Modbus industry data communication with application to smart infrastructures

Part 1:
This talk provides an overview of the MODBUS protocol, one of the most widely used communication protocol in industrial automation, exploring the fundamentals and its variants (RTU, TCP/IP, and ASCII), message structure and function codes. We will also go through practical implementation methods for communication between the master and slave devices, integrating Modbus functionality with micro-controllers. Attendees will gain insights into debugging Modbus networks and learn to integrate Modbus into microcontroller-based projects and further with industrial scale projects.
Part 2:
This presentation showcases the development of a data acquisition system using the ESP32 microcontroller for monitoring strain in concrete structures. The system reads data from 16 embedded strain gauges via amplifier modules using the MODBUS RTU protocol and transmits the data to the ThingSpeak cloud platform. The talk covers key aspects of the design, including hardware integration, waterproofing techniques to protect field electronics, and real-time data visualization. Attendees will gain insights into the practical challenges and solutions involved in building low-power, cloud-connected IoT systems using the ESP32 platform.
Co-sponsored by: Deakin University IEEE Student Branch
Speaker(s): Nishanth, Misbah
Bldg: KE , KE3.208, Deakin University, Waurn ponds campus, Victoria, Australia, 3217