In 2007 CAN in Automation (CiA), the international users’ and manufacturers’ group governing the development of the CANopen specifications introduced a new XML based device description file format as CiA 311 – CANopen device description. CiA 311 is based on the ISO 15745-1:2003 specification which defines generic elements and rules for describing integration models and application interoperability profiles.
A new and more flexible device description format was required due to the numerous enhancements introduced in CANopen that were not covered by the original EDS format as specified in CiA 306. In addition to the general benefits of a XML based syntax, the CiA 311 format has the particular advantage of allowing for localized device description files, a feature becoming increasingly important with the global acceptance of CANopen.
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The current version 1.04.05 of the Powerlink stack from IXXAT Automation GmbH provides the following features:

• Node monitoring on Controlled Nodes (CNs) via object 0×1016

• Support of all priority levels on Managing Nodes (MNs) for the allocation of the asynchronous communication channel

• Support of all mandatory and many optional objects according to the Powerlink specification DS 1.0.0

• Modification of the Node ID at run-time via the object dictionary

• Tool for the stack configuration with GUI for scaling and generation of the IXXAT Powerlink software (especially static parameters and the object dictionary)

• Switching between MN and CN functionality at run-time by changing the Node ID

• Bug fixes and adaptations to increase the compatibility with implementations of other vendors

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Besides approved functions for physical wiring, cable, termination and line length tests as well as the operational tests including signal level, busload and display of message and error frames, CANcheck now offers additional functions for recording of measurement results as well as for verifying the plausibility of this results.

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The CANopen ConfigurationStudio 1.6 simplifies the configuration of PDO messages within the “Visual Object Linker” significantly. PDO configuration is performed by simple drag & drop operations, so even users without an in-depth knowledge of fundamental CANopen mechanisms can operate the tool.

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The new, multilingual technology pages provide an overview of the IXXAT product range in English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Swedish and Japanese language.

This enables visitors to get a brief description of the desired product in their mother language, with the possibility to switch to a detailed product description in English language.

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The CANopen protocol software from IXXAT, which has been available for many years and has proven itself in numerous applications, is now also available for the following target systems:

• Linux Kernel 2.6 with SocketCAN driver and GNU C development environment for Freescale MPC 5200B with internal MSCAN Rev 2.1 or x86 based PCs with passive IXXAT CAN interface modules (CANopenRT)

• Infineon XE16x with internal MultiCAN for Keil C166 V6

• STMicroelectronics STM32 (STM32F103) with internal bxCAN for Keil ARM (Real-View) µVision III and IAR Embedded Workbench

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The major advantages of the FPGA based implementation are the flexibility, the vendor independency, the reduced development time and due to this the low development costs.
Furthermore, the possibility of reconfiguration of the FPGA solution allows the implementation of various real-time Ethernet based protocols on the same hardware platform.

Besides the Powerlink functionality, the MN IP Core includes a standard Ethernet controller, an Ethernet hub and a PCI controller for the host communication.

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The hardware supports a temperature range between -20 °C and +70 °C, is based on a powerful ARM9 microcontroller and provides many interfaces for the connection to all important automotive bus systems. Available interfaces are among others: FlexRay, 4 x CAN, 2 x LIN and K-Line. In addition, further RS-232 interfaces for the connection of external peripheral devices are available, as well as digital and analog I/Os.
The chosen hardware architecture provides a high data throughput for all interfaces without claiming to much microcontroller computing time. Time stamps with an accuracy of 1 µs can be assigned to the messages on all automotive bus system interfaces. This also applies for the analog and digital I/Os.

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