OMRON FINS
Industrial Communication: OMRON FINS Protocol
FINS (Factory Interface Network Service) is a proprietary network protocol developed by Omron. It serves as the backbone of the Omron automation ecosystem, enabling seamless data transfer across various network layers—including Ethernet, Controller Link, and RS-232C—without complex reconfiguration.
1. The Core Logic: Seamless Routing
The standout feature of FINS is its Routing capability. A FINS packet can originate on an Ethernet network and bridge into a Controller Link network to reach its final destination, masking hardware differences from the user.
- Network Address: Identifies the specific network segment (1 to 127).
- Node Address: The unique ID of the device within that network (1 to 255).
- Unit Address: Specifies the internal destination, such as the CPU or a specific communication module.
2. Addressing Structure and Data Areas
FINS provides direct, low-level access to the internal memory areas of Omron PLCs. Efficient data collection depends on understanding these specific regions:
| Memory Area | Description | Typical Usage |
|---|---|---|
| CIO (Core I/O) | Input/Output bits | Real-world I/O status |
| D (Data Memory) | Numerical storage | Counters, timers, and setpoints |
| H (Holding Relay) | Retentive bit area | Status bits that survive power loss |
| W (Work Relay) | Internal relay area | Intermediate logic bits |
3. FINS-UDP vs. FINS-TCP
When deploying over Ethernet, Omron provides two transport options:
- FINS-UDP: The industry standard. It is faster and lighter, making it ideal for high-frequency data polling in closed industrial networks.
- FINS-TCP: Used when data integrity is paramount or when communicating across unstable networks. It is connection-oriented, providing better delivery confirmation at the cost of slight overhead.
4. Hubbox: Bridging Omron to IIoT
Hubbox Connect X2 features native FINS drivers, allowing you to bypass complex driver installations and start reading Omron data in minutes.
D100. Hubbox reads this value via FINS-UDP, converts it to JSON using Node-RED, and publishes it to a cloud dashboard via MQTT.
Key Advantages
- Transparent Access: Access a PLC sitting behind three layers of different Omron networks as if it were directly connected to your PC.
- Legacy Support: Communicate with older serial PLCs and modern NX/NJ series using the same protocol logic.
- Remote Maintenance: While Hubbox polls data via FINS, you can simultaneously use the Secure VPN to upload or download ladder programs remotely.
For Omron FINS node configuration and Node-RED examples: www.hubbox.io
