MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org
MODBUS over Serial Line  
Specification and Implementation Guide  
V1.02 
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
1/44
MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org  
Contents 
1 
Introduction ..............................................................................4 
1.1  Scope of this document ............................................................. 4 
1.2  Protocol overview....................................................................... 5 
1.3  Conventions ............................................................................... 5 
1.4  Compliance ................................................................................ 6 
1.5  Glossary..................................................................................... 6 
2  MODBUS Data Link Layer.......................................................7 
2.1  MODBUS Master / Slaves protocol principle.............................. 7 
2.2  MODBUS Addressing rules........................................................ 8 
2.3  MODBUS frame description....................................................... 8 
2.4  Master / Slaves State Diagrams................................................. 9 
2.5  The two serial Transmission Modes......................................... 12 
2.6  Error Checking Methods .......................................................... 19 
3  Physical Layer........................................................................20 
3.1  Preamble.................................................................................. 20 
3.2  Data Signaling Rates ............................................................... 20 
3.3  Electrical Interfaces.................................................................. 21 
3.4  Multipoint System requirements............................................... 27 
3.5  Mechanical Interfaces .............................................................. 29 
3.6  Cables...................................................................................... 32 
3.7  Visual Diagnosis ...................................................................... 32 
Installation and Documentation .............................................33 
4.1 
Installation................................................................................ 33 
4.2  User Guide............................................................................... 33 
5 
Implementation Classes ........................................................34 
6  Appendix................................................................................35 
6.1  Appendix A - Management of Serial Line Diagnostic Counters35 
6.2  Appendix B - LRC/CRC Generation......................................... 38 
6.3  Appendix E - References ......................................................... 44 
4 
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
2/44
MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org   
 
1.0 
Month-Year  Modifications 
Nov  02 
Document modifications 
Creation.  
This document comprises a description of  Master / slave protocol and of the two 
different transmission modes ( RTU, ASCII).  
The main features of the physical layer ( RS485, RS232) and some recommendations 
are provided.  
Implementation classes are proposed to guide the implementation.  
1.01  Aug 30, 2006  Minor clarifications and correction of typos.
1.02   Dec 20, 2006  Minor clarifications and correction of typos.
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
3/44
MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org    
1 
Introduction 
1.1  Scope of this document 
The  MODBUS  standard  defines  an  application  layer  messaging  protocol,  positioned  at  level  7  of  the  OSI  model  that  provides 
"client/server" communications between devices connected on different types of buses or networks.  It standardizes also a specific 
protocol on serial line to exchange MODBUS request between a master and one or several slaves.  
The objective of this document is to present the MODBUS protocol over serial line, in order to be used by all system designers when 
they want to implement MODBUS protocol on their serial line products.  Thus, this document will facilitate interoperability between 
devices using the MODBUS protocol. 
This document comes in complement to the document called "MODBUS Application Protocol Specification". 
In  chapter  5  different  implementation  classes  are  defined  for  "MODBUS  Serial  Line".    Specification  of  a  class  is  the  sum  of 
requirements that a device must respect in order to belong to that class. 
The MODBUS 
application protocol 
( OSI Level 7) 
MODBUS 
Application 
Protocol 
Specification 
This 
document 
MODBUS over 
Serial Line 
Specification & 
Implementation 
Guide 
Serial Line specification 
(OSI Levels 1 & 2) 
Figure 1: 
General overview of MODBUS documents  
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
4/44
MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org    
1.2  Protocol overview 
This document describes the MODBUS over Serial Line protocol.  MODBUS Serial Line protocol is a Master-Slave protocol.  This 
protocol takes place at level 2 of the OSI model. 
A master-slave type system has one node (the master node) that issues explicit commands to one of the "slave" nodes and processes 
responses.  Slave nodes will not typically transmit data without a request from the master node, and do not communicate with other 
slaves. 
At the physical level, MODBUS over Serial Line systems may use different physical interfaces (RS485, RS232).  TIA/EIA-485 (RS485) 
Two-Wire interface is the most common.  As an add-on option, RS485 Four-Wire interface may also be implemented. A TIA/EIA-232-
E (RS232) serial interface may also be used as an interface, when only short point to point communication is required.  (see chapter 
"Physical Layer") 
The  following  figure  gives  a  general  representation  of  MODBUS  serial  communication  stack  compared  to  the  7  layers  of  the  OSI 
model. 
Layer 
7 
6 
5 
4 
3 
2 
1 
ISO/OSI Model  
Application 
Presentation 
Session 
Transport 
Network 
Data Link 
Physical 
MODBUS Application Protocol 
Empty 
Empty 
Empty 
Empty 
MODBUS Serial Line Protocol 
EIA/TIA-485   (or EIA/TIA-232) 
MODBUS Application 
Layer 
Client / server  
MODBUS Master / Slave
EIA/TIA-485
(or EIA/TIA-232)
Figure 2: 
MODBUS Protocols and ISO/OSI Model 
MODBUS application layer messaging protocol, positioned at level 7 of the OSI model, provides client/server communication between 
devices connected on buses or networks.  On MODBUS serial line the client role is provided by the Master of the serial bus and the 
Slaves nodes act as servers. 
1.3  Conventions 
In this document, the following words are used to define the significance of each particular requirement.  
  "MUST" / "REQUIRED" 
All requirements containing the word "MUST" are mandatory.  The word MUST, or the adjective "REQUIRED", means that the item is 
an absolute requirement of the implementation. These words are underlined. 
  "SHOULD" / "RECOMMENDED" 
All recommendations containing the word "SHOULD", or the adjective “RECOMMENDED”, are considered desired behavior.  These 
recommendations should be used as a guideline when choosing between different options to implement functionality.  There may be 
valid  reasons  in  particular  circumstances  to  ignore  this item, but the full implications should be understood and the case carefully 
weighed before choosing a different course. These words are underlined. 
  "MAY" / "OPTIONAL" 
The word “MAY”, or the adjective "OPTIONAL", means that this item is truly optional.  One designer may choose to include the item 
because a particular marketplace requires it or because it enhances the product, for example; another designer may omit the same 
item. 
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
5/44
MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org    
1.4  Compliance 
An implementation is not in conformity if it fails to satisfy one or more of the MUST requirements from its implementation class.   
An implementation that satisfies all the MUST requirements and all the SHOULD recommendations is said to be "unconditionally 
compliant". 
One that satisfies all the MUST requirements but not all the SHOULD recommendations is said to be "conditionally compliant". 
1.5  Glossary 
Definition of particular words, symbols, and abbreviations used in this document. 
2W 
4W  
AUI 
AWG
Common 
DCE 
Device  
Driver 
DTE 
ITr 
IDv 
LT
MODBUS Device 
RS232 
RS485  
RS485-MODBUS  
Transceiver
The Two-Wire configuration defined in the “Electrical Interface” chapter, or one of its interfaces. 
The Four-Wire configuration defined in the “Electrical Interface” chapter, or one of its interfaces. 
Attachment Unit Interface 
American Wire Gauge, a standard method denoting wire diameter; please see Appendix E - References. 
The Signal Common in EIA/TIA Standards. In a 2W-or 4W-RS485 MODBUS Network, Signal and optional 
Power Supply Common  
a MODBUS Device, for example a programmable controller adapter, which implements an RS232 Data 
Circuit-terminating Equipment, also named Data Communication Equipment. 
or “MODBUS device” : see this definition. 
Generator, or Transmitter. 
a  MODBUS  Device,  for  example  a  programming  panel  or  a  PC,  which  implements  an  RS232  Data 
Terminal Equipment. 
Physical bus Interface on Trunk side.   
Physical bus Interface on Derivation (or tap or device drop) side.   
Line Termination.
a Device that implements MODBUS over Serial Line and respects this Technical Note. 
EIA/ TIA -232  Standard. 
EIA/ TIA -485  Standard. 
A 2W-or 4W-Network in accordance with this Technical Note. 
a Transmitter and a Receiver (or Driver and Receiver). 
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
6/44
MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org    
2  MODBUS Data Link Layer 
2.1  MODBUS Master / Slaves protocol principle  
The MODBUS Serial Line protocol is a Master-Slaves protocol.  Only one master (at the same time) is connected to the bus, and one 
or several (247 maximum number) slaves nodes are also connected to the same serial bus.   A MODBUS communication is always 
initiated by the master.  The slave nodes will never transmit data without receiving a request from the master node.  The slave nodes 
will never communicate with each other.  The master node initiates only one MODBUS transaction at the same time. 
The master node issues a MODBUS request to the slave nodes in two modes : 
    In  unicast  mode,  the  master  addresses  an  individual  slave.    After  receiving  and  processing  the  request,  the  slave  returns  a 
message (a 'reply') to the master . 
In that mode, a MODBUS transaction consists of 2 messages : a request from the master, and a reply from the slave. 
Each slave must have an unique address (from 1 to 247) so that it can be addressed independently from other nodes. 
  In broadcast mode, the master can send a request to all slaves. 
No response is returned to broadcast requests sent by the master.  The broadcast requests are necessarily writing commands.  All 
devices must accept the broadcast for writing function.  The address 0 is reserved to identify a broadcast exchange. 
master
request
reply
slave
slave
slave
Figure 3: 
Unicast mode 
master
request
slave
slave
slave
Figure 4: 
Broadcast mode 
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
7/44
MODBUS over serial line specification and implementation guide V1.02 
Modbus.org    
2.2  MODBUS Addressing rules  
The MODBUS addressing space comprises 256 different addresses.  
0 
Broadcast 
address 
From 1 to 247  
Slave individual addresses 
From 248 to 255  
Reserved 
The Address 0 is reserved as the broadcast address.  All slave nodes must recognise the broadcast address. 
The MODBUS Master node has no specific address, only the slave nodes must have an address.  This address must be unique on a 
MODBUS serial bus.  
2.3  MODBUS frame description 
The MODBUS application protocol [1] defines a simple Protocol Data Unit (PDU) independent of the underlying communication layers: 
Function code
Data
MODBUS PDU
Figure 5: 
MODBUS Protocol Data Unit 
The mapping of MODBUS protocol on a specific bus or network introduces some additional fields on the Protocol Data Unit.  The 
client  that  initiates  a  MODBUS  transaction  builds  the  MODBUS  PDU,  and  then  adds  fields  in  order  to  build  the  appropriate 
communication PDU. 
Address field
MODBUS SERIAL LINE PDU
Data
Function code
CRC (or LRC)
MODBUS PDU
Figure 6: 
MODBUS frame over Serial Line 
  On MODBUS Serial Line, the Address field only contains the slave address. 
As  described  in  the  previous  section  the  valid  slave  nodes  addresses  are  in  the  range  of  0  –  247  decimal.    The  individual  slave 
devices are assigned addresses in the range of 1 – 247.  A master addresses a slave by placing the slave address in the address field 
of the message.  When the slave returns its response, it places its own address in the response address field to let the master know 
which slave is responding. 
  The function code indicates to the server what kind of action to perform.  The function code can be followed by a data field that 
contains request and response parameters. 
  Error checking field is the result of a "Redundancy Checking" calculation that is performed on the message contents.  Two kinds 
of calculation methods are used depending on the transmission mode that is being used (RTU or ASCII).   (see 2.5 section, "The 
two serial Transmission Modes") 
Modbus.org
Dec 20, 2006 
http://www.modbus.org/
8/44