Improvements:
Reduction of delays during message transmission in bridge mode as well as hiding of CANblue II devices during bridge operation by disabling the automatic Bluetooth device search in  SHORTEST_LATENCY mode.

[ Firmware download... ]

The EtherCAT Master functionality is provided using the proven protocol software from acontis for EtherCAT Master Class A and B devices. A specially optimized link layer allows the IXXEC-100 to operate with cycle times of less than 1 ms.
The selected EtherCAT Master implementation, as well as the included drivers and the Linux operating system, enable the fast implementation of customized EtherCAT applications and rapid adoption of existing applications to the compact and powerful IXXEC-100. In addition, the available EtherCAT Master “feature packs” are supported, including hot connect and ring redundancy.

During the development of the IXXEC-100 special attention was paid to the requirements of the various fields of application. Thus, the unit has, despite of its fanless design, an extended temperature range from -40 ° C to + 70 ° C, and enough power and interfaces to become the optimal solution for various applications.
The basic version of the device has four Ethernet interfaces, two CAN interfaces and two USB ports. Customer specific interfaces or functional enhancements (e.g. digital and analog I/Os, DVI output) can be implemented quickly and easily using expansion slots or the implemented FPGA.

IXXEC-100 uses a dual core Cortex A9 CPU. The internal RAM memory has a standard size of 256 MB and can be extended up to 1 GB. Operating system and programs are stored in flash memory on a SD card.

The IXXEC-100 provides a remarkably high degree of flexibility by using a unique combination of interfaces, FPGA, software and services. This makes the IXXEC-100 an ideal platform for application-optimized and customer specific solutions. For this purpose, IXXAT offers a comprehensive Linux board support package enabling the quick and easy implementation of custom software solutions on the IXXEC-100 (e.g. gateways).
Besides the version within the robust metal housing, IXXAT offers the IXXEC-100 also as board-level product for space-saving integration into already existing customer applications.
On request, IXXAT can perform adaptations and application implementations for a fast and economy-priced solution.

In addition to the EtherCAT Master solution, IXXAT will soon also offer a CANopen master solution based on the IXXEC-100.

“Together IXXAT and HMS will become an industrial communication group with 350 employees and sales of more than 50 million Euro – a world market leader in our industry“, says Staffan Dahlström, CEO of HMS Industrial Networks AB.

[Read the press release...]

The new FRC-EP190 now expands the portfolio with a platform with even higher performance, a wider range of interfaces and removable mass storage. In addition, the FRC-EP190 is easily extendable and customizable, and available for an extremely attractive price.

The new FRC-EP190 now has seven times the processing power of its predecessor resulting, not at least, in much shorter start-up times (less than 4 seconds from power-on, less than 400 ms from standby).
In addition to FlexRay, CAN, LIN and K-Line, analog/digital IOs and RS232 are available. The Ethernet configuration interface is supplemented by a USB interface.
Additional interfaces can be upgraded through internal expansion slots. Thus, besides additional FlexRay and CAN interfaces also EtherCAT, WLAN, Bluetooth and GSM/GPS interfaces can be implemented.
The included SD card slot allows for configuration updates even without an attached PC as well as use as a multi-bus data logger for large amounts of data.

All software solutions available for the FRC-EP150, e.g. residual bus simulation and gateway, are now also available in an extended version for the new FRC-EP190. Existing projects can be easily ported to the new device using the tools included in the scope of delivery.

By providing further interesting software applications, IXXAT plans to extend the application areas of the new device even further. FlexRay/FlexRay gateways for different schedules and EtherCAT slave functionality for the direct connection of the FRC-EP190 to EtherCAT-based test benches are just some of the planned new solutions.
Custom extensions of the hardware and software can be easily and quickly performed by the customer or by IXXAT.

[read more...]

IXXAT Automation is pleased to announce the immediate availability of version 6.1 of the CANopen Master API. In addition to previously supported CAN interfaces, CANopen Master API 6.1 now works with the new FPGA based CAN-IB200/PCIe active CAN interface.
With the CANopen Master API, IXXAT offers a proven solution for a quick and easy development of PC based CANopen® control, test and service applications under Microsoft Windows.
The new CANopen Master API may operate up to 12 CAN interfaces in parallel and, depending on the hardware in use, up to 4 CAN channels per interface board. Depending on hardware support, high-speed CAN channels may be configured by software to operate in low-speed mode.
In particular with the CAN-IB200/PCIe CANopen Master API 6.1 stands out with an increased precision of time triggered synchronous protocols.
CANopen Master API V6.1 includes support for the latest CiA® specifications CiA 301 (CANopen application layer and communication profile) version 4.2 and CiA 305 (CANopen layer setting services (LSS) and protocols) version 2.2. CANopen Master API 6.1 is supported under 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

With its new PROFINET-CANopen gateway “COP-CON 220/PN”, IXXAT offers a powerful and easily configurable gateway solution for connecting CANopen devices and networks to PROFINET systems.
The gateway enables bi-directional data exchange allowing for both the integration of existing, low-cost CANopen devices into PROFINET systems as well as the provision of data from PROFINET for use in CANopen. At this, the gateway operates as a PROFINET I/O device and uses slots and sub-slots for data exchange. On the CANopen side, the device acts as a CANopen NMT master with PDO and SDO support.

The gateway configuration is accomplished easily by using the IXXAT configuration tool which is included free of charge. Using EDS files, the configuration of the CANopen devices as well as establishing communication links is quick and intuitive. In addition to the configuration file necessary for the CANopen side (CDC file), the tool also automatically generates a GSDML file. The GSDML file allows for simple gateway integration into PROFINET networks and the access of PLC applications to the gateway.
At this, the gateway is represented as a single I/O device. All data on the CANopen side which is exchanged through the gateway with the PROFINET network are defined in the GSDML file as variables with variable name, data size and data direction. This unprecedented dual side approach simplifies the configuration significantly.

The PROFINET-CANopen gateway features a powerful 32-bit microcontroller, which enables the processing of large amounts of data. DIN rail housing, a temperature range of -40 ° C to +85 ° C and a wide supply voltage range of 9-32 V allow for easy integration into existing systems. The device and communication status is indicated by LEDs.
The gateway has an integrated 2-port switch, thus allowing easy integration into line topologies. The connection to the CANopen bus and the power supply is made using screw terminals. Device configuration and firmware upgrades can be made via a USB 2.0 port.

Further variants of the gateway for other industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherCAT, are already being planned and will be available soon.

The new EtherCAT I/O Module “ETCio 100″ from IXXAT enables the quick and easy connection of analog and digital input and output signals to EtherCAT systems – whether in component test stands, mobile applications or for industrial automation applications.
The device has two analog inputs and four analog outputs with a 12-bit resolution. The analog output voltage range can be individually programmed between 0 to +10 V.
In addition, the device has six digital inputs and four digital outputs. The output voltage range can be freely selected within a wide range with the switching threshold of the inputs automatically adjusting according to the selected voltage range. The outputs are short circuit protected.

The configuration of the module is made by the EtherCAT master device by writing EtherCAT objects.

Like the other devices of the IXXAT I/O module series with their wide input voltage range from 6 V to 32 V, robust aluminum housing and operating temperature range of -40 ° C to +70 °C, they are ideally suited for integration into existing systems and for usage in mobile and industrial applications.

Along with the aluminum housing model, IXXAT offers the “ETCio 100” also as an embedded board version which can be easily integrated in customer specific devices. Customized versions with custom I/O interfaces, individual form factors or connectors can be developed by IXXAT in a short time and at reasonable prices.

For further information about the ETCio 100 please visit www.ixxat.com

The IEEE 1588 protocol software from IXXAT enables networking devices with accurate and reliable time synchronization for automation, automotive, measurement and telecommunication applications. Depending on the microcontroller system and the type of network employed, IXXAT’s IEEE 1588-2008 PTP software is able to attain time synchronization accuracy in the nanosecond range.

The new version 1.05 now supports the basic requirements of the ITU-T G.8265.1 telecom specification for “Packet Timing Signal Fail Mechanism”, “Multi Clock” and “One Way” mode making it an optimal solution for use in telecom applications.

Among the new features of the new version are the ability to re-configure the unicast/multicast mode for the devices during operation, and to support alternative BMCAs (Best Master Clock Algorithm) and custom servo functions. Moreover, the path-asymmetry of the network can be individually configured
for each Ethernet port to allow individual synchronization corrections.

A new PDV filter provides higher synchronization accuracy in legacy networks that employ older switches having no 1588 support. Furthermore, the IEEE 1588 protocol software is available as C source code and can be implemented on any platform. Due to its broad functional range, continuous development and wide distribution, the IXXAT IEEE 1588 protocol software can be considered as the leading 1588 reference implementation. In addition to the IEEE 1588 protocol software, IXXAT also offers protocol implementation as well as hardware and software development services.

For more information about the IEEE 1588 products from IXXAT see www.ixxat.com/ieee1588

IEEE 1588 is a standard to synchronize the clocks of distributed devices in a network. Current protocol versions are based on the specification IEEE 1588-2008, also called 1588 V2. Depending on the hardware and topology used, accuracy down to a two-digit nanosecond range can be achieved. With an increasing number of devices providing hardware support for IEEE 1588, also the number of applications grows…

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