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The M340 wireless companion is a single slot backplane compatible module that allows the M340 processors to interface easily with the WiFi wireless network in order to communicate with devices located remotely.
It integrates a WiFi interface and a 3-port 10/100 Ethernet switch.
The M340-WC used in the ACCESS POINT mode makes it possible to create an industrial WiFi wireless network from any industrial equipment featuring an 10/100 Ethernet interface.
Used in the BRIDGE mode, the M340-WC enables to connect any industrial equipment featuring a 10/100 Ethernet interface to the WiFi wireless network.
M340-WC module can also be used as a WiFi network repeater (WDS) in order to extend radio coverage, device supports both INFRASTRUCTURE and AD-HOC modes.
The M340-WC device is also designed to work as a wireless bridge between the wired MODBUS/TCP or PROFINET protocols and the radio network, this feature allows to connect any MODBUS/TCP or PROFINET equipments to this network.
Thanks to its built-in WEB interface, the setup of the device is achieved using the web browser installed on your computer (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla ...).
M340-WC doesn't require any additional software to be installed on your computer (no peripheral driver needed).
Product can also be administrated by ACKSYS NDM (ACKSYS Networking Devices Manager), the software for centralized management of the ACKSYS networking devices.
The radio link is made safe by using most modern methods of protection: WEP 64/128 bits, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK and authentification IEEE 802.1x (RADIUS server).
The nominal range (open space) of the module is 300 m for a transmit power of +20 dBm and -92 dBm in reception (a/g modes) and -95 dBm (IEEE 802.11b mode).
M340-WC is a hot swap module power from the +24VDC of the M340 backplane, typical power consumption is 3.5W.
Characteristics summary
 Features Access Point, Ethernet Bridge, bridge router, WDS repeater functions
and both AD-HOC and INFRASTRUCTURE modes
3-port Ethernet 10/100 auto-sensing, plug & play mode & auto MDI/MDIX cross-over
One port is reserved for the M340 CPU or M340 NOE connection.
When connected to the M340 Ethernet port, M340-WC ports are considered as “Slave”.
If connected to the M340 NOE Ethernet port instead, M340-WC ports are considered
as “Master”, distributed I/O operation is then fully supported (I/O Scanner)
54/108 Mbps wireless Ethernet link compliant to the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/h &
SUPER AG standards, OFDM, DSSS, 2.4 / 5 GHz
One 2 dBi omnidirectional 2.4 / 5 GHz antenna, RP-SMA connector
Rapid roaming (less than 50 mS in single channel mode)
300 m nominal range (line of sight), 60 m in other cases
(with built-in antenna), up to 5 Km with a 20 dBi antenna
+20 dBm transmit power, -92 dBm receive level (a/g modes) and
-95 dBm receive level (b mode) with transmitter power output control (TPC),
400 mW high power radio option also available
64/128 bits WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, IEEE 802.1x (RADIUS supplicant
& authenticator), MAC addresses filtering, SSID broadcast control
No peripheral driver required, configuration from standard internet web browser
(built-in web server), SNMP agent, NDM administration software
LEDs signalling for LAN, WLAN network activity, 10/100 mode and power supply
Single slot module (L:97 x W:32 x H:104 mm), weight: 200g
Powered from the M340 backplane (24VDC), 3.5W typical consumption
Module is hot swappable during operation for simplified maintenance
Operating temperature: -20°C to +70°C (HR 5-95%) without condensing,
storage: -40°C to +80°C
Application examples
Wireless access to the M340 from VijeoCitect or UnityPro
The M340 acts as a modbus-tcp server. VijeoCitect and UnityPro software are modbus-tcp clients. In that case the Ethernet port of the M340 cpu is connected to the Acksys M340 wireless module and there is no need for an extra BMX NOE in-chassis module.
Wireless access and embedded Ethernet switch capabilities
In this network architecture, we take the benefit of the embedded Ethernet switch capabilities of the M340 wireless companion to connect up to 3 M340 PLCs together. There will be no need for an external Ethernet switch.
Exchange process data between PLCs
In the use case pictured above we want to read and/or write some of the process data values both ways. We can use the READ_VAR / WRITE_VAR function blocks just like if both PLCs were connected on an Ethernet cable. We do not need any extra BMX NOE in chassis module.
Exchange process data between PLCs through global data
Global Data requires a BMX NOE to be connected to the M340 wireless companion. There are also considerations to be carefully evaluated regarding a potential wireless traffic congestion related to the number of stations that need to be exchanging data values.
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