The DS1012GC has all the features of the DS1002 with the addition of WiFi and GPRS capability. The wireless connectivity means that you can build fail-safe control systems that switch communication types automatically. For example, if Ethernet goes out, it can switch to WiFi; if Ethernet and WiFi are out, it can switch to GPRS.

The DS1012GC is a 4-port programmable industrial controller designed primarily for serial-over-IP and serial control projects. It comes pre-loaded with a fully functional open-source serial-over-IP application.

The four ports of the DS1012GC can be programmed for RS232, RS422 or RS485. Four terminal block adapters are included for you to use instead of the DB9 connectors built in.

A version of this controller with isolated ports is available — the DS1013GC.

The DS1012GC is programmable in Tibbo BASIC and/or Tibbo C which also provides a complete IDE for debugging. The functionality of the DS1012GC is determined by whatever Tibbo BASIC/C application it is running. It is perfectly suited for work as an intelligent serial controller, a serial device server, or a serial communications gateway.

It requires 10-18V DC power, which can be provided through a 3.5mm coaxial jack (center positive) or a two-pole screw terminal.

Programmable 4-port Serial Controller Features

• Dimensions: 91 × 104 × 99 mm (excluding secondary cover)
• Extruded-profile aluminum body
• IP68 compliant (when used with secondary cover)
• Operating temperature -30 to +80 °C
• CE and FCC certified

Interface side

• Four RS232/422/485 ports
• 8 status LEDs

Network side

• Based on the EM1000 module with GA1000 802.11b/g WiFi add-on
• 10/100BaseT, auto-MDIX Ethernet port
• Contains Telit GC864 GPRS module
• 1024KB Flash for firmware, application, and data storage
• 2KB EEPROM for data storage
• RTC with back-up supercapacitor (approx. 6 days); 40-bit with 128Hz increments
• Clock frequency: 88.4736 MHz with PLL on; 11.0592 MHz with PLL off
• Built-in buzzer (6 Hz to 221184 MHz)
• 11 status LEDs
• Power: 10-18V
• Firmware is upgradeable through the serial port or network

4-port Serial Controller Programming

Platform Objects

• sock — socket comms (up to 16 UDP, TCP, and HTTP sessions)
• net — controls Ethernet port
• ser — in charge of serial channels
• ssi — up to 4 serial synchronous interface channels (for SPI, I2C, etc.)
• io — handles I/O lines, ports, and interrupts
• rtc — keeps track of date and time
• fd — manages Flash memory file system and direct sector access
• stor — provides access to the EEPROM
• romfile — facilitates access to resource files (fixed data)
• pppoe — accesses the internet over an ADSL modem
• ppp — accesses the internet over a serial modem (e.g. GPRS)
• pat — "plays" patterns on five status LED pairs
• beep — generates buzzer patterns
• button — monitors the setup button
• sys — in charge of general device functionality

Function Groups

• Strings functions (21 in total)
• Date/time conversion functions (8)
• Encryption/hash calculation functions (AES128, RC4, MD5, SHA-1)

Variable Types

• Byte, char, integer (word), short, dword, long, real, string, plus user-defined arrays and structures.

View the TIDE, TiOS, Tibbo BASIC and Tibbo C Online Manual.

View Tibbo BASIC Introduction Videos.

View a video of the Serial-over-IP application showing WiFi support.

View a video of the Tibbo Connection Wizard showing how to create a Virtual Serial Port and link it with the Device Server.

4-port Serial Controller Package Contents

• DS1012GC unit
• Four TB1100A terminal block adapters
• Waterproof kit with secondary cover, cable glands, screws
• DMK1000 DIN rail mounting kit
• GPRS antenna (WiFi function is achieved with an on-chip WiFi antenna; GPRS function requires the GPRS antenna to be attached)