The BL118 is an industrial protocol gateway pre-installed with Node-RED, supporting Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT, and mainstream PLC protocols. With industrial-grade reliability (-45~80℃) and no-code drag-and-drop operation, it enables seamless device-cloud-SCADA integration.
Case Details
In the era of industrial digital transformation, protocol fragmentation and complex development processes have long been pain points for enterprises. Factories and energy facilities are equipped with a mix of devices—Siemens/Mitsubishi PLCs, Modbus sensors, OPC UA-enabled systems, and MQTT cloud platforms—each relying on distinct communication protocols. Meanwhile, traditional industrial protocol gateways often require professional coding skills for configuration, leading to prolonged deployment cycles and high maintenance costs.
Enter the BLIIOT BL118 Node-RED Edge Gateway—a game-changing industrial protocol gateway that integrates Node-RED’s visual programming capabilities with industrial-grade reliability. By pre-installing the Node-RED environment and supporting a full suite of industrial protocols, the BL118 eliminates coding barriers, unifies fragmented devices, and accelerates the pace of IIoT implementation for smart factories, energy management, and smart city projects.
Core Advantage: Node-RED Empowers No-Code Protocol Integration
The
BL118’s biggest differentiator lies in its deep integration with Node-RED V4.0.0, a visual programming tool that transforms complex protocol integration into a drag-and-drop experience. This design fundamentally changes how industrial teams handle device connectivity.
1. Visual Workflow Orchestration, No Coding Required
Node-RED’s intuitive interface allows engineers to build protocol conversion and data transmission workflows without writing a single line of code. The
BL118 comes pre-loaded with a customized Node-RED environment, complete with built-in node libraries for industrial protocols:
- Protocol Nodes: Ready-to-use nodes for Modbus (RTU/ASCII/TCP), OPC UA, MQTT, BACnet, and CAN, covering the core communication needs of industrial scenarios.
- PLC Compatibility Nodes: Native support for mainstream PLC brands including Siemens (S7-200/300/1200/1500), Mitsubishi (FX series), Omron (CJ/CS), and Delta (DVP series), eliminating the need for custom driver development.
- Expandable Ecosystem: Access to over 5,000 official and third-party nodes, supporting functions like data filtering, visualization dashboards, and cloud platform integration (Huawei Cloud, AWS IoT Core, Alibaba Cloud IoT).
For example, connecting a Modbus RTU temperature sensor to an MQTT cloud platform only requires dragging "Modbus Input" and "MQTT Output" nodes onto the canvas, configuring parameters, and deploying—all in 10 minutes or less.
2. Real-Time Debugging and Rapid Iteration
The BL118’s Node-RED environment includes a real-time debugging interface that displays data flows and error logs in real time. Engineers can modify workflows on the fly and validate logic instantly, reducing the time to resolve protocol integration issues from days to hours. Additionally, support for Docker container deployment enables seamless secondary development and functional expansion, adapting to evolving business needs.
Comprehensive Protocol Support: Unifying Industrial Ecosystems
As an industrial protocol gateway, the
BL118 excels at bridging the communication gap between diverse devices and systems, with full coverage of upstream and downstream protocols.
1. Downlink Protocols: Connecting Legacy and Smart Devices
The BL118 is equipped with 4/8 isolated RS485/232/CAN serial ports and dual Ethernet ports (100M), enabling direct connectivity to a wide range of industrial devices:
- Modbus Family: Full support for Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, and Modbus TCP, seamlessly integrating with sensors, meters, and actuators.
- PLC Protocols: Native compatibility with proprietary protocols of major PLC brands, facilitating data acquisition from production line controllers.
- Specialized Protocols: Support for BACnet (for building automation), CAN (for automotive and industrial control), and DL/T645-2007 (for power meters), expanding application scenarios.
Isolation protection and ESD/EFT resistance ensure stable communication even in harsh industrial environments with strong electromagnetic interference (EMI).
2. Uplink Protocols: Seamless Cloud and Enterprise Integration
The
BL118 supports a rich set of uplink protocols, enabling bidirectional data transmission between edge devices and cloud/enterprise systems:
- Cloud Protocols: MQTT, HTTP, and WebSocket, with pre-configured compatibility for mainstream cloud platforms (Huawei Cloud IoT, AWS IoT Core, Alibaba Cloud IoT, ThingsBoard).
- Enterprise Protocols: OPC UA and BACnet/IP, facilitating integration with SCADA systems, MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), and ERP software (e.g., SAP).
- Secure Transmission: TLS/SSL encryption and OpenVPN support ensure data security during remote transmission, meeting industrial data protection requirements.
Industrial-Grade Reliability: Built for Harsh Environments
The
BL118 adheres to strict industrial design standards, ensuring stable operation in extreme conditions and intensive workloads.
1. Robust Hardware Configuration
- Performance: Dual-core Cortex-A7 processor (1.2GHz) with optional 512M/1G DDR3 RAM and 4G/8G eMMC storage, supporting SD card expansion for historical data logging.
- Rugged Design: Aluminum alloy casing with stainless steel components, IP30 dust protection, and enclosure grounding, resisting corrosion and EMI.
- Wide Temperature Range: Validated for operation from -45°C to 80°C, suitable for cold storage facilities, desert solar farms, and high-heat production lines.
- Reliability Features: Onboard independent hardware watchdog, reverse polarity protection, and overcurrent protection, preventing downtime from hardware failures or electrical anomalies.
2. Flexible Expansion for Diverse Scenarios
The BL118’s modular design allows customization of I/O interfaces via X and Y series expansion boards:
- X Series Boards: Support RS485, RS232, CAN, DI, DO, and GPIO, adapting to different serial communication needs.
- Y Series Boards: Expand with AI/AO, RTD (PT100/PT1000), TC (thermocouple), and relay output, enabling temperature measurement, analog control, and pulse counting.
- Wireless Options: Optional WiFi (2.4G/5.8G dual-band) or 4G modules, providing flexible connectivity for remote or distributed sites.
Real-World Application: Smart Factory Protocol Integration
A mid-sized automotive parts manufacturer faced challenges with fragmented device communication: its production line used Siemens S7-1200 PLCs, Modbus RTU pressure sensors, and an Alibaba Cloud-based MES system, but protocol mismatches led to delayed data transmission and manual data logging.
After deploying the
BL118:
- Rapid Integration: Using Node-RED’s drag-and-drop interface, the team built a workflow connecting the Siemens PLC (Ethernet port) and Modbus sensors (RS485 ports) to the MQTT-based Alibaba Cloud in 30 minutes—no coding required.
- Stable Operation: The BL118’s -45~80°C operating range and EMI resistance ensured uninterrupted data collection in the high-heat, high-interference factory environment.
- Visualization and Efficiency: An expandable Web dashboard was added via Node-RED, displaying real-time production data and reducing manual logging efforts by 80%.
- Remote Maintenance: The BLRAT remote maintenance tool allowed engineers to adjust workflows and troubleshoot from the office, cutting on-site visits by 70%.
The result: The manufacturer achieved end-to-end data connectivity, reduced production downtime by 15%, and lowered IIoT deployment costs by 40% compared to traditional gateway solutions.
Conclusion: The Future of Industrial Protocol Connectivity
The BLIIOT
BL118 Node-RED Edge Gateway redefines industrial protocol integration by combining Node-RED’s no-code simplicity with industrial-grade reliability and comprehensive protocol support. It eliminates the technical barriers of traditional gateways, enabling teams of all skill levels to unify fragmented devices, accelerate deployment, and unlock the full potential of IIoT.
Whether for smart factory production line monitoring, energy management system integration, or distributed device maintenance in smart cities, the BL118 delivers a flexible, efficient, and cost-effective solution. As industrial digital transformation accelerates, the BL118 stands as a critical enabler—turning protocol chaos into seamless connectivity, one drag-and-drop workflow at a time.
