What is a MODBUS weather station?
Modbus is a type of serial communications protocol. When your weather station utilises Modbus, your programmable controller can monitor and carry out actions based on wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and more, depending on your weather station's functionality.
If understanding and tracking weather is your passion, and if you're curious about process automation, you have to check out Modbus weather stations.
What is Modbus?
Modbus is a serial communications protocol that is the oldest and still one of the most popular automation protocols in the field of process automation or SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition).
A serial communications protocol allows two or more entities of a communications system to transmit information via any kind of variation of a physical quantity. A communications protocol defines the communication rules, semantics, syntax, synchronisation, and possible error recovery methods.
Modbus Communication
Modbus provides a 'common language' for devices and enables communication across a wide range of different brands and accessories connected on the same network. Modbus uses RS485, RS232, RS422, and Ethernet as its physical serial communication.
Modbus devices communicate using a master/slave (or client/server for Ethernet) technique. Only aMaster device can initiate transactions and queries. A slave is any peripheral device, such as a weather station. A 'slave' processes transactions or queries and either sends its response or action requests from a master supervisory computer or PLC (programmable logic controller) using Modbus.
Over more recent years, Modbus has become a common standard for connecting industrial electronic devices, mostly because it's relatively easy to deploy and has little restrictions on the data to be transmitted.
Several versions of the Modbus protocol exist for both serial port (RS485, RS232, RS422) and Ethernet. The most common are;
- Modbus RTU
- Modbus ASCII
- Modbus TCP/IP
- Modbus Plus
Modbus Weather Stations
Modbus Weather stations enable you to connect weather stations to your RTU (remote telemetry unit), PLC (programmable logic controller), or SCADA system. Weather stations with Modbus allow your programmable controller to monitor and carry out actions based on wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and more, depending on the weather station's functionality.
Modbus Gateway and Weather Station Kit Examples
To illustrate the type of Mobus solutions for weather stations that are available, Instrument Choice scientists have selected an example of a Modbus gateway that's compatible with many models of Davis weather stations. They have then chosen an example of a completely Modbus-enabled weather station kit, so you can compare.
Click the product links to view the full features and specifications, or for more information, contact us.
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Modbus TCP Weather Station GatewayProduct Code: ICKTA-282 The ICKTA-282 is a Modbus gateway (only). This gateway allows you to easily connect your PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), RTU (Remote Telemetry Unit) or SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Aquisition) system to a number of the Davis weather stations.
The gateway plugs into the weather stations console using the Davis WeatherLink cable (Weather Link for Vantage Pro Serial) and will appear on the Modbus network as a Modbus TCP/IP or RTU slave. This connection allows your programmable controller to monitor and carry out actions based on weather events, e.g., wind speed and temperature.
Looking for a complete station and Modbus Kit? The following Davis Weather Station and ICKTA-282 Kits are available;
 Figure 3: Example of a Davis Modbus Weather Station Kit. Click here to view specifications. |
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RainWise MK-lll-LR Computer Package (ModBus)Conclusion
To recap,Modbus is a serial communication protocol that allows your weather station to communicate with other devices. Utilising a third-party gateway or purchasing a Modbus enabled weather station kit means your weather station will easily interface with your PLC, RTU, or SCADA system and carry out actions based on weather events.
If automating your weather station "turns you on," and you would like any more information on Modbus weather stations or Modbus gateways, contact an Instrument Choice Scientist. We're here to help! Phone 1300 737 871 or email [email protected]
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