MELSEC Communication Protocol

Supported hardware and firmware

Cloud Logging via MELSEC Communication Protocol is supported on the x500 in firmware 3.17 and up, for the following Mitsubishi PLCs:

  • MELSEC-L Series: LO2CPU-P*
  • MELSEC-Q Series
  • MELSEC iQ-R Series: R08CPU*
  • MELSEC iQ-F Series

other CPUs in this series may also be supported, but are unconfirmed


Please upgrade your firmware if you are running an older version.

Activate Cloud Logging

Please first activate Cloud Logging (or start the 30 day free trial) if you haven't already.

The Second step in Cloud Logging is setting up a data source. This is done by selecting a communication protocol and defining the variables. This article shows you how to do this for a Mitsubishi PLC in both MELSOFT GX Works2 and GX Works3.

  • PLC settings
    • GX Works2
    • GX Works3
  • Select a communication protocol
  • Add variables
  • Test variables
  • Manage variables

PLC settings

Depending on the type of Mitsubishi PLC you’re using, the setup of the PLC has to be performed in either GX Works2 or GX Works3:

  • L and Q series are set up using GX Works2.
  • iQ-F and iQ-R series are set up using GX Works3.

GX Works2

Setting up the CPU Module enables the PLC to communicate with an external device (i.e. the x500). This can be done by following the next steps:

  • In the Project Window, open [Parameter] > [PLC Parameter] and go to the tab [Built-in Ethernet Port Setting].
  • If you haven’t already, enter an IP address for the CPU Module (indicated by #1) and a Subnet Mask Pattern (usually 255.255.255.0).
  • Check the option “Set Open Setting in Ethernet Configuration window” and press [Ethernet Conf.] (indicated by #2).

  • On a new row, select protocol “TCP”, select open system “MC Protocol” and choose a Host Station Port Number between 1025-4999 or 5010-65534.

TCP or UDP?

We support both the TCP and UDP protocol, but recommend using TCP as this protocol is less error-prone.

Next step
Your PLC is now ready and you can continue setting up the x500 by selecting a communication protocol.

GX Works3

Setting up the CPU Module enables the PLC to communicate with an external device (i.e. the x500). This can be done by following the next steps:

  • In the Navigation pane, go to [Parameter] > [CPU] (FX5UCPU in the example below) > [Module parameter].
  • Open the [Ethernet Port] parameters.

  • Expand [Basic Settings] in the Item List and double click [External Device Configuration].
  • Expand Setting Item [External Device Configuration] and open the External Device Configuration window by double clicking “<Detailed Setting>“.

  • Expand [Ethernet Device (General)] in the Module List.
  • Drag and drop [SLMP Connection] into the grey area. This is the MELSEC Communication Protocol.
  • Select protocol “TCP” and choose a Port No. between 1025-4999 or 5010-65534.
  • Save the setting by pressing [Close with Reflecting the Setting] at the top.

  • [Apply] the new project setting.

Now all that’s left is to write these settings to the PLC.

  • In the top menu, press [Online] > [Write to PLC…].

  • Expand [Parameter], make sure “Module Parameter” is checked, and press [Execute].

TCP or UDP?

We support both the TCP and UDP protocol, but recommend using TCP as this protocol is less error-prone.

Next step
Your PLC is now ready and you can continue setting up the x500 by selecting a communication protocol.

Select a communication protocol

You first have to select a communication protocol. This is the protocol that the x500 will use to communicate with the PLC.

  • Go to the Fleet Manager app, which is accessible from the Apps menu in the top right corner if you are currently in a different X4 Remote app.
  • Open the Main menu, go to Devices, and select the concerning device.
  • Click on the Add a service icon in the left menu, select [Data source], and then select [MELSEC Communication Protocol].
  • Enter the requested information (details below) and click on [Add].
Variable Description
Name Enter a name for the data source.
Identifier The identifier ensures that every data source remains unique, even if they share the same name.
IP address Enter the IP address of your PLC.
Port

Enter the Port No. that you configured in your PLC.

This is named “Host Station Port Number” in GX Works2.
MELSEC Serie

The Mitsubishi MELSEC PLC series to which your PLC belongs.

If you’re unsure, please consult the Mitsubishi website. “QnUCPU” is Mitsubishi’s notation for every MELSEC-Q Series PLC with CPU type Q..U..CPU, for example Q04UDVCPU or Q26UDEHCPU.
Transport protocol Select the same protocol that you configured in your PLC.
Network No. and PC No.

If configured in the PLC, enter the correct settings here. If not, leave the default settings.

Applicable when using a custom MELSEC PLC network.
Request destination module I/O No. and Request destination module station No.

If configured in the PLC, enter the correct settings here. If not, leave the default settings.

Applicable when using a specific I/O module for communication.
Authentication type The Ethernet connection in the PLC may be password protected. Enter the password or leave it empty if no password is configured on the PLC.
Polling sleep time

To log data as accurately as possible, the x500 continuously asks the variables’ values from the PLC (this does not count towards your license’s dps/hr). While the x500 does wait for the PLC to reply before asking again, in very rare cases this may noticeably impact the PLC’s performance.

In such a rare situation you may want to change this setting to 100ms or higher. In general “None” is recommended for Cloud Logging to be as accurately as possible.

Add variables

Once you’ve added a data source and selected a communication protocol, you can start adding variables. You can do this by following the steps below:

  • Expand the Data source service and go to [Variables].
  • You can now choose to:
    • Manually add new variables
    • Import variables from a file (or device)

Tip!
It is advisable to add variables in small batches and test them to verify their configuration.

Manually add new variables

  • Click on [Add variable] in the bottom right corner.
  • Enter the requested information (details below) and click on [Add].

Use GX Works to find these values for each variable that you want to use. 

Field Description
Name Enter a name for the variable.
Identifier The identifier ensures that every variable remains unique, even if they share the same name.
Type Select the variable’s data type (bool, int, float, etc).
Device type

Select the variable’s device type (register type). Each type requires to be entered in either decimal or hexadecimal notation, details below.

Device type Notation
SM – Special relay Decimal
SD – Special register Decimal
X – Input Hexadecimal
Y – Output Hexadecimal
M – Internal relay Decimal
L – Latch relay Decimal
F – Annunciator Decimal
V – Edge relay Decimal
B – Link relay Hexadecimal
D – Data register Decimal
W – Link register Hexadecimal
TS – Timer (Contact) Decimal
TC – Time (Coil) Decimal
TN – Timer (Current Value) Decimal
TS – Retentive timer (Contact) Decimal
TC – Retentive timer (Coil) Decimal
SN – Retentivetimer (Current Value) Decimal
CS – Counter (Contact) Decimal
CC – Counter (Coil) Decimal
CN – Counter (Current Value) Decimal
SB – Link special relay Hexadecimal
SW – Link special register Hexadecimal
DX – Direct access input Hexadecimal
DY – Direct access output Hexadecimal
Z – Index register Decimal
R – Block switching method Decimal
ZR – Serial number access method Hexadecimal
Device No. Enter the variable’s address.
Factor Multiplies the value (leave empty if the data type is boolean).
Unit Displayed text behind the value.

Temporary disconnect

After this next step, the config push, the device may temporarily disconnect and LAN communication may be temporarily interrupted while it's applying the new settings. This may take a minute.

You have now made the changes in X4 Remote, but these are not yet active in your device. You will need to push your changes to your device for them to take effect.

  • Click [Push config to device] in the top right corner.

Next step
Now that you've added the variables, you can test if they're configured properly.

Import variables from a file (or device)

You can easily and effortlessly copy variables from one device to another by exporting the concerning variables (view the “Manage variables” part of this article) and then importing them in your new device. Alternatively, you can manually prepare your variables in the required CSV format to load them all at once into your configurator. The CSV file structure is explained in our Import variables article.

  • Click on [Import from CSV-file] in the top right corner of the screen.
  • Select a CSV file to import and click on [Open].

Temporary disconnect

After this next step, the config push, the device may temporarily disconnect and LAN communication may be temporarily interrupted while it's applying the new settings. This may take a minute.

You have now made the changes in X4 Remote, but these are not yet active in your device. You will need to push your changes to your device for them to take effect.

  • Click [Push config to device] in the top right corner.

Next step
Now that you've added the variables, you can test if they're configured properly.

Test variables

The test utility is used to check if all the added variables are set correctly. It shows the communication status with the PLC and displays each variable’s current value if everything is configured correctly. If not, the values will stay empty. The test utility will attempt to update values every 0.5 seconds, regardless of how often it’s actually being logged (this does not count towards your license’s dps/hr). Please follow the steps below to test your variables.

  • Expand the Data source service, go to [Variables], and click on [Run test] at the top.

A connection will now be set up to stream the data directly to your computer, using:

Port Transport protocol Application protocol
443 TCP WebSocket

You will see live values of all variables, if the configuration is set up correctly.

Unexpected result?

If the test utility shows unexpected values, please check if the addresses and data types of all variables are entered correctly. If you get an error message, please check Common error messages for more info. If you get no data at all, please also check that the above listed port and protocols are not being blocked by your computer's or company's firewall.

Next step
Now that you've tested the variables, you can view our "Configure data tags" guide to start logging.

Manage variables

You can view all defined variables on the variables page:

  • Expand the Data source service and go to [Variables].

You can [Edit] individual variables, [Remove] individual or a selection of variables, and export all or a selection of variables.

Variables can be selected by clicking the checkbox on the left, or you can select them all by clicking the checkbox at the top.

 

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