Table of content
IP I/O module - low cost I/O over Ethernet
The IP I/O module is an open-design hardware unit for I/O over Ethernet. It provides:
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 Top view of the IP I/O module, 2nd generation. |
Open design means that everything about the IP I/O module is open source and free for anyone to use: the electrical design, the communication protocols, the software libraries for the host computer, the documentation, etc. From the matrial on this web page anyone can make their own IP I/O modules (and derivatives), order them from professional electrical devices makers (all information is open and free), or, of course, order them ready-made from Raditex Control AB.
The DIN-rail mount and POE (power over Ethernet) makes IP I/O modules ideally suited for e.g. industrial control applications and for building automation. In fact, the variety of input/output ports makes it an extremly versatile I/O unit that meets the requirements for most control application.
The IP I/O module version II uses the industrial-standard protocol Modbus-UDP for communication over Ethernet. This allows for instant integration with a vast amount of existing control equipment, and Raditex Control provides an open source Modbus communication library which also makes it easy to develop custom control applications for PCs and embedded systems.
Pricing and availability
Please contact Raditex Control, info@raditex.nu, for current pricing and availability. We expect that the new IP I/O module will be available for shiping from fall 2010.
Hardware
All the electrical circuit diagrams and other source material related to the hardware design and manufacturing is published as open source. See the Download section below.
Software
The IP I/O module software packages contains:
- libmodbus: A library for Modbus TCP/UDP that is used for communicating with the IP I/O module.
- libipio-modbus: A convenience library that provides a simple and easy-to-use API for communicating with IP I/O modules. Internally, it uses the libmodbus library for sending Modbus commands over UDP.
- winipio: A graphical control panel and demo application.
- ipio-bin: Command-line applications for reading/writing commands to an IP I/O module.
A graphical control panel for the IP I/O module.
Documentation
The IP I/O module user manual describes how to setup and configure an IP I/O module, as well as the electrical characteristics of the I/O units. It also gives an overview of the utility tools included in the software package, and it covers how Modbus UDP can be used to communicate with the IP I/O module.
This document is still under preparation, and new changes and additions to the current document is expected in the near future.
Download
The IP I/O material is divided into two packages: The software package and the hardware package. The software package contains the source code for the host applications and the IP I/O firmware code. This package is useful for owners of IP I/O modules. The hardware package contains the all the blueprints and electrical design files for the IP I/O module. This package is useful for those who want to build their own IP I/O modules or make derivative hardware designs.
| Package | Version | Description of content |
|---|---|---|
| ipio-software | 1.0 | Demo applications, command-line tools, API library, and documentation. |
| ipio-firmware | 1.0 | Firmware for the PIC processor in the IP I/O module. |
| ipio-hardware | 1.0 | Electrical circuit design files. |
License
Copyright (c) 2010-2011, Raditex Control AB/Ekofektiv AB
All rights reserved.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
- Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
- Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
- Neither the name of the Raditex Control AB nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULA R PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREME NT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTH ERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
IP I/O News 
2011-05-06:
The IP I/O hardware design documents are now published.
2010-08-08:
A preliminary version of the IP I/O module user manual has been published. The document will be extended and updated during the next couple of months.
2010-08-01:
A new, improved, and completely redesigned IP I/O module has been developed, and is scheduled to be released during Aug. 2010.