Modbus (RS485) to the NB‑IoT

The RS485 to NB-IoT converter is designed for the efficient readings of any device with the RS485 communication, most commonly using the Modbus protocol—such as actuators, electricity meters and other measurement devices. It allows the integration of RS485 devices into an NB-IoT wireless network, facilitating the data collection and analysis at specified intervals.

The converter can be supplied with a power for the sensor or as a communication element without any external power. It is applicable in industrial automation, energy, agriculture or smart city projects.

How Does it Work?
NB-IoT connectivity – today, the  Narrowband IoT coverage is available almost everywhere, with a reach even in hard-to-access areas. Additionally, SIM cards can be obtained for as little as 1 EUR per year.
The antenna connector for the wM-Bus reception is designed to minimize losses, ensuring the highest possible reception sensitivity. As a result, we can cover up to 6 floors, depending on the type of building.
The internal NB-IoT antenna provides sufficient coverage and eliminates the need for two external antennas, preventing the possibility of them being swapped during the installation.
Thanks to the standard SMA connector, you can use a cable to extend the antenna from the hard-to-reach places.
A big battery designed  to last over 10 years with the daily readings from Monday to Friday.
Waterproof casing (IP67) for the outdoor installations – for example, even on the street lighting in the middle of a housing estate.
During the manufacturing, we insert your SIM card, connect the battery and upload your configuration. This way, you don't need to spend extra time on the device and it can go directly to the installation.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
How Does it Work?
NB-IoT connectivity – now offers coverage almost everywhere, reaching even into basements and SIM cards can be obtained for as little as 1 EUR per year.
The antenna connector is designed to minimize losses, ensuring the highest possible reception sensitivity. This allows you to use the device inside a heat exchange station while still maintaining a strong signal.
WAGO connector – the industry-standard terminal block for a quick and secure connections. It shortens the installation time and helps to eliminate mistakes caused by the insufficient wire tightening in the terminal block.
Thanks to the standard SMA connector, you can use a cable to extend the antenna from the hard-to-reach places.
For the installations without an electrical power supply, the converter is available in a battery-powered version, ensuring a long battery life even with the frequent data readings.
IP67 waterproof enclosure for the outdoor installations – ideal for the mounting on the wall of a heat exchange station.
Support for up to 16 connected devices, providing maximum installation flexibility and ensuring that you won't need to return for a second device if there's one more meter than expected.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
The converter, with a support for the M-Bus standard, is compatible with various meters from different manufacturers, ensuring the versatility and the easy integration.
Data filtering at the hardware level using the VIF and the DIF values for the efficient shortening of the M-Bus message. The message remains standardized and can be processed by any M-Bus parser.
For the demanding applications, a version with an external power is available, providing the continuous power supply to the M-Bus.
How Does it Work?
Data filtering at the hardware level using the VIF and the DIF values for efficient shortening of the M-Bus message. The message remains standardized and can be processed by any M-Bus parser.
The antenna connector is designed to minimize losses, ensuring the highest possible reception sensitivity. This allows you to use the device inside a heat exchange station while still maintaining a strong signal.
WAGO connector – the industry-standard terminal block for a quick and secure connections. It shortens the installation time and helps to eliminate mistakes caused by the insufficient wire tightening in the terminal block.
Thanks to the standard SMA connector, you can use a cable to extend the antenna from the hard-to-reach places.
Communication tested within the largest LoRaWAN networks in Europe as well as in the isolated systems.
For the installations without an electrical power supply, the converter is available in a battery-powered version, ensuring a long battery life even with the frequent data readings.
IP67 waterproof enclosure for the outdoor installations – ideal for the mounting on the wall of a heat exchange station.
Support for up to 16 connected devices, providing maximum installation flexibility and ensuring that you won't need to return for a second device if there's one more meter than expected.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
The converter, with a support for the M-Bus standard, is compatible with various meters from different manufacturers, ensuring the versatility and the easy integration.
For the demanding applications, a version with an external power supply is available, that enables the continuous M-Bus power supply.
How Does it Work?
The antenna connector is designed to minimize losses, ensuring the highest possible reception sensitivity. This allows you to use the device inside a heat exchange station while still maintaining a strong signal.
WAGO connector – the industry-standard terminal block for a quick and secure connections. It shortens the installation time and helps to eliminate mistakes caused by the insufficient wire tightening in the terminal block.
Thanks to the standard SMA connector, you can use a cable to extend the antenna from the hard-to-reach places.
Communication tested within the largest LoRaWAN networks in Europe as well as in the isolated systems.
For the installations without an electrical power supply, the converter is available in a battery-powered version, ensuring a long battery life even with the frequent data readings.
IP67 waterproof enclosure for the outdoor installations – ideal for the mounting on the wall of a heat exchange station.
The converter is compatible with  various protocols, including Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, IEC 62052 and DLMS.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
Support for up to 128 connected devices, providing the maximum flexibility during the installation and ensuring that you won’t need to return for a second device if there's one more meter than expected.
For the demanding applications, a version with an external power supply is available, allowing the continuous power supply to the sensors.
How Does it Work?
The antenna connector is designed to minimize losses, ensuring the highest possible reception sensitivity. This allows you to use the device inside a heat exchange station while still maintaining a strong signal.
WAGO connector – the industry-standard terminal block for a quick and secure connections. It shortens the installation time and helps to eliminate mistakes caused by the insufficient wire tightening in the terminal block.
Thanks to the standard SMA connector, you can use a cable to extend the antenna from the hard-to-reach places.
NB-IoT connectivity – now offers coverage almost everywhere, including the underground levels and SIM cards can be obtained for as little as 1 EUR per year.
For the installations without an electrical power supply, the converter is available in a battery-powered version, ensuring a long battery life even with the frequent data readings.
IP67 waterproof enclosure for the outdoor installations – ideal for the mounting on the wall of a heat exchange station.
The converter is compatible with  various protocols, including Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, IEC 62052 and DLMS.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
Support for up to 128 connected devices, providing the maximum flexibility during the installation and ensuring that you won’t need to return for a second device if there's one more meter than expected.
For the demanding applications, a version with an external power is available, allowing the continuous power supply to the external sensors.
How Does it Work?
The antenna connector is designed to minimize losses, ensuring the highest possible reception sensitivity. This allows you to use the device inside a heat exchange station while still maintaining a strong signal.
Support for up to 4 connected devices, providing the maximum flexibility during the installation. This ensures that you won’t need to return for an additional device if there’s one more meter than expected during the installation.
Thanks to the standard SMA connector, you can use a cable to extend the antenna from the hard-to-reach places.
Communication tested within the largest LoRaWAN networks in Europe as well as in the isolated systems.
Two-piece EUROCLAMP connector – an industry-standard two-piece terminal block for  quick and secure connections. The advantage of the two-piece terminal block is the ability to prepare the meter connections in advance and then simply attach the terminal block to the PCB.
A big battery with a lifespan of over 10 years, considering the frequency of readings.
IP67 waterproof enclosure for the outdoor installations – ideal for the mounting on the wall of a heat exchange station.
The converter, with its wide input tolerance, is compatible with various meters from different manufacturers, ensuring the versatility and an easy integration.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
Storing the historical readings and repeatedly sending them in each message to ensure the data recovery even if one or two messages are lost.
For the installations without an electrical power supply, the converter is available in a battery-powered version, ensuring long battery life even with the frequent data readings. For the demanding applications, a version with an external power is available.
How Does it Work?
NB-IoT connectivity – these days, it already has a coverage almost everywhere, with the ability to reach even  the basements.  SIM cards can be obtained for as little as 1 EUR per year.
Support for up to 4 connected devices, providing the maximum flexibility during the installation. This ensures that you won’t need to return for an additional device if there’s one more meter than expected during the installation.
Two-piece EUROCLAMP connector – an industry-standard two-piece terminal block for  quick and secure connections. The advantage of the two-piece terminal block is the ability to prepare the meter connections in advance and then simply attach the terminal block to the PCB.
The antenna connector is designed to minimize losses, ensuring the highest possible reception sensitivity.
The device can be used inside a heat exchange station and despite the high-temperature environment, it provides a stable signal. Thanks to the standard SMA connector, you can use a cable to extend the converter from the hard-to-reach places.
A large battery with a lifespan of over 10 years, taking into account the frequency of readings.
Waterproof enclosure (IP67) for the outdoor installations – ideal for mounting on the wall of a water meter shaft.
The converter, with its wide input tolerance, is compatible with various meters from different manufacturers, ensuring the versatility and an easy integration.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
Storing the historical readings and repeatedly sending them in each message to ensure the data recovery even if one or two messages are lost.
For the installations without an electrical power supply, the converter is available in a battery-powered version, ensuring long battery life even with the frequent data readings. For the demanding applications, a version with an external power is available.
How Does it Work?
An internal antenna for the ATEX certification compatibility and to accelerate the installation process.
A display on the device for the immediate viewing of the reading, time and the unique gas meter ID, configurable by the user.
A user-replaceable battery with a lifespan of over 10 years, considering the frequency of readings.
WAGO connector – the industry-standard terminal block for quick and secure connections. It shortens the installation time and helps to eliminate mistakes caused by the insufficient wire tightening in the terminal block.
NB-IoT connectivity – now has the coverage almost everywhere, reaching even to the basement levels and SIM cards can be obtained for as little as 1 EUR per year.
Interface for an optical head and configuration through the IEC 62056-21 interface – an industry standard used in the gas meters. This standard allows you to integrate the device directly into your configuration software.
Waterproof enclosure (IP67) for the outdoor installations.
Screws that won't fall out of the cover during installation make the assembly easier and ensure that the IP rating of the converter is not compromised.
Interface for the optical head and configuration via IEC 62056-21 interface - industry standard used in gas meters. This standard allows you to integrate the device directly into your configuration software.
Storage of the historical readings for up to 40 days with the option for the local or remote retrieval.
Why Choose the ACRIOS Systems Converters?
Cyber Resilience Act
We have a full control over each part of the code in our devices. The hardware we produce can be maintained even many years after installation.
Manufactured in the EU
Our converters are manufactured in the Czech Republic with Czech subcontractors. Each unit undergoes final testing while focusing on the functionality of individual communication interfaces and device power consumption.
Total Cost of Ownership
We pay close attention to the TCO - from using a coulomb counter to obtain an accurate battery life to the pre-configured units delivery with your settings.
Remote Configuration
Set the primary or the secondary addressing of meters over the LoRaWAN network, find out how many meters are connected or change the reading period directly from your system without the need for local configuration.
With an External Power Supply
We can supply the converter with an external power for a sensor or probe, ranging from 3 to 30 V DC - allowing you to connect the external probes, level measurement devices or weather stations.
Technical Support
Good technical documentation is the foundation of quick integration. On our Wiki, you'll find integration manuals, communication protocol descriptions and videos explaining the usage.
One Converter, Many Devices
We can read up to 96 connected devices with a single converter, giving you maximum flexibility during installation without the need to attach a converter to each meter, thus the reducing project costs.
We have a full control over each part of the code in our devices. The hardware we produce can be maintained even many years after installation.
Our converters are manufactured in the Czech Republic with Czech subcontractors. Each unit undergoes final testing while focusing on the functionality of individual communication interfaces and device power consumption.
We pay close attention to the TCO - from using a coulomb counter to obtain an accurate battery life to the pre-configured units delivery with your settings.
Set the primary or the secondary addressing of meters over the LoRaWAN network, find out how many meters are connected or change the reading period directly from your system without the need for local configuration.
We can supply the converter with an external power for a sensor or probe, ranging from 3 to 30 V DC - allowing you to connect the external probes, level measurement devices or weather stations.
Good technical documentation is the foundation of quick integration. On our Wiki, you'll find integration manuals, communication protocol descriptions and videos explaining the usage.
We can read up to 96 connected devices with a single converter, giving you maximum flexibility during installation without the need to attach a converter to each meter, thus the reducing project costs.
What Obstacles Might You Encounter?
If you have ever looked for a solution for the Modbus communication over an NB-IoT network—such as with various sensors, probes, electricity meters, or meter converters—you have likely encountered the following situations:
Possible Issues:
  • Lack of standardization of the Modbus protocol at the data level, that led to chaos in the received data from many elements and their parsing.
  • The need for a single device to support multiple protocols—Modbus, DLMS, IEC62052.
  • The necessity of a remote configuration of the converter due to the replacement of a meter or element.
  • The need to address the power supply for an external sensor for reading—such as an optical head for an electricity meter or an ultrasonic sensor.
  • Problematic communication between devices from different manufacturers.
  • Attempt to reconfigure the converter to communicate as a "slave" instead of a "master".
  • Integration of a proprietary protocol over the RS485 bus.
  • Extending the communication element or antenna outside the installation location dueto the interference or a poor signal.
Our Solution

We have resolved all of these issues. ACRIOS Systems converters can read meters with RS485 communication and protocols over this bus—Modbus (RTU, ASCII), DLMS, or IEC 62052, either directly or via an optical head. Our solution is suitable for small businesses as well as large district heating plants and the converters are designed to be integrated into the existing systems.

The antenna connectors of our converters are designed for minimal loss and maximum reception sensitivity, making them suitable for use even in the heat exchange stations. We use double D-Cell batteries that provide trouble-free operation for over 10 years and for demanding applications, an externally powered version is available.

Technical Specifications
  • Powering an external sensor or device is possible directly from the converter, ranging from 5 V DC to 24 V DC
  • Readings with intervals of up to 15 minutes
  • WAGO terminal block for a quick and secure installation
  • Battery-powered or externally powered versions available
  • Support for Modbus, IEC 62052 or DLMS protocols
  • NB-IoT (Narrow Band) communication with the possibility to use any NB-IoT SIM card
  • Default configuration with a device library Remote configuration capability over the NB-IoT network
  • User-replaceable battery in battery-powered versions
  • SMA standard antenna connector
  • Dimensions: 145 x 90 x 55 mm
  • Weight: 336 g with battery
  • IP Rating: IP67Transmitter
  • PowerSupply:D-Cell battery 19,000 mAh, 2x D-Cell batteries 38,000 mAh, or external power supply 85-305V AC
  • Supported Protocols: Modbus, IEC 62056, DLMS, and others upon consultation
  • Maximum Number of Devices: 128 UL
  • Features: Time synchronization over the MAC layer, local history of unsent frames, remote configuration of the library + wake-up intervals +what sensor from library to read out
  • NB-IoT: 3GPP rel. v.14
  • Sensor Power Supply: 5V DC - 24V DC*

Note: *Under order code “R12”

  • Honeywell ST3000 ABB 266 Modbus Pressure Transmitter
  • Kamstrup MULTICAL 602 Landis+Gyr Ultraheat T230 Diehl Sharky 775
  • Elster A1800 Itron Gallus 2000 Sensus Sonix 2000
  • ABB WaterMaster Siemens MAG8000 Kamstrup MULTICAL 21
  • Schneider Electric iEM3000 Socomec Diris A40 Carlo Gavazzi EM24
  • Comac Cal Flow 38
  • Comac Cal Flow 45
  • MaxBotix MB7589
  • Banner Engineering T30U
  • Pepperl+Fuchs UB500
  • E+E Elektronik EE210
  • Siemens Sitrans T
    • ACR-CV-101N-R-D / RS485 Modbus to NB-IoT, battery powered
    • ACR-CV-101N-R-D2* / RS485 Modbus to NB-IoT, 2xD-cell battery powered
    • ACR-CV-101N-R-EAC / RS485 Modbus to NB-IoT, externally powered
    • ACR-CV-101N-R12-D2* / RS485 Modbus to NB-IoT with a 5V - 24V DC AUX power supply, 2xD-cell battery powered
    • ACR-CV-101N-R12-EAC* / RS485 Modbus to NB-IoT with a 5V - 24V DC AUX power supply, externally powered

    *Under MOQ

  • 1x RS485 to NB-IoT converter
  • 1x Installation manual
  • 1x Battery (for battery powered units)
  • 1x NB-IoT antenna
  • Selected Projects
    I will be happy to discuss everything with you.
    Lukáš Smetana
    CSO
    Thank you for your inquiry. We will address it as soon as possible.
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    ACRIOS was instrumental in our success on a large-scale European deployment of the wM-Bus concentrators, helped to solve all of the technical challenges and deliver results within the set deadlines.

    Lukas Mickus, Project manager

    We successfully integrated the ACRIOS Data Concentrator into our smart metering project, seamlessly connecting hundreds of meters. The device’s performance and stability have been outstanding, even in challenging environments. The LoRaWAN protocol used by the concentrator ensures strong, reliable signal coverage, even in hard-to-reach areas. We highly recommend the ACRIOS Data Concentrator to anyone looking to enhance their smart metering infrastructure.

    Iván Martín Díez, Technical Project Manager

    ACRIOS’ reliable products for remote readings and innovative, fully customizable solutions perfectly complement our expertise in value-added distribution of IoT products and solutions. We are proud to collaborate with a company that shares our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

    Ivana Janković Šafarić, CEO