6-0013

2017-06 Rev. 0
M-System’s EC-Z665 500509 01

Remote I/O Series

17 years of successful sales, 480,000 total units sold!

Network redundancy Compliant with major open networks

Freely communicates regularly used around the world.
with host devices selectable.
without needing extra See list on pages 6 and 7.
programming.
Line up of 8 series available.
Choose based on installation
Feel free to contact us
location and specific
about customized
network needs.
customer specifications.

Great variety in supported input

Isolation applied to and output signals.
all input signals. (Choose from 172 types and 504 devices).
See page 8.

Multi-channel,
Mixed Signal Compact,
Remote I/O Mixed Signal Remote I/O
Multi-point
Remote I/O
R3 Series R30 Series
R9 Series Slice Type, Expandable,
Mixed Signal Compact Remote I/O
Remote I/O
Compact,
R8 Series R7 Series
Multi-point
Remote I/O Ultra-Slim,
R1 Series
Compact,
Mixed Signal
Mixed Signal Remote I/O

Remote I/O R6 Series

R5 Series
CE/UL for selected models. Please refer to the data sheets for Standards & Approvals.

What is Remote I/O?

Remote I/O, otherwise called distributed I/O, refers to electronic devices that use transmission technology to
send and receive input and output signals to/from master electronics like DCS, PLC and PCs often in the
fields of process or factory automation. Remote I/O communication uses open networks with open
communication protocols. M-System supports our customers with a line up of Remote I/O solutions that use
globally accepted major open networks like Modbus, CC-Link, MECHATROLINK, PROFIBUS, etc.
Applications of Remote I/O
1. Replacing I/O modules of PLC and DCS Reduce system wiring

Before After
Wiring each and every sensor and Linking up the communication
Remote I/O Remote I/O
actuator from the onsite panel to a network in daisy chain only takes one
control panel requires an enormous cable and greatly reduces wiring.
amount of cables!

PC/SCADA software, etc. PC/SCADA software, etc.

Network module

With Remote I/O…

Control Control Only one cable
panel PLC panel PLC
/DCS /DCS required! Or just two cables
Cable after cable! even with redundancy!

Network redundancy

Wires

Signal
I/O I/O I/O I/O I/O I/O I/O I/O I/O
conditioner R3 Series

Sensor
Onsite panel A Onsite panel B Onsite panel n Onsite panel A Onsite panel B Onsite panel n

2. I/O for PC based SCADA systems No programming required. Reduced costs.

Before After
Using Remote I/O doesn’t require
Remote I/O PLCs won’t operate without Remote I/O a program. The technology has a
programming. Signal conditioners are
built-in signal conditioning circuit that
needed at the input.
allows the user to plug and play,
reducing cost and work load.
PC/SCADA software, etc.

PC/SCADA software, etc.

With Remote I/O…
PLC network
Open network (Modbus, etc)
Network module R3 Series
PLC PLC PLC R7 Series R1 Series
Power
supply
module
Signal conditioner Sensor
CPU
Sensor

Some program Signal input and output is configured

must be built even for inputting with just an address designated
one signal point! by the host system. It’s simple!

3. As I/O solution for IoT terminals

PC/SCADA
Using Remote I/O as an I/O interface for IoT software, etc. Smartphone Tablet

terminal devices like Web Logger and Tablet Router

Recorder has the advantages listed in A thru C. Internet Cloud
Router Ethernet(Modbus/TCP)

A. Compatible with many types of input/output

B. Reduces system wiring needs
C. Reduces internet connectivity costs by collecting R3
all the signals from various I/O devices throughout Web Logger Series
a site into a single network connection point. It’s the IoT! I/O signal I/O signal

2
Remote I/O Features Explained Using R3 Series
Structure of Remote I/O R3 Series Dual redundant or two independent communication and power supply systems

As shown in the following image, the R3 Series is made from the combination of a
power supply module, network module and input/output modules. The modules are
inserted onto the base in basically any combination, with dual redundant or two
independent power/network system a standard feature of the series.
The input/output modules and network module can be replaced with the power
turned ON. This replacement method is called “hot swap.”
Network A Network A

Network B Network B

Structure Base
diagram
Network Network Power Power
I/O I/O I/O module module supply supply
module module 2 module 1 B A module 2 module 1
Internal bus A
Internal bus B

Power Power
Conversion Conversion Conversion Network Network supply supply
Power supply 1 circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit
I/O signal circuit circuit
Power supply 2
Power line bus
Dotted line shows configuration
for dual redundancy.

Power Power
supply 2 supply 1
I/O signal

Dual redundant network or two independent network protocols Dual redundant supply or two independent power sources

Dual redundant network Two network protocols Dual redundant network Two power sources
(example) (example) (example) (example)

AC Power supply DC Power supply 2 AC Power supply 1

Dual redundancy with two Two independent network modules
same network modules communicating with each Dual redundancy with Two independent
master at once two power supply modules power sources

Many types of input/output modules are available

Analog input (52 modules) AC power input (17 modules) Pulse output (5 modules)
· Universal · CT · Pulse output module
· DC voltage · AC voltage · One-shot pulse
· DC current · AC current output module
· Thermocouple · Zero-phase current
· RTD transformer Discrete input (10 modules)
· Potentiometer · Multi-power monitoring · Discrete input
Analog 64ch discrete 32ch discrete CT input Multi-power · 4-20 mA input with 2-wire · AC power · AC contact input
I/O module I/O module I/O module module monitoring module transmitter excitation
supply Discrete output (14 modules)
· Strain gauge Pulse input (8 modules) · Discrete output
Hot-swappable I/O modules · Speed/position · Remote control relay
A line up of over 48 types and 115 modules is · High speed pulse
Analog output (7 modules) · High speed totalized pulse BCD input/output (2 modules)
available, which can be switched out even · DC voltage · Low speed totalized pulse · BCD input
while the power is still on (hot swap). · DC current · Totalized pulse · BCD output

3
 Examples of Remo
In-plant LAN (PC SCADA) I/O for DCS (dual redundant communication network)

Remote I/O system is used for SCADA The made-in-Japan products comply
to monitor signals from a manufacturing with the international PROFIBUS-DP
process. Cost per data input is still low standard and can be used in dual
even with hundreds of data inputs using redundant network configurations.
R3 Series, and reductions in wiring
needs also helps push down costs.
SCADA for DCS

Ethernet
SCADA
DCS
(redundant system)

In-plant LAN (Ethernet) PROFIBUS

(redundant system)

R5
Series

R3
Series Onsite panel

I/O signal I/O signal I/O signal I/O signal I/O signal

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Plant

process 1 process 2 process 3

I/O for DCS/PLC Wireless remote I/O

Here’s an example of using our R3

Device sensor signals are collected
Series for providing PLC I/O for a motor
using a multi-hop wireless system using
control application. The R3 Series
920 MHz band and the data then sent
allows direct CT input which eliminates
to a PLC.
the need for a converter. In addition,
using CC-Link reduces the costs
PLC
associated wiring needs. Machine numbers control command
Ethernet
SCADA for DCS
Master unit
Ethernet Wireless gateway
PLC
DCS Slave unit
Plug-in type
CPU CPU wireless I/O
R3
Slave unit
I/O signal Series
Wireless I/O Modbus-RTU
I/O
modules
Ethernet
Slave unit
I/O signal
Onsite panel R3
I/O Device 1 Series I/O I/O
signal CT Input signal signal

I/O signal Device 3

MCC
Process input/output (Motor Control Center) Device 2

· Above application is only available in Japanese market.

4
ote I/O Applications
I/O for Tablet Recorder Super high speed I/O for motion control

Here’s an example of using a remote

I/O for several testing devices Here’s an example of using remote I/O
distributed in different locations to for MECHATROLINK-III, network for
collect measurement data by Tablet motion control.
Recorder over a LAN line.

Controller

Tablet
Tablet Recorder
TR30
R7
Series
Wi-Fi Router

Temperature Rotary Contact input Contact output

(thermocouple) encoder for control for control
Ethernet

R3
Series
R7
Series

I/O signal I/O signal I/O signal

Device 1 Device 2 Device 3

I/O for high speed data logger

Internet connection (two independent communication networks)

R3 Series or R7 Series Remote I/O data

can be used as a remote I/O device for can be interfaced with two network
Web Logger. Data saved on Web systems, CC-Link and Modbus/TCP.
Logger can be viewed remotely from a
PC or mobile device over the internet.

Smartphone High speed data logger SCADA

PC

Router High speed scan PLC

Ethernet
ISP

Internet
ISP

Router
Plant A Plant B R3
Ethernet Series

R7
Series I/O I/O I/O
signal signal signal
R3
Web Logger
Series
Testing equipment
I/O I/O
I/O signal signal signal

5
 Open networks in terms of communic
Origins Bechoff Automation GmbH Remote I/O Origins
Main sponsor EtherCAT® Technology Group Main spo
R8 Series
Number of participants 4,000 R30 Series
Number o
Transmission speed Full duplex, 100 Mbps Number of nodes 65535
Transmission
Network configuration and total length Up to 100 m STP cables category 5/5e, Star / line / tree 1 Gbps Number of node
speed
Open network that leverages the super high speed of Ethernet and has functionality for high-precision synchronization
between nodes, as well as simple wiring configurations. Network configuration Maximum distance be
and total length STP cable (category 5

Origins Control equipment manufacturers Remote I/O A comprehensive Ethernet based network that se
Main sponsor ODVA Inc. network to production sites.
R3 Series
Number of participants 871 Remote I/O Please contact us for further det
Transmission speed 10 / 100 Mbps Number of nodes No limitations

Network configuration and total length

Distance between nodes: up to 100 m Transmission speed (bps)
STP cables category 5/5e, Star / line / tree

Network for industrial applications that has a control protocol on top of an Ethernet TCP/IP. Other commonly
available Ethernet devices can be mixed on the Ethernet network.
1G
Origins Yaskawa Electric Corporation Remote I/O
Main sponsor MECHATROLINK Members Association
MECHATROLINK - III R3 Series
Number of participants 2,148 R7 Series
Transmission speed 100 Mbps Number of nodes Maximum 62 stations 100 M *Note
Cascade / star configurations
Network configuration and total length Maximum transmission distance: 100 m between stations
Minimum distance between stations: 20 cm

Motion network that maintains synchronization between all slaves in a system. In addition to offering complete
10 M
synchronization with the servo drives, can also be used for connecting actuators for inverters, stepping motors and
sliders, and peripheral devices for motion control applications such as other I/O, temperature controllers and image
processing devices.

Origins Control equipment manufacturers Remote I/O 1M

Main sponsor PROFIBUS & PROFINET International
Please
Number of participants 1,400 contact us
for further
Transmission speed 100 Mbits/s with copper wires. 1 Gbits/s (Option) Number of nodes No limitations details
With copper wires: 100 m. 100 k
Network configuration and total length
Communication cables: copper wires, fiber optic cables, wireless
PROFINET is an Ethernet based network developed by PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) for industrial
automation that is 100 % compatible with IEEE standard IEEE802.3 defining Ethernet.

10 k
Origins Modicon Inc. Remote I/O 9 k 10 100
Main sponsor Modbus-IDA
R3 Series
Number of participants 332 R5 Series
10 Mbps / 100 Mbps Maximum 1024 R6 Series
Transmission speed Number of nodes
/ 1000 Mbps (Maximum number of numbered nodes supported: 248) R7 Series
R9 Series
Network configuration and total length Line / star configurations Maximum 500 m (depends on cable type)
Modbus protocol that operates with Ethernet TCP/IP
Origins
Origins Remote I/O Main spo
Requested user specifications from Japan Automobile Manufacturing Association MECHATROLINK - II
R3 Series Number o
Main sponsor
JEMA (The Japan Electrical Manufacturers’ Association) Transmission M
Number of participants 20 10 Mbps Number of nodes
speed (1
Transmission speed 10 Mbps / 100Mbps Number of nodes 254 nodes
Network configuration 2-core STP (dedicated
10BASE-T: 100 m when using twisted-pair cable and total length Maximum 50 m (100 m
Network configuration and total length 10BASE5: 500 m when using thick type coaxial cable
10 BASE-FL: 2000 m when using fiber optic cable Positioned as a motion field network among ope
control elements like I/O and actuators in a contr
Open network originating from Japan’s industry for factory automation. inputting control data.
Operates with Ethernet UDP/IP using a communications protocol with token passing methodology so no master
node is required. Remote I/O R7 Series

*Note: Communication speeds and distances are with STP cables

6
cation speeds and transmission distance
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Origins Step Technica Co., Ltd. Remote I/O

onsor CC-Link Partner Association Main sponsor -

R7 Series
Number of participants -
of participants 1,350
Transmission speed 3 Mbps / 6 Mbps / 12 Mbps Number of nodes Maximum 63 stations
254 nodes
es Multidrop connection, Shielded twisted-pair cable (half duplex) or
(total number of master and slave nodes)
Network configuration and total length shielded 4-core twisted-pair cable (full duplex)
etween nodes: 100 m Maximum 300 m (@ 3 Mbps)
5e) Line / star / ring configurations Super high-speed, highly reliable open field network offered by Step Technica. Used in various control device
eamlessly connects an information networks in factory automation for applications like with semiconductor manufacturing or high precision machining.

tails Origins Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Remote I/O

Main sponsor CC-Link Partner Association
R1 Series
Number of participants 2,097 R3 Series
Transmission speed 156 kbps / 625 kbps / 2.5 Mbps / 5 Mbps / 10 Mbps Number of nodes Maximum 64 nodes R5 Series
R6 Series
Bus type network using shielded 3-core twisted-pair cable.
Network configuration and total length R7 Series
Maximum 1200 m (@ 156 kbps). Also has fiber optic repeater.
R8 Series
High speed network for device level and sensor level PLCs (by Mitsubishi Electric) widely used primarily for factory R9 Series
automation.

Origins Control device manufacturers Remote I/O

Main sponsor Modbus Organization
R1 Series
Number of participants 332 R3 Series
300 - 115.2 kbps (RS-232-C) R5 Series
Transmission speed Number of nodes Maximum 247 nodes R6 Series
Maximum 10 Mbps (RS-485)
R7 Series
Has no physical layer standards and typically uses serial connections like R8 Series
Network configuration and total length RS-232C or RS-485. Maximum length of 1200 m when using RS-485 R9 Series
(depends on communication speed)

A versatile open field network that uses a simple protocol and can be used on multiple levels. Used extensively
around the world.

Origins Control device manufacturers Remote I/O

Main sponsor PROFIBUS & PROFINET International
R3 Series
Number of participants 1,400 R5 Series
Transmission speed 9.6 k - 12 Mbps Number of nodes Maximum 126 nodes R6 Series

Special copper wire (STP cable) or fiber optic cable with bus / ring /
Network configuration and total length
tree configurations. Maximum 1200 m (@ 9.6 kbps)
A device level and sensor level network for PLC and DCS used around the world but heavily in Europe. Comes in
three types: DP, PA, FMS
1k 10 k
Transmission distance (m) Origins Echelon Corporation Remote I/O
Main sponsor LonMark International
R3 Series
Number of participants Over 600 R7 Series
Transmission speed 610 - 2.5 Mbps Number of nodes 64 nodes/subsystem (FTT-10) R9 Series

For the network, uses media like twisted-pair cables, power line cables,
Yaskawa Electric Corporation Network configuration and total length coaxial cables and fiber optic cables. Free topology, bus configurations.
Maximum 2700 m (twisted-pair cables)
onsor MECHATROLINK Members Association
An autonomous distributed network used for the controller, device and sensor levels. Comes in a wide variety of
of participants 2,148
applications for building controls, factory automation and home automation.
Maximum 30 nodes
1-30 nodes depending on transmission cycles)
Origins Control device manufacturers Remote I/O
d cable). Bus connection. Main sponsor [Link]
R1 Series
m if repeater is used) Number of participants 871 R3 Series
en field networks, this network drives final Transmission speed 125 kbp / 250 kbps / 500 kbps Number of nodes Maximum 64 nodes R5 Series
rol system and connects various devices for R6 Series
Bus and tree configurations made with shielded 4-core twisted-pair cables.
Network configuration and total length R7 Series
Maximum 500 m (@ 100 kbps)
R8 Series
Widely used around the world primarily for factory automation applications as a device level network for PLC and DCS.

7
Remote I/O Series Lineup
Multi-channel, Compact, Mixed Expandable,
Mixed Signal Remote I/O Signal Remote I/O Compact Remote I/O

Remote I/O Series

R3 Series R5 Series R7 Series
Types and models of input/output available: Types and models of input/output available: Types and models of input/output available:
48 types / 115 device models 22 types / 56 device models 55 types / 248 device models
mm (inch) mm (inch) mm (inch)
224 (8.82) 120 (4.72) 231 (9.09) 106.5 (4.19)

1 15
1
115 (4.53) 54 (2.13)

50 (1.97)
130 (5.12)

2
16
2

90 (3.54)
3
17
3 4
18
5 1 1
4 19 11 11
6 2 2
20 12 12
5 7 3 3
21 13 13
8 4 4 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10
6 22 14 14 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5
9 5 5
23 15 15
7 10 6 6
24 16 16
11 7 7
8 25 17 17 1 1 1
12 8 8 4 4 4
9 26 18 18 2 2 2
13 9 9
5 5 5

30 (1.18)
27 19 19 3 3 3
10 14 10 10
28 20 20 6 6 6

HLS is the abbreviation for

“Hi-speed Link System” of Step Technica Co., Ltd.

Compact, Ultra-Slim, Slice Type,

Multi-point Remote I/O Mixed Signal Remote I/O Mixed Signal Remote I/O

R1 Series R6 Series R8 Series

Types and models of input/output available: Types and models of input/output available: Types and models of input/output available:
7 types / 9 device models 10 types / 33 device models 16 types / 24 device models
mm (inch) mm (inch) mm (inch)
175 (6.89)
72 (2.83) 116 (4.57) 152.5 (6) 55 (2.17)
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7

5 6 7 8
105 (4.13)

99 (3.90)

115 (4.53)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
1 2 3 4

40 (1.57)

Compact,
Multi-point Remote I/O Mixed Signal Remote I/O

R9 Series R30 Series

Types and models of input/output available: Types and models of input/output available:
3 types / 6 device models 11 types / 13 device models
mm (inch) mm (inch)

100 (3.94) 110 (4.33)

140 (5.51)
115 (4.53)

110 (4.33)

125 (4.92) 80 (3.15)