The FX2N-32DP-IF is Mitsubishi Electric’s PROFIBUS-DP intelligent slave interface special function module for the MELSEC FX2N compact PLC series, enabling FX2N base units to participate in PROFIBUS-DP networks as a DP slave device — allowing any PROFIBUS-DP master (Siemens SIMATIC S7, ABB AC500, Schneider Modicon, or other brands) to read and write FX2N data via the PROFIBUS-DP standard protocol, integrating FX2N machine controllers into existing PROFIBUS field network infrastructures. As the FX2N platform’s gateway to PROFIBUS-DP networks, the FX2N-32DP-IF is the critical interoperability module for FX2N systems installed in European and Asian facilities where PROFIBUS-DP is the established field communication standard alongside CC-Link. The FX2N-32DP-IF is available through Atlantech Drives — quote within 24-48 hours, worldwide express shipping, 12-month warranty.
What Is the FX2N-32DP-IF?
The FX2N-32DP-IF is a MELSEC FX2N series special function module implementing the PROFIBUS-DP protocol at the DP slave level, compliant with IEC 61158 and EN 50170 PROFIBUS-DP V0 standard. The module installs in the FX2N extension bus and presents the FX2N controller as a PROFIBUS-DP slave on any PROFIBUS network managed by a Class 1 DP master. The PROFIBUS master communicates with the FX2N-32DP-IF using standard DP cyclic data exchange, reading input data (FX2N data made available to the master as PROFIBUS input bytes) and writing output data (PROFIBUS output bytes from the master, made available to the FX2N program via the module’s buffer memory). The FX2N program accesses the PROFIBUS exchange data via FROM/TO buffer memory instructions — TO writes place data into the module’s input buffer (data the PROFIBUS master reads as slave input data), and FROM reads retrieve data from the module’s output buffer (data the PROFIBUS master has written as slave output data). The FX2N-32DP-IF provides a GSD (Generic Station Description) file for import into the PROFIBUS master’s configuration tool, defining the module’s I/O data structure and supported communication parameters.
Key Technical Specifications
- Model: FX2N-32DP-IF
- Function: PROFIBUS-DP slave (intelligent device station)
- Protocol: PROFIBUS-DP V0 (IEC 61158 / EN 50170)
- Maximum Input Data (master reads from FX2N): 32 bytes (256 bits)
- Maximum Output Data (master writes to FX2N): 32 bytes (256 bits)
- Transmission Speed: 9.6 kbps to 12 Mbps (auto-detected from master)
- Station Address: 1 to 99 (set via rotary switches on module front panel)
- Bus Connector: 9-pin D-Sub female (RS-485)
- Extension Bus Occupation: 8 I/O points
- External Power Supply: 24 VDC ±10%, 100 mA (required)
- Current Consumption (FX2N bus): 50 mA at 5 VDC
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 55°C
- Compatible FX2N base units: All FX2N models
- Weight: Approx. 0.15 kg
Typical Industrial Applications
The FX2N-32DP-IF is deployed in hierarchical control architectures where a Siemens or other brand PLC manages the plant-level PROFIBUS network and FX2N controllers handle local machine control as PROFIBUS slave nodes. In automotive body shop automation, Siemens SIMATIC S7-400 plant controllers manage robot cell coordination and production sequencing via PROFIBUS, with each welding or assembly cell’s FX2N machine controller reporting cell status (cycle complete, fault codes, production count) and receiving job parameters (weld schedule number, programme selection) via the FX2N-32DP-IF slave connection. In pharmaceutical cleanroom environmental monitoring systems managed by a Siemens building automation PROFIBUS master, FX2N-32DP-IF-equipped FX2N controllers report temperature, humidity, pressure differential, and HVAC valve status data from each cleanroom zone to the central building management system. Food and beverage processing lines controlled by a Siemens PCS7 distributed control system use FX2N-32DP-IF modules to integrate FX2N packaging machine controllers into the plant PROFIBUS backbone, receiving production orders and reporting output counts, downtime codes, and machine state to the production management system without requiring dedicated Ethernet infrastructure to each machine. In water treatment facilities with PROFIBUS-based SCADA systems, FX2N pump station controllers equipped with FX2N-32DP-IF modules report pump run status, flow totals, pressure readings, and alarm states to the SCADA master as PROFIBUS slave data, eliminating the need for separate RS-232C or RS-485 serial connections from each pump station to the SCADA system.
Replacement & Upgrade Notes
The FX2N-32DP-IF is a discontinued Mitsubishi product available for maintenance replacement through specialist distributors including Atlantech Drives. For FX2N installations where the FX2N-32DP-IF has failed and cannot be sourced, the PROFIBUS slave functionality cannot be replicated using another FX2N module type — the FX2N-32DP-IF is the only PROFIBUS interface module in the FX2N special function module range. When a direct replacement FX2N-32DP-IF cannot be sourced and the machine must remain operational with PROFIBUS connectivity, a third-party PROFIBUS-to-Modbus gateway (converting PROFIBUS slave data to Modbus RTU register data) with an FX2N-485-BD RS-485 option board providing the Modbus RTU communication provides a temporary workaround — the PROFIBUS master communicates with the gateway as a PROFIBUS slave, and the gateway forwards data to the FX2N via Modbus RTU. For planned platform migrations from FX2N to FX3U while retaining PROFIBUS slave connectivity, the MELSEC-Q QJ71PB92D PROFIBUS-DP slave module provides equivalent functionality for MELSEC-Q systems, while the FX3U platform does not have a native PROFIBUS-DP slave module — third-party PROFIBUS-to-Ethernet or PROFIBUS-to-Modbus gateways remain the FX3U PROFIBUS integration approach. Facilities planning complete platform migration from FX2N to iQ-R should evaluate the RJ71PB91V PROFIBUS-DP master/slave module for the iQ-R platform as the long-term PROFIBUS integration solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the FX2N-32DP-IF participate as a PROFIBUS-DP slave in a network managed by a Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 master?
A: Yes. The FX2N-32DP-IF implements standard PROFIBUS-DP V0 slave protocol — any PROFIBUS-DP Class 1 master, including the Siemens S7-1500 with CM 1542-5 PROFIBUS module, can configure and communicate with the FX2N-32DP-IF as a slave using the module’s GSD file. Import the GSD file into TIA Portal’s hardware configuration for the S7-1500 CM 1542-5, configure the I/O data structure, and the FX2N-32DP-IF will exchange data with the S7-1500 identically to any other DP V0 slave device on the network.
Q: What is the maximum data exchange between the FX2N-32DP-IF and the PROFIBUS master per bus cycle?
A: The FX2N-32DP-IF supports a maximum of 32 bytes (256 bits) of input data (FX2N to master) and 32 bytes (256 bits) of output data (master to FX2N) per PROFIBUS bus cycle. These 32-byte data blocks are mapped to the module’s buffer memory — the FX2N program writes data to buffer memory registers BFM#0–BFM#15 (32 bytes = 16 words) for transmission to the master as input data, and reads buffer memory registers BFM#16–BFM#31 for data received from the master as output data, using TO and FROM instructions respectively.
Q: Does the FX2N-32DP-IF support PROFIBUS-DP V1 acyclic communication for parameter access from the master?
A: No. The FX2N-32DP-IF supports PROFIBUS-DP V0 standard cyclic data exchange only — it does not support DP V1 acyclic parameter access or DP V1 alarm handling. All data exchange between the PROFIBUS master and the FX2N must be implemented within the 32-byte cyclic I/O data blocks. For applications requiring more than 32 bytes of data exchange per cycle or requiring DP V1 acyclic access, a more capable PROFIBUS interface — such as a third-party PROFIBUS gateway with larger data capacity — must be specified instead of the FX2N-32DP-IF.
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