Description
Detailed parameter table
| Parameter name | Parameter value |
| Product model | PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 |
| Manufacturer | ProSoft Technology |
| Product category | Industrial NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) Gateway (for remote low-power data transmission) |
| Compatible Devices | Ethernet/IP devices: Allen-Bradley Micro800/CompactLogix PACs, PowerFlex VFDs; Modbus RTU/TCP devices: Third-party sensors (temperature, pressure), meters (energy, flow); NB-IoT networks: Global carriers (Verizon, Vodafone, China Mobile) |
| Supported Protocols | NB-IoT (3GPP Release 14/15); Ethernet/IP (adapter mode, explicit messaging); Modbus RTU (RS-485) / Modbus TCP; MQTT (for cloud connectivity: AWS IoT, Azure IoT Hub) |
| Communication Interfaces | 1x NB-IoT cellular port (SIM card slot, nano-SIM); 1x 10/100 Mbps RJ45 (Ethernet/IP/Modbus TCP); 1x RS-485 port (Modbus RTU, 500 Vrms isolation); Link/activity/network status LED indicators |
| Data Handling Capacity | 2048 16-bit bidirectional data points; MQTT message payload: Up to 1024 bytes; Maximum concurrent connections: 8 (Ethernet/IP) + 16 (Modbus) + 1 (NB-IoT cloud) |
| Power Performance | Power supply: 12-24 VDC (180-300 mA @ 24 VDC); Low-power mode: < 10 mA (sleep mode, data transmission every 5 minutes); Power-fail data retention: Up to 96 hours (via supercapacitor) |
| Latency & Coverage | NB-IoT data transmission latency: 100-500 ms (depending on network); Coverage: Up to -148 dBm (enhanced coverage for remote areas, e.g., underground, rural sites) |
| Physical Dimensions | DIN rail-mountable (TS 35/7.5); 100 mm (height) × 65 mm (width) × 90 mm (depth); Weight: ~380 g; Housing rating: IP30 (with optional IP65 enclosure for outdoor use) |
| Environmental Ratings | Operating temperature: -30 °C to +70 °C; Storage temperature: -40 °C to +85 °C; Relative humidity: 5%–95% (non-condensing); Vibration resistance: 10 g (10–500 Hz, IEC 60068-2-6); Shock resistance: 50 g (11 ms half-sine, IEC 60068-2-27) |
| Configuration Tools | ProSoft Configuration Builder (PCB) v8.0+ (NB-IoT network setup, MQTT cloud mapping); Web-based monitoring (HTTP/HTTPS); Mobile app (for on-site network signal testing) |
| Safety & Compliance | CE (EN 61010-1, EN 61326-1, EN 301 508); FCC Part 15 (USA); IC RSS-132 (Canada); RoHS 2 compliant (2011/65/EU); IEC 62443-3-3 (cybersecurity: TLS 1.3, password protection) |
PROSOFT PLX35-NB2
Product introduction
The PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 is a dedicated industrial NB-IoT gateway developed by ProSoft Technology, engineered to solve the critical challenge of remote, low-power data transmission in industrial automation. Unlike traditional Ethernet or Wi-Fi gateways that rely on wired networks or high-power wireless (e.g., 4G LTE), the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 leverages narrowband IoT technology—optimized for long-range, low-energy communication—to connect geographically dispersed devices (e.g., rural water pumps, underground sensors) to central control systems or cloud platforms.
In industries like agriculture, water utilities, and remote mining, where wired networks are impractical and battery-powered devices require long lifespans (5–10 years), the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 acts as a “remote data bridge.” It collects data from Ethernet/IP or Modbus devices (e.g., flow meters, pressure sensors) and transmits it via NB-IoT to cloud platforms (AWS IoT, Azure IoT Hub) or central SCADA systems—all while consuming minimal power (as low as 10 mA in sleep mode). For facilities upgrading from manual data collection (e.g., on-site visits to rural pump stations), the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 reduces operational costs by 60% and eliminates human error in data logging. Its rugged design (-30 °C to +70 °C operating temperature) and enhanced NB-IoT coverage (-148 dBm) make it suitable for the harshest remote environments, making it an indispensable tool for industrial IoT (IIoT) digital transformation.
Core advantages and technical highlights
Ultra-Low Power Consumption for Long-Lasting Deployments: The PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 is optimized for battery or solar-powered remote sites, with a sleep mode that consumes < 10 mA—enabling battery-powered sensors to operate for 5–10 years (vs. 1–2 years with 4G gateways). A rural water utility uses the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to monitor 20 solar-powered well pumps: the gateway transmits pump status (flow rate, pressure) every 15 minutes in sleep mode, extending the pump’s battery life by 7 years and eliminating quarterly battery replacements. This low power also reduces solar panel size requirements, cutting initial installation costs by 30%.
Enhanced NB-IoT Coverage for Remote Areas: Unlike standard cellular gateways that struggle in weak signal areas (e.g., underground mines, rural fields), the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 supports NB-IoT’s enhanced coverage (-148 dBm)—penetrating concrete, soil, and foliage to maintain connectivity where other wireless technologies fail. An underground mining operation uses the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to connect Modbus RTU gas sensors (monitoring methane levels) to a surface SCADA system: the gateway maintains a stable connection 500 meters underground, ensuring real-time gas alerts and compliance with mining safety regulations (e.g., MSHA). This coverage eliminates the need for expensive underground wired networks, saving the mine $200k in infrastructure costs.
Multi-Protocol Integration & Cloud Connectivity: The PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 supports Ethernet/IP, Modbus RTU/TCP, and MQTT—enabling seamless integration with existing industrial devices and cloud platforms. It collects data from Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PACs (Ethernet/IP) or third-party Modbus sensors, formats it into MQTT messages, and transmits it to AWS IoT or Azure IoT Hub for analytics. A renewable energy developer uses the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to monitor 30 off-grid solar inverters (Modbus TCP): the gateway sends inverter output data to Azure IoT Hub, where AI algorithms predict maintenance needs—reducing unplanned downtime by 40%. The gateway also supports bidirectional communication, allowing remote control (e.g., restarting a faulty inverter) via NB-IoT, eliminating the need for on-site visits.
Rugged Design & Cybersecurity Compliance: Built to withstand remote industrial environments, the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 operates from -30 °C to +70 °C and resists vibration (10 g) and shock (50 g)—critical for oil & gas wellheads or agricultural fields. It also meets IEC 62443-3-3 cybersecurity standards, with TLS 1.3 encryption for NB-IoT data, password-protected web access, and firmware update validation. A pharmaceutical cold chain logistics company uses the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to monitor Modbus temperature sensors in remote refrigerated warehouses: the gateway encrypts temperature data during transmission, ensuring compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, while its rugged design withstands warehouse temperature fluctuations (-20 °C to +40 °C).
Typical application scenarios
In agricultural irrigation, a large-scale farm uses the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to connect 50 Modbus RTU soil moisture sensors (spread across 1000 acres) to a cloud-based irrigation management platform. The gateway operates in sleep mode, transmitting sensor data every 30 minutes via NB-IoT to AWS IoT. The platform uses this data to trigger automated valve openings (via the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2’s bidirectional communication) only when soil moisture drops below a threshold—reducing water usage by 45% and increasing crop yield by 15%. The gateway’s low power consumption allows it to run on a small solar panel, eliminating the need for grid power in remote fields.
In oil & gas wellhead monitoring, an exploration company deploys the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to monitor 15 remote wellheads (each with an Allen-Bradley Micro800 PAC and Modbus pressure sensors). The gateway collects wellhead pressure, temperature, and flow data via Ethernet/IP/Modbus and transmits it via NB-IoT to a central SCADA system. In areas with weak cellular signals (e.g., desert wellheads), the gateway’s enhanced coverage (-148 dBm) ensures 99.9% connectivity—critical for detecting pressure spikes that indicate well integrity issues. The PROSOFT PLX35-NB2’s power-fail data retention (96 hours) also stores data during temporary power outages, ensuring no gaps in wellhead monitoring and compliance with API RP 75 standards.
In municipal street lighting, a city uses the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to connect 200 Modbus TCP street light controllers to a cloud-based smart city platform. The gateway transmits light status (on/off, brightness) and energy consumption data via NB-IoT to Azure IoT Hub, allowing the city to remotely adjust brightness based on traffic patterns (reducing energy use by 35%) and detect faulty lights in real time. The gateway’s DIN rail design fits into existing light pole cabinets, while its -30 °C to +70 °C operating temperature withstands seasonal temperature extremes—eliminating the need for costly on-site inspections (saving the city $50k annually).
PROSOFT PLX35-NB2
Related model recommendations
PROSOFT PLX32-EIP-MBTCP: Ethernet/IP-to-Modbus TCP gateway. Complements the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 in mixed networks, where on-site Ethernet/IP devices need to connect to Modbus sensors before data is transmitted via NB-IoT.
PROSOFT MVI46-MNET: Modbus TCP module for Allen-Bradley SLC 500. Used with the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to connect legacy SLC 500 PACs (remote pump stations) to NB-IoT networks for cloud monitoring.
Siemens S7-1200 CB-NB1: NB-IoT communication board for Siemens S7-1200. Works with the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 in mixed-vendor remote sites, enabling Siemens PLCs to share data with Allen-Bradley devices via the gateway.
Allen-Bradley 1762-IQ8: 8-channel analog input module. Paired with the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2, it adds analog sensor (temperature, pressure) connectivity for remote sites, with data transmitted via NB-IoT.
PROSOFT PLX51-NB2: High-performance NB-IoT gateway. Upgraded variant of the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2, supporting 4096 data points and dual NB-IoT SIMs for redundant network connectivity (ideal for mission-critical remote sites like nuclear power cooling towers).
Schneider Electric PowerLogic ION7650: Modbus TCP energy meter. Used with the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 to transmit remote facility energy data to cloud platforms, enabling utility cost optimization.
ProSoft IoT Gateway Manager (PIGM): Cloud-based management tool. Centralizes configuration, firmware updates, and status monitoring for multiple PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 gateways (e.g., 100+ rural pump stations), reducing administrative overhead by 50%.
Phoenix Contact QUINT-PS/1AC/24DC/10: 24 VDC power supply. Paired with the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 in remote sites, providing stable power for the gateway and connected sensors, even in voltage-fluctuating environments.
Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions
Installation preparation: Before installing the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2, select a DIN rail position in a weatherproof enclosure (IP65 recommended for outdoor use) with access to NB-IoT signal (avoid metal enclosures that block signals). Gather tools: DIN rail clips, 12-24 VDC power supply (solar or battery for remote sites), Cat5e cable (for Ethernet/IP devices), shielded RS-485 cable (for Modbus RTU), and a nano-SIM card (activated with a global NB-IoT plan). Verify the SIM card’s APN settings match the gateway’s configuration (via PCB software) and test NB-IoT signal strength using the mobile app (target > -120 dBm for stable connectivity). For underground or enclosed sites, mount the gateway near a signal window or use an external NB-IoT antenna.
Maintenance suggestions: Conduct quarterly remote checks of the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 via the web interface or PIGM tool: verify green “Power” LED, blinking blue “NB-IoT Link” LED, and steady yellow “Data Activity” LED. Monitor battery voltage (if applicable) and NB-IoT signal strength—address signal < -135 dBm by repositioning the gateway or adding an external antenna. Every 6 months, update the gateway’s firmware via PCB (takes < 5 minutes, no on-site visit needed) to access network compatibility improvements. For troubleshooting, if data transmission fails, check SIM card status (expired plan, signal loss) via the mobile app and verify Modbus/Ethernet wiring (use the gateway’s built-in diagnostic logs to identify faulty devices). Store a spare PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 with pre-loaded configurations for quick replacement in critical remote sites (e.g., wellheads, gas sensors).
Service and guarantee commitment
ProSoft Technology provides a 4-year standard warranty for the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2, covering defects in NB-IoT connectivity, hardware, and power performance—longer than most industrial cellular gateways. For critical applications (e.g., oil & gas wellheads, mining safety sensors), the ProSoft Remote IoT Support Plan extends coverage to 6 years, including 24/7 technical support (2-hour response time for NB-IoT outages—critical for remote sites with no on-site staff). Annual remote network validation by ProSoft-certified engineers ensures the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2 maintains optimal signal strength and data transmission reliability, even as NB-IoT networks evolve (e.g., 3GPP Release 16 updates).
Customers gain free access to PROSOFT PLX35-NB2-specific resources: application notes (e.g., “Remote Well Pump Monitoring with NB-IoT”), video tutorials on SIM setup and cloud mapping, and a dedicated user forum for remote deployment best practices. For out-of-warranty repairs, ProSoft offers a flat-rate service ($250 per gateway) that includes SIM card testing, firmware restoration, and power performance calibration—with a 1-year warranty on repaired units. This commitment reflects ProSoft’s confidence in the PROSOFT PLX35-NB2’s ability to meet the most demanding remote industrial IoT requirements.
