In today's industrial automation landscape, communication openness, protocol compatibility, and 24/7 system stability are no longer optional—they are essential requirements. Whether you are integrating PLCs from multiple manufacturers, deploying SCADA software for real-time monitoring, or connecting field devices via serial networks, your industrial computer must serve as a truly open and reliable gateway.
At Guangzhou Chongchang Computer Technology Co., Ltd. , we designed our Zhichun Industrial Panel PCs with one clear principle: no proprietary lock-in, complete freedom for your applications. This article provides a comprehensive guide to how Zhichun Industrial PCs support Modbus communication, integrate with third-party devices, and deliver the stability required for long-term industrial deployment.
2. Ethernet Communication: Modbus TCP Client & Server
3. Serial Communication: Modbus RTU Master & Slave
4. Communication Openness: No Proprietary Restrictions
5. 24/7 Industrial Stability & Hardware Watchdog
6. Simultaneous Ethernet and RS485 Communication
9. Why Choose Zhichun for Your Industrial Platform
10. Conclusion & Next Steps
1.Does the IPC support Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP/IP?
✅ Yes, fully supported. Our industrial PCs come with multiple COM ports (RS232/RS485) and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports,
supporting both Modbus RTU (via serial) and Modbus TCP/IP (via Ethernet) protocols.
2.Can Modbus RTU and TCP/IP be used simultaneously?
✅ Yes. The IPC can handle both protocols concurrently.
You can communicate with Modbus RTU devices via the RS485 port while simultaneously exchanging data with Modbus TCP devices over Ethernet.
3.Can it communicate reliably with third-party PLCs/HMIs using standard Modbus?
✅ Yes. Modbus is an open, royalty-free protocol.
Our IPC uses standard Modbus implementations and has been tested to work with major PLC brands including Siemens,
Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron, Schneider, and others. No proprietary lock-in.
Modbus TCP Client (Master)
✅ Supported Your SCADA software or custom application can act as Master to poll data from multiple Modbus TCP Slave devices across the network.
Modbus TCP Server (Slave)
✅ Supported The IPC can act as a Slave, allowing external PLCs or SCADA systems to read/write data from/to it.
Implementation Note:
These are software-implemented functions. On a Windows 10/11 Pro or Linux operating system,
you can configure the IPC as either Client or Server depending on your application needs.
Both can run simultaneously.
Capability Support Status Technical Notes
Modbus RTU Master
✅ Supported The IPC can poll multiple Modbus RTU Slave devices (sensors, VFDs, meters) via RS232 or RS485 COM ports.
Modbus RTU Slave
✅ Supported The IPC can respond to Modbus RTU Master requests from external devices such as existing PLCs or HMIs.
Hardware Capability: Our industrial PCs can be configured with up to 4-6 COM ports (RS232/RS485 selectable).
The typical configuration includes 2x RS232 + 2x RS485. All ports are independent and can be addressed simultaneously.
Your Concern & Our Commitment
Proprietary restrictions or protocol lock-in?
❌ No restrictions. Our IPC is based on standard x86 architecture running Windows or Linux.
No proprietary hardware, no proprietary protocol, no lock-in. You have full control.
Can we install our own SCADA software and drivers?
✅ Absolutely. The IPC ships with a clean OS. You can install any third-party SCADA such as Ignition, WinCC, Intouch, Citect, iFix, communication drivers (OPC server, Kepware), or your own custom software without any restrictions.
> Why This Matters: Unlike some HMI or IPC brands that lock you into their ecosystem with proprietary protocols, mandatory licensing, or restricted software installation, Zhichun IPC gives you complete software freedom.
Stable 24/7 industrial operation ✅ Industrial-grade components. Fanless design, wide operating temperature (-20°C to 60°C), industrial SSD (no moving parts), and high MTBF.
Watchdog support ✅ Hardware watchdog timer supported.
Watchdog Function Details
Our IPC includes a hardware watchdog timer that can automatically reset the system if a software freeze or unexpected halt occurs. The watchdog works as follows:
Component Description
Timer Counts down continuously during system operation
Heartbeat signal Your application must periodically trigger the watchdog (send a "heartbeat")
Timeout action If the heartbeat stops (due to freeze/crash), the watchdog automatically resets the system
Implementation: The watchdog can be controlled via your application code (C++, C, Python, etc. ) using standard I/O or driver APIs.
We provide programming examples upon request.
Question & Answer
Can the IPC communicate via Ethernet and RS485 at the same time?
✅ Yes, fully supported. The IPC can handle both communication channels simultaneously and independently.
Example Multi-Channel Architecture
Port Connection Protocol Role
Ethernet Port 1 Connect to SCADA server Modbus TCP Data aggregation
Ethernet Port 2 Connect to plant network Modbus TCP Remote monitoring
RS485 Port 1 Poll field devices (sensors, meters, VFDs) Modbus RTU Master polling
RS485 Port 2 Connect to existing PLC Modbus RTU Slave response
All channels operate concurrently with proper software implementation.
Recommended Architecture: SCADA + PLC Communication
Here is a proven industrial architecture using our Zhichun IPC as the central control and HMI platform:
```
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Zhichun Industrial PC │
│ (Windows 10/11 Pro + SCADA) │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Your SCADA Software │ │
│ │ (Ignition/WinCC/Custom) │ │
│ └─────────────┬───────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ Modbus TCP Client │
└────────────────┼───────────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┐
│ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
│ PLC 1 │ │ PLC 2 │ │ Modbus TCP │
│ (Siemens S7) │ │ (Allen Bradley)│ │ Devices │
│ Modbus TCP │ │ Modbus TCP │ │ │
└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
│ │
└──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┘
│
┌────────┴────────┐
│ RS485 Bus │
│ Modbus RTU │
└────────┬────────┘
│
┌──────────┬───────────┼───────────┬──────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│ VFD 1 │ │ VFD 2 │ │ Temp │ │ Pressure│ │ Flow │
│ (Drive) │ │ (Drive) │ │Sensor 1│ │Sensor 1│ │Meter 1 │
└─────────┘ └─────────┘ └─────────┘ └─────────┘ └─────────┘
```
Zhichun IPC Central control + HMI + SCADA server Runs your SCADA software
PLC 1, 2 Machine/process control Modbus TCP via Ethernet (IPC as Client)
Modbus TCP Devices Remote I/O, smart instruments Modbus TCP via Ethernet
VFDs (Drives) Motor speed control Modbus RTU via RS485 (IPC as Master polling)
Field Sensors Temperature, pressure, flow measurement Modbus RTU via RS485
Network Separation High-speed control via Ethernet, simple sensor polling via RS485
Redundancy If one communication path fails, others continue working
Scalability Easily add more devices to either network without re-engineering
Cost Optimization Use low-cost RS485 for simple devices, high-speed Ethernet for critical controls
Technical Requirement Zhichun IPC Support
Modbus RTU ✅ Full support (Master & Slave)
Modbus TCP/IP ✅ Full support (Client & Server)
Simultaneous RTU + TCP ✅ Yes
Third-party PLC compatibility ✅ Yes (open standard protocol)
No proprietary lock-in ✅ Yes (standard x86 + Windows/Linux)
Install own SCADA/drivers ✅ Yes (full admin access)
24/7 stable operation ✅ Industrial components + fanless design
Watchdog auto-recovery ✅ Hardware watchdog supported
Simultaneous Eth + RS485 ✅ Yes
Operating Temperature -20°C to 60°C
Protection Rating IP65 front panel (dustproof & waterproof)
Cooling Fanless (no moving parts)
Unlike some HMI or IPC brands that lock you into their ecosystem, our Zhichun Industrial PC provides complete freedom:
No proprietary protocols required Use standard Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT, or any open protocol
No restrictions on software installation Install any SCADA, any driver, any custom application
No hidden licenses or fees The hardware is yours to use as you need
Full technical documentation Register maps, API references, sample code provided
Long-term availability Stable supply for 5+ years, no sudden EOL
- Factory Automation – MES terminals, production line HMI
- Machine Building – CNC controllers, packaging machinery
- Energy Management – Power monitoring, solar/wind control
- Building Automation – HVAC control, access systems
- Environmental Monitoring – Water treatment, air quality stations
- Food & Beverage – Processing line control, batch management
The Zhichun Industrial PC is designed as a truly open, reliable, and scalable platform for your industrial automation needs. With full Modbus support (both RTU and TCP/IP), hardware watchdog for 24/7 stability, and zero proprietary restrictions, it is the ideal choice for system integrators, machine builders, and industrial end users.
Ready to Evaluate?
We offer the following to support your evaluation:
Support Item Availability
Sample units for testing ✅ Available
Technical documentation package ✅ Modbus register maps, API docs
Watchdog programming examples ✅ C++, C, Python samples
Custom configuration ✅ COM port quantity, storage, memory
OEM/ODM services ✅ Custom logo, BIOS, hardware modifications
