In the wave of industrial digitalization, the coexistence of heterogeneous protocols has become the norm at almost every industrial site.
For example:
PLCs, instruments, and data collectors often use Modbus
Inverters and servo drives commonly rely on CANopen
Upper-level systems require MQTT or OPC UA
Factory IT platforms frequently expect HTTP/REST or proprietary protocols
This “protocol fragmentation” forces engineers to spend excessive time on scripting, adaptation, and debugging—extending project timelines and increasing delivery risks.
To address this challenge, BeiLai Technology introduces the BL118 Node-RED Edge Computing Gateway, which integrates protocol parsing, logic orchestration, data transformation, and data forwarding into a single device. It truly delivers plug-and-play deployment, rapid implementation, and effortless system integration.
One of the most critical requirements in industrial environments is the ability to support legacy devices while connecting modern systems.
BL118 comes with a rich set of built-in protocol nodes, making it suitable for diverse scenarios:
Access to PLCs, instruments, power meters, and acquisition modules
Data forwarding to cloud platforms, SCADA systems, or self-built applications
Data semantic processing for platform integration
Local caching and edge-side storage
With a single gateway, data collection → parsing → protocol conversion → output can be completed without relying on PLCs as intermediate relays, significantly reducing system coupling.
Compared to traditional code-based development, Node-RED enables visual, flow-based programming, allowing protocol conversion to be completed through simple drag-and-drop operations:
Serial Modbus acquisition → data parsing → MQTT publishing
CAN devices → data calculation → OPC UA exposure for MES
Large-scale data collection → local preprocessing → batch cloud upload
Logic-based alarms → proactive notifications via enterprise messaging or email
Engineers no longer need to write complex scripts, greatly lowering implementation difficulty and making ongoing maintenance much more user-friendly.
In many industrial control scenarios, simply uploading raw data is not sufficient—edge-side intelligence is essential.
BL118 supports:
Debouncing, filtering, and outlier removal
Sampling aggregation, average/peak/cumulative calculations
Local event triggering and interlocking control
Traffic throttling, batch caching, and breakpoint resume
Integration with PLC logic or client/server systems
These capabilities reduce network load, improve real-time performance, and ensure higher-quality data at the platform level.
Designed for long-term industrial operation, BL118 offers:
DIN-rail mounting
Industrial-grade temperature tolerance and anti-interference performance
Offline operation with no data loss during network interruptions
Remote upgrades and batch workflow deployment
Fast on-site debugging for easier enterprise maintenance
In large-scale projects, BL118 can work alongside central control systems to enable standardized and replicable delivery models.
Smart Manufacturing: Multi-brand PLC data acquisition → MQTT to MES
Water & Environmental Monitoring: Modbus water quality instruments → HJ212 / HTTP cloud platforms
Energy & Power Facilities: Power meter data collection → OPC UA for monitoring systems
Building & HVAC: BACnet / Modbus device integration → cloud-based visualization
The BL118 Node-RED Edge Computing Gateway is a powerful tool for industrial protocol conversion:
🔰 Comprehensive multi-protocol support
🔰 Visual programming that lowers implementation barriers
🔰 Edge-side intelligence for higher real-time performance and stability
🔰 Lightweight deployment and easy maintenance across industrial scenarios
In complex industrial environments characterized by heterogeneous devices, diverse platforms, and cross-system integration challenges, BL118 reduces the learning curve and simplifies protocol interoperability—allowing industrial data to flow freely and efficiently.
