Zephyr Industrial Protocols

Build robust, industry-standard communication systems using Zephyr's modular industrial protocol stacks.

Core Workflows

1. Modbus RTU (Serial)

Implement serial-based industrial communication for meters, PLCs, and sensors.

• •Reference: modbus_rtu.md
• •Key Tools: CONFIG_MODBUS, RS-485 DE/RE handling, Register Mapping.

2. Modbus TCP

Bridge industrial data over standard Ethernet or Wi-Fi networks.

• •Reference: modbus_tcp.md
• •Key Tools: Port 502, TCP/IP networking, Client/Server patterns.

3. CANopen Basics

Integrate with complex automation networks using the CANopenNode stack.

• •Reference: canopen_basics.md
• •Key Tools: Object Dictionary (OD), PDO/SDO, Network Management (NMT).

Quick Start (Modbus RTU Server)

# prj.conf
CONFIG_MODBUS=y
CONFIG_MODBUS_SERIAL=y

// Initialize a server on a serial device
const struct device *dev = DEVICE_DT_GET(DT_CHOSEN(zephyr_modbus_serial));
struct modbus_iface_param param = {
    .mode = MODBUS_MODE_RTU,
    .server = { .node_addr = 1, .cb = &my_callbacks },
    .serial = { .baud = 115200, .parity = UART_CFG_PARITY_NONE },
};
modbus_init_server(dev, param);

Professional Patterns (Reliability & Safety)

• •RS-485 Hardware Handling: Always use the devicetree uart-rs485 property to handle transceiver direction signals automatically at the driver level.
• •Isolated Communication: Use galvanically isolated transceivers for both serial and CAN lines in factory environments to prevent damage from ground loops.
• •Watchdog Integration: In industrial control, always pair your communication loops with the watchdog_reliability pattern (see specialized skill) to ensure the system enters a fail-safe state on protocol lockup.

Resources

• •References:
  • •modbus_rtu.md: Serial Modbus master/slave setup.
  • •modbus_tcp.md: Ethernet Modbus client/server patterns.
  • •canopen_basics.md: Object Dictionary and PDO mapping.