TwinCAT IoT Communicator Provides Secure Transfer of Process Data to Mobile Devices

Beckhoff app for tablets and smartphones uses TLS encryption and MQTT protocol to enable easy mobile device integration

SAVAGE, Minnesota – The TwinCAT IoT Communicator makes it easy for PLCs to communicate with mobile devices by connecting the PC-based TwinCAT controller directly and securely to a messaging service through TLS encryption. For smartphone and tablet users, the associated IoT Communicator App from Beckhoff ensures that process data can be represented on all mobile devices in a clear overview. Alarms are sent to the device as push messages.

The TwinCAT 3 IoT Communicator exchanges data using a publish/subscribe mechanism. Since no special firewall settings are needed, integration into an existing IT network is easy. Information is exchanged via a message broker that uses the standardized MQTT protocol and acts as a central messaging service in a cloud or local network. A high level of communication security is guaranteed by proven TLS encryption (up to version 1.2).

ROI Calculator

Discover the potential cost savings of robotic automation over a 20-year system life

This calculator compares your current manual labor costs against the total cost of owning and operating a robotic system over its 20-year lifespan.

EXPLORE TODAY

Transmitted process data can be displayed on mobile devices using the IoT Communicator App, which is available for both Android and iOS operating systems. The IoT Communicator App also incorporates an integrated QR code scanner to facilitate entry of access data for communication between the broker and individual users.

The TwinCAT IoT Communicator simplifies the transmission of push messages in industrial applications. It offers a number of advantages over conventional email and SMS messages by visualizing live data, variables and status values. This makes the IoT Communicator an ideal addition to the related TwinCAT IoT and TwinCAT Analytics software products.