Create a Windows Modbus Master Program using Microsoft .NET

Name: Create a Windows Modbus Master Program using Microsoft .NET
Rating: 4.7 (284 reviews)

Create your own custom Windows Modbus Master and Basic Human Machine Interface (HMI) using Microsoft .NET programming

Highest Rated

Created byEmile Ackbarali

Last updated 5/2026

English

What you'll learn

Have an understanding of the Visual Studio 2017 Integrated Development Environment
Create a Windows Forms application
Write VB.NET program code to communicate with a Modbus Server via TCP/IP
Write VB.NET program code to communicate with a Modbus Slave via a Serial Connection
Display data values read via Modbus within the Windows Application
Design user input to allow a user to set data values in a Modbus Server/Slave via the Windows Application
Implement basic graphical objects in the Windows Application for display of data
Build a very basic but custom Human Machine Interface

Course content

9 sections • 29 lectures • 2h 0m total length

Introduction3:07
Accessing Attached Resources and Setting Optimal Video Resolution2:23

Downloading Modsim32 and Virtual Serial Port Kit3:33
Modsim32 is a Modbus slave simulation application. It will be used to provide data values that will be read by the Windows Modbus Master application.
Downloading the EasyModbusTCP .NET library3:18
This is a free .NET library which is used in the Modbus Master application and implements the Modbus protocol. It significantly reduces the amount of program code that has to be written.
Downloading Microsoft Visual Studio Community IDE4:25
Microsoft Visual Studio Community IDE is the software that will be used to develop the Windows Modbus Master application. It is completely FREE for individual use.

The Learning Strategy - Let's Jump In3:03
The learning strategy of the quick start section will be to build a very basic program first, get it working and then explain how it works.
Building our first Modbus Master Application - Part 13:15
Modsim32 is configured as a Modbus TCP/IP Server. The Modbus Master application will read data from Modsim32.
Building our first Modbus Master Application - Part 24:45
Visual Studio Community 2017 is briefly introduced and the first project is created and run!
Building our first Modbus Master Application - Part 34:04
Objects called Windows controls are placed on the main form in the application. Selected properties of the controls are then changed.
The Best Part - Running the Application!5:49
The code that runs the application is inserted and the completed application is run.

Understanding Properties, Methods and Events3:41
Windows forms programming involves the understanding of properties, methods and events. This lecture gives a basic and brief overview of the meaning of these terms and their usage.
Examining the Quick Start code - Part 17:01
A look at the code that creates the EasyModbus object and forms the initial connection to the server.
Examining the Quick Start code - Part 27:14
A look at the code that performs the actual read of the holding register and displays the value returned.

Adding the Timer object and setting it's Properties3:53
The Timer object is added to the form in the application. It's properties are then set so that the timer "ticks" every 3 seconds.
Adding code to the Timer Tick Event and Running the Application3:54
The appropriate code is then added to the Tick event handler and the application is run. Testing is done by changing the value of the target holding register in Modsim32.

Implementing the Read Input Register Command6:21
The Read Input Register Command is implemented in Code and tested.
Adding more Label Objects for Human Readability2:13
Two label objects are added to identify the holding as well as the input register values being read.
Implementing the Read Input Status Command7:07
The Read Input Status Command is implemented in Code and tested.
Implementing the Read Coil Status Command4:19
The Read Coil Status Command is implemented in Code and tested.
Removing the original Button Object2:05
Since the Timer object runs the reading of the Modbus data, there is no longer a need for the original Button that was used. It is therefore removed.
Implementing the Write Single Register Command7:13
The Write Single Register Command is implemented in Code and tested.
Implementing the Write Single Coil Command5:25
The Write Single Coil Command is implemented in Code and tested.

Setting up Virtual Serial Port and Modsim32 for Serial Communication3:57
Virtual Serial Port is started and configured. Modsim32 is then disconnected from the TCP/IP network and connected to COM5 created by Virtual Serial Port.
Modifying the Modbus Master for Serial Communication4:39
The Modbus Master is modified to communicate serially. It is connected to the COM4 port created by Virtual Serial Port. It is then run and tested using Modsim32.
Modifying the Code for Multiple Server / Slave Devices2:19

Requirements

Basic working knowledge of the Modbus RTU protocol.
Familiarity with the installation of software applications on the Windows OS platform
Elementary understanding of the "BASIC" programming language

Description

If you design and implement projects in the area of Process Automation or SCADA, you will know from your experience that "one size does not fit all" when it comes to data acquisition and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs). There is always some type of customization to be done. Always some feature that the standard HMI software does not offer.

And sometimes, using a very expensive HMI with all sorts of bells and whistles for a small project can just be overkill. There are times when you just need a very simple application that acquires a few data points from a Modbus network and displays them on a computer screen.

These are the reasons for this course!

I teach you how to use FREE TOOLS with some basic programming to create your own Modbus Master application and Human Machine Interface.

If you apply yourself in this course and execute all that I ask you to do, then at the end, you would have a finished Windows Modbus Application that you can customize to your heart's content!

This is the start of your journey into a whole new area of Process Automation / SCADA and one that is increasingly in very high demand!

Looking forward to seeing you on the inside!

Who this course is for:

Electrical Engineers
Electrical Technicians
Electrical Tech or Engineering Students
Process Control Technicians and Engineers
Process Automation Engineers
Programmers working in the Process Automation field

Create a Windows Modbus Master Program using Microsoft .NET

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Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 6min

Downloading the Software Applications3 lectures • 11min

Quick Start5 lectures • 21min

Explaining the "Quick Start" Application3 lectures • 18min

Implementing Polling in our Application using a Timer2 lectures • 8min

Expanding the Application with additional Modbus Read/Write Functions7 lectures • 35min

Modifying the Application for Serial Communication3 lectures • 11min

Creating a Release Version of the Application3 lectures • 10min

Bonus Section - How to Always get the Lowest Prices for my Courses1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

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