Modbus Data

communications
systems
by
Steve Mackay

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 Overall Presentation
A review of the Modbus Protocol and related
some troubleshooting issues.

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 Objectives
• Give an introduction to Modbus
• Review simple troubleshooting steps

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 Topics

• Introduction to Modbus
protocol
• Troubleshooting Modbus
• Conclusion

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 1.0 Introduction
to Modbus

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 Objective
• The Modbus Messaging protocol

• The transportation of Modbus requests and responses on serial

networks

• Modbus memory allocation

• Modbus Function Codes and their application

• The difference between Modbus RTU and ASCII

• Troubleshooting Modbus systems in terms of:

No response to requests

Exception responses
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 Modbus messaging
• Application layer (OSI layer 7) protocol that
provides client/server communication
between devices connected to different types
of buses or networks

• ‘Request/Response’ type protocol and not a

‘master/slave’ type protocol

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 Master-slave interaction

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 Modbus transaction

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 Modbus Serial communication stack

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 Modbus Serial ADU

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 Modbus....
• The Address field

• The Function field

• The Data field

• The Error Check field

Allocation of Modicon memory address blocks

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 RTU mode
• 8 data bits, even, odd or no parity, 1 or 2 stop bits
• Gap of 3 ½ character lengths used for header
(3 ½ mS)
• Same for trailer
• Gap in transmission >1,5ms causes frame to be discarded
• CRC error checking
• 999810 transmitted as <0x27><0x0E> (2 bytes)

RTU message frame

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 ASCII Mode
• 7 data bits, even, odd or no parity, 1 or 2 stop bits
• Header = : (colon)
• Trailer = <CR> <LF>
• Gaps of 1 second in frame acceptable
• LRC error checking (not CRC)
• 999810 (0x270E) transmitted as the ASCII string 270E i.e.
<0x32><0x37><0x30><0x45> (4 bytes)

ASCII message frame

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 Function Code

• FC01- reading coils-RTU mode :

• Read input discrete :

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 Function Codes....
• Read multiple registers :

• FC04-reading input register

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 Function Codes....

• Write coil :

• Write single register :

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 Force multiple coils

• Write multiple registers :

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 2.0 Modbus - Troubleshooting

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 Typical problems
• Hardware or software problems :

Mis-wired communication cabling and faulty

• Hardware problems
communication interfaces

Controller application tries to access

non-existent target devices nodes or
• Software (protocol) use invalid Function Codes, address
related problems non-existent memory locations in the
target devices, or specify illegal data
format types

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 Tools used
RS-232 breakout boxes, RS-232 to RS-485
converters, continuity testers, voltmeters,
• Hardware tools :
screwdrivers, pliers, crimping tools and
cabling tools.

• Software tools Protocol analyzer

• Hardware troubleshooting

• Software troubleshooting

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 Overall Concept

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 Tools of the trade
• Cable tester
• TCP/IP (and other third party) Utilities
• Protocol Analyzer (e.g. Wireshark)

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 Hardware and Physical Cabling
• Check cable on both sides of connection
• Switch lights
• Incorrect wire type and components
• Straight versus cross over cable
• Excessive untwists
• Damaged RJ-45 connector
• Electrical noise and shielding

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 TCP/IP Utilities
• Ping
• Arp
• Netstat
• Nbtstat
• Ipconfig
• Tracert

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 Ping -t
• Easiest ways to test connectivity across the network and
confirm that an IP address is reachable

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 Arp -a
• Displays hardware and IP address mapping

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 Netstat -e
• Displays activities since
last reboot
• Useful data on any
problems

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 Nbtstat
• Protocol Stats & TCP/IP connections

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 Ipconfig /all

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 Tracert

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 Packet Analysis

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 OSI Model

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 Packet Structure

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 Section 3
Conclusion

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 Thank You For Your Interest
If you are interested in further training, please visit:
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