Frequently asked questions UNIGATE

How to carry out a Firmware update at UNIGATE?

You can find an explanation on the site Firmware update.

I encountered problems with the RS232 connection between UNIGATE and PC. What to do when WINGATE says "no Gateway found"?

If the UNIGATE sends a message, but WINGATE says "no Gateway found", the Rx line is not properly connected to the UNIGATE. Check the line with a meter (DVM): between GND and Rx = 7 V, as well as GND and Tx = 7 V. The 7 V may vary between 6 and 9 V, but have to be equal on one unit. If one of the two connections is 0 V, Rx and Tx are switched or connected incorrectly.

How to connect an UNIGATE with the RS232-interface (COM port) at the PC?

At the PC COM port there is a 9-pole D-SUB pin connection with the following assignment:

PIN 2 - Rx (from the PC's point of view)

PIN 3 - Tx (from the PC's point of view)

PIN 5 - GND

Example: At the UNIGATE CL the assignment of the X1 is as follows:

PIN 1 - Rx 232 (from the UNIGATE's point of view)

PIN 2 - Tx 232 (from the UNIGATE's point of view)

PIN 3 - AP-GND

Generally always the Rx of the PC has to be connected with the Tx of the UNIGATE and the Tx of the PC with the Rx of the UNIGATE. Also the GND always has to be connected.

For the above example it comes to the following cable assignment:

UNIGATE X1 PIN1 ↔ PC PIN3

UNIGATE X1 PIN2 ↔ PC PIN2

UNIGATE X1 PIN3 ↔ PC PIN5

Does UNIGATE have a "test mode"?

Yes, there is a test mode.

The interface-switch has to be set to position »RS232« and the two rotary coding switches on the serial side (S4 + S5) have to be set to »EE« in order to put the device into the test mode.

After the restart the UNIGATE sends a byte on the serial side from »0-F« every second (some devices will first do a 15 to 30 seconds lasting self test). On the Fieldbus this output occurs accordinglywith the length depending on the set bus width. If useful data is sent to the UNIGATE (serial and Fieldbus) they are sent back from the UNIGATE (ECHO).

How to get my script into the device?

Advice: Please always use the current version of the corresponding software.

Basically there are two ways to load the script into the UNIGATE.

Possibility 1 - via the serial (application-) interface: (applies to ALL UNIGATE SC, IC & CL) The script has to be compiled in the PROTOCOL DEVELOPER by "File → save compiled file" (the script receives the file extension *.dcs), so that the script gets into the device this way. The device has to be set into the configuration mode in order to load the script into the device. The script download can be started with the software WINGATE through "File → Write Script". With the software SPT (ScriptProgramTool) the downlaod is initiated through "File → Open file and program".

Possibility 2 - via the DEBUG-interface and the software PROTOCOL DEVELOPER: (applies to ALL UNIGATE IC & CL as well as UNIGATE SC with option "DB") In this case the device's DEBUG-interface has to be connected with a PC COM-Port. In the software PROTOCOL DEVELOPER and belated power up of the device (NOT in the configuration mode) the message "Device started in Debug mode" appears in the bottom left corner. Now the download can be started with "DEBUG".

How to set the UNIGATE into the configuration mode (Configmode)?

For all Deutschmann UNIGATE devices (except UNIGATE CL & UNIGATE IC) the interface switch has to be set to "RS232" and the two rotary switches S4+S5 must be set to "FF" on the serial side. For the UNIGATE CL the RS232 interface is automatically active throught the switch positions of S4+S5 with "FF". If you use the UNIGATE IC the basis board of the J17.

After a reboot of the device, the device sends the switch-on message in a terminal program (eg WINGATE) via the application interface (NOT DEBUG):

IC-PB-SC PV5.9B[30] (c)dA Script(2k)="Leer" Author="Deutschmann Automation GmbH" Version="1.0" Date=21.08.2001 SN=xxxxxxxx ID=1 Configmode...

Now you know that the unit is in configuration mode.

Practice Tip: With UNIGATE CL, RS and SC the configuration mode is visually indicated by the RS-"State" LED flashing red.

What is to consider when switching to UNIGATE CL from UNIGATE SC?

There is one significant difference between an UNIGATE SC and an UNIGATE CL: the UNIGATE SC devices have a hardware switch "232 ↔ 485", which does not exist on an UNIGATE CL. The UNIGATE CL on the other hand has all interfaces (232/485/422) on board. You still have to consider that if you don't run the RS, you have to run an extra

 Set(RS_Type,[?])

command. In the PROFIBUS version there is also the difference of the ID number. The UNIGATE CL-DP needs the GSD file UGIC3218.gsd.

Does the UNIGATE IC support SPI?

Yes, the UNIGATE IC supports SPI. (Up-to-date UNIGATE IC Pinout-List in XLS Format) Pin 3...7 are for the SPI Master (SPI slave on request only) We support 2 different SPI functions: SPI Slow and SPI normal. For SPI Slow you can use the example "example_SPI_slow.dss". For SPI normal, the example "example_SPI.dss" is available (not available for FIDO based Hardware: PROFINET, EtherNet/IP). For FIDO based hardware you can make use of the example "example_SPI_Pinout_Real.dss". I2C is currently not supported.

How to connect two networks (PROFIBUS / PROFINET)?

To establish a connection between two networks (PROFIBUS / PROFINET) you can use a UNIGATE CX. In the delivery state the default setting makes for a transparent data exchange between the two fieldbus systems. You have to keep in mind that the UNIGATE CX works as a slave, which means the Master must take over the communication in every network.