MQTT, OPC UA and cloud connectivity
Helmholz supplies IoT gateways that bring PLC and sensor data to MQTT, OPC UA and the cloud: from a PROFINET controller, from existing S7 and Modbus TCP PLCs, or straight from IO-Link sensors.
- PROFINET to MQTT V3.1.1 and V5, up to 100 values, with TLS encryption
- Read existing S7 and Modbus TCP PLCs as OPC UA server and MQTT client, without changing the PLC program
- Edge computing with your own containers on ARM or x64, managed remotely if you wish
- Design review, troubleshooting on site and advice
Go straight to
Selection
Where does your data come from?
With a coupler the PLC program decides which values go to IT; a protocol converter reads PLCs that are already running, an edge gateway runs your own software and sensorEDGE reads IO-Link sensors directly.
PROFINET to MQTT
The PN/MQTT Coupler exchanges values between a PROFINET controller and an MQTT broker, on premise or in the cloud. The PLC publishes values and receives subscribed values as normal IO data, assigned via the GSDML file.
PN/MQTT Coupler
700-162-3MQ02. MQTT V3.1.1 and V5, up to 100 values, TLS and certificate authentication, separate and galvanically isolated networks for PROFINET and MQTT.
MQTT
MQTT broker and basics
Every MQTT connection runs via a broker. See how topics, QoS and the broker work together.
S7 and Modbus TCP to OPC UA and MQTT
A protocol converter reads data points from S7 and Modbus TCP controllers that are already running and makes them available via OPC UA and MQTT. The PLC program stays as it is, and as a standalone device the converter leaves the PLC cycle time untouched.
The S7-EDGE protocol converter reads S7 and Modbus TCP in one device, with MQTT publish and subscribe, OpenVPN and Node-RED on board. uaGate SI and uaGate MB each serve one controller family with an OPC UA server for up to 20,000 nodes and an MQTT publisher for up to 1,000 topics.
S7-EDGE protocol converter
Up to 2,000 data points every 100 ms from up to 100 PLCs, configured in the browser.
- Converter · GC300T-0-03
- With web visualisation · GC300TW-0-03
- Connector 2×10-pin · E-CONS20D-00
uaGate SI and uaGate MB
OPC UA server and MQTT publisher, 22.5 mm wide, configured in the browser.
Edge computing with containers
netFIELD edge gateways aggregate, process and forward IIoT data with your own software in containers, in parallel to the running production. Devices and containers can be managed centrally via the netFIELD Cloud.
netFIELD Compact
ARM platform with 2 or 4 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC, secure boot, 1 Gbit/s and 100 Mbit/s Ethernet, RS-232 or RS-485, −20 to +60 °C. The X8MC adds CAN FD, 4 digital inputs, 4 digital outputs and a TPM 2.0.
- X8M, 2 GB · 1918.010
- X8M4, 4 GB · 1918.017
- X8MC, CAN FD, I/O, TPM · 1918.012
netFIELD Unity
x64 platform for heavier applications: Intel Atom x6413E, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, 2 x Gbit Ethernet, 2 x RS-232/422/485, 2 x DisplayPort. Unity Pro adds 2 Real-Time Ethernet ports for the OT network.
- Unity · 1918.021
- Unity Pro, Real-Time Ethernet · 1918.022
IO-Link sensors to MQTT and your own applications
sensorEDGE FIELD is an IP67 IO-Link master with an Ethernet uplink and a container engine: up to eight IO-Link sensors, their data on an internal MQTT bus, and your own applications in containers to process and forward it, in parallel to the machine control. Devices and containers can be managed centrally via the netFIELD Cloud.
sensorEDGE FIELD
1915.231. 8 IO-Link ports Class A, IO-Link to MQTT, container engine, IP67, −25 to +60 °C.
IO-Link
IO-Link and IO-Link Wireless
IO-Link Wireless masters and bridges bring IO-Link sensors on moving and hard-to-reach machine parts into PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT.
Before you build
What we check first in an IoT project
- Which values, how often. An IoT gateway sends selected values, not the full process image. Start with a list of data points, their update rate and where each value gets its timestamp: in the PLC, in the gateway or in the broker.
- One topic structure. Agree on the MQTT topic structure before the first device goes live, for example site/line/machine/value. Changing it later means changing every subscriber.
- Who owns what. Decide with IT who manages the broker, the certificates and the firewall rules, so the connection keeps running after the commissioning.
- Separate networks. Keep the PROFINET network and the IT network apart, so IT traffic stays out of the real-time network. The PN/MQTT Coupler has a galvanically isolated port for each side.
- Access to the S7 PLC. Reading an S7-1200 or S7-1500 from outside uses PUT/GET access in the CPU. Check which data blocks you need; uaGate SI also reads optimised data blocks.
FAQ
Your question not listed? Ask us directly.
IoT gateway or fieldbus gateway?
A fieldbus gateway connects two automation networks, such as PROFINET and EtherNet/IP. An IoT gateway brings automation data to IT and cloud systems via protocols such as MQTT and OPC UA.
MQTT or OPC UA?
MQTT sends messages via a central broker and suits cloud platforms and many receivers. OPC UA offers structured data that a client reads directly from a server, common for MES and SCADA. The S7-EDGE protocol converter and uaGate offer both.
Can I read my S7 PLC without changing the program?
Yes. The S7-EDGE protocol converter and uaGate SI read data points as standalone devices, so the PLC program and the cycle time stay as they are. uaGate SI supports S7-300, S7-400, S7-1200 and S7-1500.
How many values does the PN/MQTT Coupler send?
Up to 100 values at the same time, in both directions: publish from the PLC and subscribe into the PLC. The values are assigned as IO data via the GSDML file.
Which cloud or IT system can I connect?
Any system that works with MQTT or OPC UA. The PN/MQTT Coupler connects to any MQTT V3.1.1 or V5 broker, including AWS IoT, Microsoft Azure and HiveMQ, on premise or in the cloud. The S7-EDGE protocol converter and uaGate offer an OPC UA server for MES and SCADA and an MQTT client for cloud platforms. On netFIELD and sensorEDGE FIELD you run your own software in containers, so the connection is whatever that software supports.
Can I run my own software on the gateway?
Yes, on netFIELD and on sensorEDGE FIELD. netFIELD Compact runs ARM containers with 2 or 4 GB RAM, netFIELD Unity runs x64 containers with 8 GB RAM and a 128 GB SSD, and sensorEDGE FIELD runs your containers next to its IO-Link data. Devices and containers can be managed remotely via the netFIELD Cloud.
How many IO-Link sensors per sensorEDGE?
Up to eight IO-Link sensors on eight Class A ports, in an IP67 housing for −25 to +60 °C.
Bring your machine data to IT
Tell us where the data comes from and where it needs to go; we help you choose the right gateway.