ProSoft MVI56E-LDM Linux Application Development Module

I. Product Overview

MVI56E-LDM is a high-performance Linux application development module specially designed by ProSoft Technology for the Rockwell ControlLogix platform. It is a customized edge computing node with an independent processor and Linux operating system, allowing users to directly develop, compile, and run custom C/C++ applications within the ControlLogix rack to achieve complete autonomy in communication and data processing for non-standard protocol devices, special industrial interfaces, and IoT (IIoT) platforms. It is a core programmable interface solution for addressing complex, proprietary system integration requirements.

II. Model Code Interpretation (MVI56E-LDM)

MVI56E: Enhanced inRAx series, ControlLogix 1756 single-slot enhanced module

LDM: Linux Development Module, Linux application development module

III. Core Technical Parameters

(1) Hardware Specifications

Compatible platforms: Rockwell ControlLogix 1756 series racks (local / remote racks)

Slot occupancy: Single slot (1756 standard size)

Backplane power consumption: 800mA @ 5VDC; 3mA @ 24VDC

Processor: 400MHz ARM9 G20 processor

Memory and Storage:

System memory: 64MB SDRAM

Flash memory: 256MB NAND Flash (for system and application storage)

Expansion storage: Supports up to 16GB CompactFlash (CF) card (optional)

Communication interfaces:

Ethernet ports: 2 independent 10/100 Mbps adaptive Ethernet ports (RJ45), supporting Auto-MDIX

Serial ports: 2 independent isolated serial ports (RS-232/422/485, software configurable)

Isolation protection: 2500Vrms光电 isolation (for serial ports)

Status indicators：

OK， APP， ERR three-color LED status lights

ProSoft Technology Inc

4-character scrolling alphanumeric LED display (displaying IP， status， custom messages) ProSoft Technology Inc

Environmental indicators ProSoft Technology Inc：

Operating temperature： 0°C ~ +60°C

Storage temperature： -40°C ~ +85°C

Vibration： 5g @ 10~150Hz； Shock： 30g (running) / 50g (non-running)

Humidity： 5% ~ 95% (no condensation)

Certifications： CE， UL， cURus， RoHS

(II) Software and Operating System

Operating system： Embedded Linux (kernel 2.6.33.7)， distribution Timesys

Development environment：

Provides Linux virtual machine (VM) development kit (LDMdevKit， optional purchase)

Pre-configured Eclipse IDE， GNU C/C++ toolchain， cross compiler

Built-in ControlLogix backplane communication API (for data interaction with PLC controller)

Development languages： C / C++

Protocol support (pre-installed libraries)：

IIoT / Industrial Internet of Things： ThingWorx， MQTT， Sparkplug B (with sample source code)

Standard protocols： Can be developed to support Modbus， DNP3， DF1， etc.

Custom protocols： Fully supports private Ethernet， serial ASCII/byte stream protocols

(III) Data Interaction

Backplane data exchange： Maximum 8000 bytes (16 bits) bidirectional shared data buffer

Data mapping： PLC tag ↔ Linux application memory free mapping

Debugging interface：

RS-232 Console port (DB9) ProSoft Technology Inc

Telnet / SSH remote login (via Ethernet) ProSoft Technology Inc

Web service (optional， for status monitoring)

V. Product Core Features

Independent Linux computer in the rack

Directly embeds a complete， industrial-grade embedded Linux system into the ControlLogix rack， without occupying PLC scan time， runs user programs independently， integrates edge computing and protocol gateway functions.

Fully autonomous programmable (C/C++)

Users have 100% control rights， can write any logic， drivers， protocol parsing code. Completely摆脱s the limitation of fixed protocol modules， any special equipment， non-standard protocols can be perfectly connected.

Rich dual-interface resources The independent hardware configuration of dual Ethernet + dual isolated serial ports supports the simultaneous connection of various types and protocols of devices (such as: one Ethernet connected to the IIoT cloud, one serial connected to the instrument). A single module can solve complex interconnection requirements.

Pre-installed IIoT and cloud connection capabilities

Built-in software development libraries and examples for ThingWorx, MQTT, and Sparkplug B, quickly enabling the cloud connection of ControlLogix data, remote monitoring, and the digital transformation of industrial IoT.

Industrial-grade stability and security

No fan, wide temperature range, electrical isolation design, stable operation 7×24 hours. The Linux system provides multiple security mechanisms such as user permissions, firewall, SSH encryption, ensuring data and communication security. ProSoft Technology Inc.

Complete development ecosystem and support

Provide one-stop development kits (VM + IDE + libraries + routines), Add-On Instruction (AOI), ladder diagram templates and detailed technical documents, reducing development barriers and accelerating project deployment.

V. Typical application scenarios

Non-standard equipment integration: connecting dedicated sensors, testers, old equipment with no standard protocol interfaces

Custom protocol gateway: developing a conversion gateway for ** private protocol ↔ standard protocol (such as Modbus)**

Industrial IoT (IIoT): data connection between ControlLogix and cloud platforms such as ThingWorx/AWS/Azure

Edge data processing: preprocessing, analyzing, filtering data within the module to reduce PLC and network load

Special communication drivers: developing printer drivers, barcode/QR code parsing, terminal emulation, etc. for exclusive applications

Highly secure data collection: implementing encrypted transmission, data verification, and breakpoint continuation transmission in the Linux layer for highly reliable applications

VI. Development kits and supporting tools

Essential kits: LDMdevKit (Linux virtual machine, Eclipse IDE, compiler, library files)

Programming software: RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000 (V10+) ProSoft Technology Inc

Debugging software: ProSoft Discovery Service, Telnet/SSH client ProSoft Technology Inc

Supporting cables: Null Modem debugging cable, Ethernet cable, serial communication cable

VII. Summary of product advantages

MVI56E-LDM is the most powerful and flexible customized communication and edge computing module for the ControlLogix platform. Its core value lies in breaking the limitations of fixed functional modules, granting users complete development autonomy, and through the powerful hardware combination of Linux system + dual network ports + dual serial ports + independent processor, solving all non-standard, exclusive, and complex system integration and IIoT cloud connection problems in one go. It is an indispensable core component in high-end equipment manufacturing, intelligent factory transformation, special industrial scenarios, and innovative IoT applications.