RTCONNECTTM
EMBEDDED INDUSTRIAL PROTOCOL MODULE
Add a suite of industrial protocols to your serial device with the RTConnect module, a compact serial-to-Ethernet interface featuring a proven PHY.
Accelerate time-to-market by integrating Ethernet into your serial devices with a simple PCB alteration
Unlock market access into any industrial or building automation market segment with support for EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA, BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP and MQTT in a single form factor
Maximize product profitability by replacing costly in-house development with a low-cost, six-in-one industrial protocol module that ensures high margins across your device’s entire lifecycle
Reduce space constraints with a compact protocol module designed for high-density layouts and tight enclosures
Add wireless communication to your device with full 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
Minimize development risk and streamline lab testing with pre-conformance support and documentation
Streamline end-user deployment with a browser-based configuration interface that requires no external software for your customers to download and maintain
Get expert support from inception to launch from a protocol partner with 30+ years of experience
The RTConnect Protocol Module
One Miniature RTConnect Module. Six Industrial Protocols.
Give your device instant access to the world’s most popular industrial networks.
A Versatile Industrial Communication Module for Any Industry
Industrial Automation
A seamless protocol bridge between serial devices and factory networks
Seamless PLC Integration
Effortlessly connect your serial-based sensors, drives and controllers to Allen-Bradley, Siemens and Schneider Electric PLCs.
No Protocol Expertise Required
Add high-speed ethernet-based protocols without having to write a single line of code.
IIoT & Cloud Ready
Bridge the gap between the factory floor and the front office with built-in support for MQTT and OPC UA data modeling.
Building Automation
Industrial protocol enablement for modern building management systems
Instant Equipment and Device Visibility
Make your device discoverable on any BACnet/IP network and open the building automation market to your products.
Simplified Compliance and Conformance
Get the documentation your customers require to easily use and install your device, crafted by an experienced protocol technician.
Maximize Opportunities in a High-Growth Market
Secure your share of the $90B (and growing) building automation market by integrating BACnet/IP and Modbus TCP communications into your devices.
Easily Integrate Industrial Protocol Support into Your Hardware
The RTConnect industrial protocol module communicates to the host processor over a serial physical layer and then presents the data as your desired ethernet-based protocol.
Integrate the RTConnect module footprint into your hardware design once to support all protocols
Supply the RTConnect Module with 3.3V DC and route your existing serial UART (Modbus RTU or ASCII)
Follow RTA’s proven development process to define and map your serial data for presentation on EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA, BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP and MQTT networks
That’s it! The RTConnect module does all the heavy lifting to provide you with a suite of industrial protocols, unlocking lucrative automation markets with a single hardware design.
A Proven Development Roadmap for Success

Real Time Automation provides a white glove service package to support your RTConnect module integration from design to deployment.
- Pick your package. Choose the protocol suite that matches your target market:
- The Full Automation 6-pack (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA, BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP and MQTT) for maximum factory versatility
- The Building Automation package (BACnet/IP and Modbus TCP) for specialized BMS communication
- Meet your Enginerds. RTA assigns a dedicated Enginerd to be your protocol partner, who provides you with hardware design documentation and collects interface protocol information.
- Model your device. RTA does the heavy lifting and takes the data available from your device and properly models it to each new presentation protocol. All data models, documentation and communication files are provided.
- Pre-Conformance. Once your team has the hardware ready, it is tested in the RTA lab to ensure it meets the highest standards for data integrity and industrial security. For protocols that require certification, like EtherNet/IP and PROFINET, RTA also runs certification testing and provides the test results you need to present to the conformance lab.
- Go to market. RTA trains your support and sales team to help them effectively sell and support your product’s new communication features. RTA can also review your technical and sales documentation to support your go-to-market efforts.
- Rest assured. RTA keeps your protocol drivers up-to-date without you allocating any resources to protocol maintenance. A guaranteed stock plan ensures that your custom RTConnect Module is always available to meet production demands.
Case Study: Streamlined Design, Faster Development
“This project illustrated the power of the RTConnect protocol module. RTConnect dramatically reduced this customer’s time to market. The modules offered a stable Ethernet physical layer and reliable protocol deployments. This likely saved months of labor and multiple PCB revisions. Their product is in the market adding value and making money not sitting on a developer’s desk.”
Partner with the Industrial Protocol Experts
You focus on what makes your products great. Let us handle the connectivity.
The RTConnect industrial protocol module is more than a hardware component. It’s a direct line to a team of Enginerds singularly focused on making it easy to integrate ethernet-based protocols into industrial devices. With RTA as your protocol partner, you focus on your core competencies while we manage the complexities of evolving protocols and industrial communication standards.
Total protocol lifecycle support that allows your team to skip months of writing, debugging and maintaining complex protocols
Expert consultation on data modeling to ensure your device presents information in the most effective and intuitive way for your target market
Pre-conformance testing support and documentation to expedite certification and bring your product to market quickly
Continuous protocol maintenance to ensure your device remains current, competitive, and compliant with the latest global standards without requiring updates of internal device firmware
Live Enginerd support that provides timely issue resolution without opening tickets or 24-hour wait times
RTConnect Module Specs At-a-Glance
Physical Attributes
| Product specifications | |
|---|---|
| Presentation Protocols | EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA, BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP and MQTT |
| Board Interface Protocols | Modbus RTU, ASCII serial Client |
| Board Interface Options | RS-232, TTL—Serial data rate up to 921,600 |
| Power | +3.3 volts DC |
| Temp Range | -40ºC to +85ºC (-40ºF to +185ºF) |
| Certifications | RoHS Compliant, REACH |
| Indicators (LED) | 10 Base-T Connection, 100 Base-T Connection, Link and Activity Indicator (Full/Half Duplex) |
| Wi-Fi | Optional 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 -2.5 GHz, up to 150 Mbps) |
| Footprint | 1.33 x .667 x .553 (33.86mm x 16.95mm x 14.04mm) |
| Standard Unit Price | $148 (Initial development and one time set-up fee not included) |
Ready to Discuss Your Needs?
Contact a member of our Enginerd® team to talk through your particular application needs and explore how RTConnect can be integrated into your product. Call 800-249-1612 or complete the form below.
Built for Today, Engineered for Tomorrow
The RTConnect product line is continuously evolving to include new protocols and features and other leading-edge industrial connectivity products and services. Keep up to date on all the new and exciting RTConnect solutions as they’re released by signing up to receive our product updates.


