RevPi Connect, part of the KUNBUS Revolution Pi product family, is designed as a powerful IIoT gateway for machine and plant engineering. Due to its open platform concept (including full root rights), the open source IIoT gateway RevPi Connect offers users maximum freedom in the implementation of their IIoT projects. The RevPi Connect, which is housed in a DIN rail housing, is equipped with two RJ45 Ethernet sockets, two USB ports, a 4-pin RS485 interface, a Micro-HDMI, and a Micro-USB socket. Its two Ethernet interfaces support simultaneous integration in both the automation and IT networks. This allows machine data from the shop floor, for example, to be transferred directly to the cloud or a higher-level ERP system. Familiar protocols such as MQTT and OPC UA are available. Individual applications can be programmed via Node-RED, Python, or directly in C.

Its modular design makes it possible to expand the 45 mm wide base unit with suitable expansion modules such as IOs, fieldbus gateways, and radio modules. These expansion modules can be plug-and-play connected to the base unit via an overhead connector (without tools) and conveniently configured via a graphical user interface (GUI).

A freely configurable hardware watchdog monitors the status of the IIoT gateway. A relay output allows the hardware watchdog to monitor connected devices or expansion modules. The device also has a 24 V input for transmitting the shutdown signal of a UPS.

As typical in the Revolution Pi family, the RevPi Connect is designed as an open source device and complies with EN 61131-2. By using the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 / 3+, the device has a quad-core processor with 1.2 GHz, 1 GB RAM, and up to 32 GB eMMC Flash memory. The operating system used is a customized Raspbian with a real-time patch.

RevPi Connect features master and slave capabilities of the widely used Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP protocols. Integration into other common fieldbus or Industrial Ethernet networks such as PROFIBUS or EtherCAT can be realized with the expansion modules mentioned above. Optional available control and HMI software enable the device to be expanded into a small industrial control unit.