Product Description:

The R-IB IL RS232-PRO-PAC is a communication interface module manufactured by Bosch Rexroth Indramat for the R-IB Interface Modules series. It serves as a bridge between a single serial device and the inline local bus used in distributed I/O stations, allowing legacy equipment to be incorporated into modern industrial automation networks without rewriting the higher-level control program. This arrangement lets a controller exchange data with standalone serial equipment through the same station architecture used for other inline I/O points.

The module presents an RS-232 port that follows the DTR/CTS hardware handshake, giving deterministic flow control for full-duplex data exchange. On the backplane, it transfers I/O data to the controller at 500 kbps, while the front-end serial link can be set up to 38400 baud for printers, scanners, or setup tools. One serial I/O channel is available, and the process image reserves 12 bytes in each PLC scan, which keeps data mapping fixed regardless of program size. Incoming characters are buffered in a 4 KB receive FIFO so bursts from the field device do not overrun the bus cycle. Spring-cage terminals provide the connection method, giving vibration-resistant wiring in compact control cabinets.

For outgoing traffic, the transmit queue is 1 KB, allowing long command strings to be staged before transmission begins. The electronics draw a maximum of 225 mA from the UL field bus supply, which is nominally 7.5 V; this equals 1.688 W of total power and helps limit heat buildup in dense cabinets. An enclosure rated IP20 limits installation to enclosed panels, while the narrow 24.4 mm housing width conserves rail space and the 120 mm height with 71.5 mm depth matches other inline slices for uniform stacking. Mechanical coding on the bus connector ensures that only one RS-232 module can occupy a given slot, which helps prevent address conflicts in mixed-module assemblies.