Description

The ProSoft MVI56-BAS is a highly specialized communication gateway module meticulously designed by ProSoft Technology to seamlessly integrate Building Automation Systems (BAS) with industrial control networks. It is engineered to operate within the renowned Rockwell Automation ControlLogix platform, serving as a critical protocol translator. The core function of the MVI56-BAS module is to empower a ControlLogix processor to natively communicate with devices using the BACnet protocol suite, including both the master/slave token passing (MS/TP) network and BACnet/IP over Ethernet. This eliminates the need for complex and often cumbersome external gateways, providing a unified, chassis-level solution for data exchange.

As a member of ProSoft’s extensive in-rack module family, the MVI56-BAS is positioned as a value-added communication interface. It offloads the protocol conversion workload from the main ControlLogix CPU, ensuring that real-time control tasks are not impacted by communication processing overhead. The module features a powerful independent processor and dual-port configuration, allowing it to handle communication tasks efficiently while presenting the data as simple tags within the ControlLogix program. This seamless integration provides immense value by bridging the gap between the operational technology (OT) environments of industrial facilities and the information technology (IT) domains of building management, enabling true enterprise-wide connectivity and data visibility.

ProSoft MVI56-BAS

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

The ProSoft MVI56-BAS module stands out for its deep integration and specialized functionality. Its most prominent feature is the native integration with the Rockwell ControlLogix backplane. Unlike external gateways that require separate programming and hardware, the MVI56-BAS is configured and programmed within the Rockwell Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000 environment using ProSoft’s Add-On Profile (AOP). This provides a familiar user experience, where all data points from BACnet devices are mapped directly into the controller’s tag database, making them accessible as if they were local I/O.

Robust protocol support: The module fully implements the BACnet protocol stack, allowing it to act as a BACnet Client (for MS/TP and IP) to read from and write to various BACnet servers and devices such as VAV controllers, thermostats, and chillers. It can also function as a BACnet Server (for IP), making its data available to other BACnet clients like centralized building management systems. This bidirectional data flow is crucial for comprehensive monitoring and control.

Performance and reliability: Equipped with its own processor, the MVI56-BAS handles all protocol processing independently, freeing up the ControlLogix CPU’s resources for deterministic control tasks. The optical isolation on its RS-485 port provides critical protection against ground loops and electrical noise commonly found in industrial and building environments, ensuring stable and reliable communication on the BACnet MS/TP network. This combination of power, isolation, and seamless integration makes the MVI56-BAS an indispensable tool for modern industrial and facility automation projects.

Application Field

The ProSoft MVI56-BAS module finds its primary application in scenarios where industrial process control must interact with facility and building management systems. A key application is in Industrial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) control. In large manufacturing plants or pharmaceutical facilities, precise environmental control is critical. The MVI56-BAS allows the main process ControlLogix system to directly monitor and command industrial-grade air handlers, chillers, and humidifiers that communicate via BACnet MS/TP, enabling tight integration of environmental conditions with the production process.

Another significant application is in energy management and utility monitoring within industrial complexes. The module can be used to connect to BACnet-based power meters, electrical submeters, and lighting control panels. This data can be fed directly into the ControlLogix system for real-time energy consumption analysis, demand response strategies, and overall operational efficiency reporting. Furthermore, the MVI56-BAS is instrumental in creating unified operational views. It enables the integration of facility systems such as fire alarms, access control, and water leak detection—often on BACnet networks—with the central plant control system, providing operators with a holistic view of the entire operation from a single interface and enhancing situational awareness and safety.

Related Products

MVI56E-BAS: An enhanced version of the MVI56-BAS with additional memory and processing power for larger, more complex networks.

MVI56E-MCM: A multi-protocol module that supports a wide range of industrial protocols like Modbus, DF1, and DNP3, ideal for general industrial integration beyond BAS.

MVI56E-MNET: A module dedicated to Modbus TCP and Modbus Serial communication, a common alternative for industrial device networking.

MVI69-BAS: A similar BACnet gateway module but designed for the CompactLogix platform, offering the same functionality in a more compact form factor.

MVI71-BAS: A BACnet gateway module for the Allen-Bradley SLC-500 platform, providing upgrade paths for legacy systems.

MVI56-GSC: A generic serial gateway for custom or proprietary serial protocols, offering maximum flexibility for unique communication needs.

1756-L7x ControlLogix Controllers: The main processors that the MVI56-BAS module partners with inside the chassis.