Smart MODBUS Learning
Adaptation to real-world PV system communication
UNI V3.0 learns the communication of an existing system instead of being tied to a single PV inverter type.
In Smart MODBUS Learning mode, PV Communicator monitors the actual communication between the PV inverter and the Smart Meter and identifies the MODBUS requests used by the specific system. Based on the learned communication, it then creates a communication profile that is used by the MeterBridge system during operation.
Two learning methods
Transparent mode
PV Communicator learns the communication directly within the actual MeterBridge system using LoRa radios. MODBUS communication between the PV inverter and the Smart Meter passes through the already installed wireless communication link, while PV Communicator analyzes the traffic during operation and creates a communication profile from it.
This learning method does not require a dedicated test setup or a temporary wired connection between the PV inverter and the Smart Meter. It can be performed directly at the site where the system will operate.
True Sniffer mode
PV Communicator is connected to the existing wired RS485 bus as a passive listener. This makes it possible to create a communication profile in a “live” PV system where the Smart Meter and the PV inverter already communicate in the standard way via a wired connection.
PV Communicator does not interfere with the existing communication. It only analyzes the transmitted MODBUS requests and uses them to create a communication profile.
This allows a technician to prepare the profile for a specific system in advance and bring a preconfigured PV Communicator to the new installation. The MeterBridge link can then be deployed quickly and easily.
Important for profile creation
Learning mode should be activated before restarting the PV inverter. This allows PV Communicator to capture any initialization communication performed by the inverter only during system startup — for example, device detection on the bus or reading identification data from the Smart Meter.
These requests may not occur again during normal operation, but they may be essential for creating a complete communication profile.
This applies to both Transparent and True Sniffer modes.
Supported communication
Smart MODBUS Learning in the current version is designed for systems using the MODBUS RTU protocol via function FC3 (Read Holding Registers) at 9600 Bd, 8N1.