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COUPLERS

Tpa couplers allow you to connect the expansion modules to the implemented fieldbuses. Each device has 16 digital I/O lines at 24 V (short-circuit proof, LED signals), so that the cost of the node is better amortized. You will also find custom couplers in this section, designed and developed to make specific devices interface with different fieldbuses, such as solenoid valve blocks, for instance.

Two LAN cables with the EtherCAT logo
EtherCAT logo

EtherCAT is an Ethernet-based, real-time communication technology, especially suited for communication between control systems and peripherals, like I/O systems, sensors, and drives. EtherCAT makes it possible to use Ethernet in the industrial automation field, as it grants short updating times, low communication jitter, and a low price. EtherCAT can optimize the network performance thanks to all the different network slave-devices directly processing the frame on the fly. Using the Distributed Clock allows us to synchronize all the secondary devices with a jitter lower than 1 μs. As for the interface towards the applications, EtherCAT can use the protocols CoE (CANopen over EtherCAT), SoE (SERCOS over EtherCAT), FoE (File Access over EtherCAT), and EoE (Ethernet over EtherCAT), so to guarantee compatibility with the most common real-time fieldbus technologies and with the standard Ethernet ones, such as TCP/IP, UDP/IP, or FTP.

TRS-CAT

code TRS0.2.01

The coupler TRS-CAT allows you to connect an EtherCAT bus to a TRS bus and it can be mounted on DIN rails.

TRS-CAT is a complex slave device (bus coupler) as determined by ETG specifications. TRS-CAT includes 16 bidirectional digital I/O lines; each is configurable either as input or output. You can expand the TRS-CAT module with any TRS expansion unit, until a maximum of seven expansions.

TRS-CAT is compliant with EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.

INPUT FUNCTIONS

  • Digital debounce filter;

  • input sampling synchronous with the PLC scheduler.

OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

  • Highest current per output: 0.5 A;

  • output overload and overvoltage protection (36 V);

  • real-time output re-reading (software diagnostics);

  • output activation synchronous with the PLC scheduler.

Tpa TRS-CAT bus coupler, EtherCAT, 16 bidirectional digital I/O channels, expandable

Star-CAT

code TRS0.2.02

Star-CAT is a hub designed for EtherCAT fieldbus.

Star-CAT turns an EtherCAT linear network topology into a star topology by using an input channel and up to 3 different output channels.

FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • It interfaces by connecting the input to any point of the EtherCAT network, verifying that the transmission flow includes the first master;

  • it connects to the EtherCAT bus through RJ-45 connectors;

  • it is possible to connect the three outputs to any other EtherCAT slave line, or again, a Star-CAT module, was a further “branching” of the network needed;

  • LED signalling the status of module and EtherCAT communication, in compliance with ETG specifications.

Tpa Star-CAT hub for EtherCAT fieldbus, 1 input, 3 outputs
GreenBUS logo, Tpa’s protocol for field device communication

GREENBUS 4

GreenBUS 4.0 is Tpa dedicated protocol for field device communication.

It is an isochronous serial communication between a master device – numerical control or PLC – and several slave devices – the remote devices (couplers and expansions). Electrically speaking, it is comparable to a RS-422 serial bus, that, in addition, feeds remote devices. Thanks to its isochrony, the GreenBUS 4.0 protocol is able to have remote devices communicate with a refresh time that ranges between 1 and 4 ms, in a strictly deterministic way, at 4 Mbit/s through a common Ethernet cable. GreenBUS 4.0 grants the remote management of the analog axes, supports the output-rereading, does not need configuring the remote devices, and shrinks the hardware complexity and costs, thanks to the essentiality of the protocol.

TRS-IO

code TRS0.1.01

The bus coupler TRS-IO allows connecting the GreenBUS 4.0 to all TRS IO-expansion modules, with mechanical housing on DIN rail.

TRS-IO includes 16 bidirectional digital I/O lines. Each line is configurable either as input or as output. It is possible to expand a TRS-IO module with any TRS expansion unit, up to a limit of five.

TRS-IO is compliant with EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.

INPUT FUNCTIONS

  • Digital debounce filter at 2 ms;

  • input sampling synchronous with the PLC scheduler;

  • False max. limit <10 Vdc, True min. limit >18 Vdc;

  • current draw of each input: 3 mA.

OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

  • 24 Vdc voltage, with 0.5 A the highest current per each output;

  • output overload and overvoltage protection (36 V);

  • real-time output re-reading (software diagnostics);

  • automatic output reset in case of short circuit;

  • output activation synchronous with the PLC scheduler.

Tpa TRS-IO bus coupler, GreenBUS, 16 bidirectional digital I/O channels, expandable

TRS-AX

code TRS0.1.02

The bus coupler TRS-AX can be mounted on DIN rails. It connects four counters for incremental encoders and as many analog outputs to the GreenBUS 4.0. The combination of counters and analog outputs on the same device allows you to manage a configuration of up to 4 axes; each axis can be either analog (±10 V) or stepper.

Available to each axis are the interfacing functions with differential encoders, including the zero-index signal and the possibility to manage a fast input.

It includes four digital outputs (0-24 V), able to drive loads with a maximum current of 0.5 A, and four fast digital inputs (0-24 V) to support interrupt functions, such as the axis set-point or the measuring function.

TRS-AX is compliant with EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.

DIGITAL OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

  • Supporting up to N outputs (with N = 4 - n° of configured stepper axes);

  • highest current per output: 0.5 A;

  • output overload and overvoltage protection (36 V);

  • real-time output re-reading (software diagnostics);

  • the I/O can be wired with spring-cage or screw terminals (AWG 24, AWG 12), they can be wired directly on the axis cables;

  • field powered separately from the logic circuitry;

  • light indicators signalling the output status.

ANALOG OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

  • Up to four 16-bit analog outputs, ±10 V;

  • re-reading (software diagnostics) and light indicators of eventual errors.

INPUT FUNCTIONS

  • 1 fast input managed in interrupt, can be enabled via software.

Tpa TRS-AX bus coupler, GreenBUS, up to 4 axes, analog or stepper

Star-TRS

code TRS0.1.04

Star-TRS is a hub designed for the GreenBUS 3.0/4.0 fieldbus, consisting of 1 input and 4 output lines. Star-TRS allows connecting Tpa remote modules through a star topology.

Moreover, Star-TRS amplifies the signal, allowing for connections at longer distances. Thanks to Star-TRS, even the most geometrically complex tool machines will be able to use Tpa remote modules.

FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Connection to control unit or remote module via GreenBUS 3.0/4.0;

  • GreenBUS 3.0/4.0 uses a standard Ethernet 100BASE-TX cable (Cat 5 or higher) and standard RJ-45 connectors;

  • possibility to disable through switch any of the 4 GreenBUS lines;

  • light indicators signalling the communication;

  • light indicators signalling the power supply;

  • compliant with the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.

Tpa Star-TRS hub, GreenBUS, signal amplifier

TRS-EV-24

code TRS0.1.03

The bus coupler TRS-EV-24 all solenoid valve modules that interface through a Canon 25-pin connector to connect to the GreenBUS 4.0. The TRS-EV-24 has 24 built-in digital output lines. The module TRS-EV-24 is not expandable.

OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

  • 24 Vdc voltage, highest current per output: 0.5 A;

  • output overload and overvoltage protection (40 V);

  • automatic output reset in case of short circuit;

  • output activation synchronous with the PLC scheduler.

FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Connection to control unit via GreenBUS 4.0;

  • logic circuitry of coupler powered through GreenBUS 4.0;

  • field powered separately from the logic circuitry;

  • field reverse polarity protection;

  • light indicators signalling the power is on;

  • can be mounted directly on EV group or DIN rails, EN 50022 or EN 50035;

  • size: 62*106*24.5 mm.

Tpa TRS-EV-24 bus coupler, GreenBUS, Canon 25-pin connector, 24 digital output channels

TRS-LED

CODE TRS0.3.02

Bus coupler for LED strips
TRS-LED

The TRS-LED bus coupler allows you to connect to the RS485/RS422 serial line up to 2 channels of LED strips, compliant with the WS2812B protocol. The LED strips can be 5 metres long maximum and have up to 1000 LED per channel.

In case of short distance from the device, the WS2812B LED strips can be directly connected via cable. In case the distance from the device is longer than 30 cm, each strip channel must be connected to a TRS-LED Extender. As all devices of the TRS line, it can be mounted on a DIN rail.

TRS-LED is compliant with the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.

OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

  • 5 Vdc voltage, highest current per output: 15 A;

  • two output lines, can be configured as single-ended or differential;

  • two outputs used to control the LED strips;

  • output signal compliant with the WS2812b protocol;

  • 2.5 MHz signal speed.

FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Connection to the control unit through RS422/485 serial line;

  • DIP switch for addressing and testing functions;

  • switching-mode power supply;

  • coupler logic circuitry directly powered through an external power adapter;

  • field likewise powered through an external power adapter;

  • the I/O can be wired with spring-cage or screw terminals (AWG 24, AWG 12);

  • can be mounted on EN 50022 or EN 50035 DIN rails;

  • size: 70*138*25 mm.

TRS-485

CODE TRS0.3.01

Tpa TRS-485 bus coupler, GreenBUS, 16 bidirectional digital I/O channels, up to 5 expansions

The bus coupler TRS-485 allows you to connect all TRS-IO-expansion modules to the RS-485 1.0 serial line with mechanical housing on DIN rail. TRS-485 includes 16 bidirectional digital I/O lines. Each line can be either configured as input or as output. It is possible to expand TRS-485 with any other TRS expansion unit, until a maximum of five.

TRS-485 is compliant with the EMC directive 2004/108/EC.

INPUT FUNCTIONS

  • Digital debounce filter at 2 ms;

  • False max. limit <10 Vdc, True min. limit >18 Vdc;

  • current draw of each input: 3 mA.

OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

  • 24 Vdc voltage, highest current per output: 0.5 A;

  • output overload and overvoltage protection (36 V);

  • output re-reading (software diagnostics);

  • automatic reset of outputs in case of short-circuit.

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