Communication 
  2.3 Modbus communication 
SIMOCODE pro - Communication 
Function Manual, 11/2018, A5E40508495002A/RS-AC/003 
97 
 
Modbus RTU telegram format 
The data exchange "Master → Slave" and/or the corresponding response "Slave → Master" 
begins with the slave address, followed by the function code. Following this, the data are 
transferred. The structure of the data field depends on the function code used. The CRC 
check is transmitted at the end of the frame. The response frame from the slave to the 
master contains the same slave address and the same function code. The data area is filled 
according to the requested data. 
 
●  Slave address: This address is used to address a defined slave on the bus. Standard 
address: 1 to 247 
●  Function code: Defines the slave function desired by the frame 
●  DATA = frame data: Function-code-dependent administration data and net data. When 
transferring the register data, the high byte is always transferred first, followed by the low 
byte, in accordance with the Modbus specification. 
●  CRC CHECK = frame checksum: The end of the frame is identified by the CRC-16 
checksum of two bytes in length,  
The end of frame is recognized when no transmission takes place during the time period 
required for the transmission of three and a half characters (3.5 times character delay time) 
(see Modbus Protocol Reference Guide). 
On recognition of an error in the request frame from the master (illegal register address, for 
example), the slave sets the highest value bit in the function code of the response frame 
(that is, the requested function code + 80h). This step is followed by transmission of a byte 
with the exception code that describes the cause of the error. 
For details: See Modbus RTU error codes (Page 109).