Protocol Stack for embedded solutions based on Real-time Operating Systems

IXXAT now offers an EtherCAT Master Stack, specially suited for the usage under real time operating systems on embedded platforms. At this, many conventional network interface cards are directly supported, so no special hardware is required for the Ethernet connection.

Already late last year, IXXAT extended its EtherCAT product portfolio by establishing a cooperation with acontis technologies GmbH, a leading technology provider in the area of EtherCAT. Besides the EtherCAT Master Stack from acontis, IXXAT also offers the adaptation to customer specific systems on a project base.

Fully implemented versions of the EtherCAT Master Stack are currently available for the operation systems Windows CE, VxWorks, RTX, On Time RTOS-32, QNX, CeWin, VxWin, Linux and Windows XP. The operation under Windows XP is intended for applications without special real-time demands. On request, the EtherCAT Master Stack is also offered as source code, which can be easily ported to other operating systems by using an abstraction layer.

Besides the primary process data transfer, including the XML based configuration, error detection and diagnosis, also feature packages are offered, e.g. for Ethernet over EtherCAT (EoE), File Access over EtherCAT (FoE), Hot Connect and Distributed Clocks.

The EtherCAT Master Stack is an ideal supplement for the Industrial Ethernet Module from IXXAT, enabling an easy implementation of EtherCAT based systems. At this, IXXAT also offers the Industrial Ethernet Module as design-in solution for the complete integration into the customer hardware.

For further information about the EtherCAT Master Stack please visit our webpage: www.ixxat.com/ethercat-master-stack_en.html.

IEEE 1588 is a network communication protocol that provides devices with the capability to synchronize their clocks over a packet based network.  This video introduces the fundamental concepts of IEEE 1588 including delay calculations, packet time stamping, and typical synchronization results.  Future videos will look deeper into these topics, providing a deeper understanding of IEEE 1588 and insight into implementation methods.

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This video demonstrates how OEMs can utilize IXXAT’s Industrial Ethernet Module (IEM) to support multiple Industrial Ethernet protocols with a single hardware platform. Via SPI or Parallel-Bus your device will interface to the IEM and have access to EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET RT, POWERLINK, SERCOS III and Modbus/TCP networks. You will see how a simple IO board can communicate with both an Ethernet/IP network and an Ethernet POWERLINK by simply swapping the EtherNet/IP configured IEM for a POWERLINK configured IEM. The firmware inside the application CPU can support all of these protocols at once, and allows the OEM to quickly reach end users within many different markets.

Click here for more information about the Industrial Ethernet Module. North American customers please call 603-471-0800 x101 (for other countries +49-751-56146-0)

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With the new one-day real-time Ethernet seminar IXXAT presents a topical theme and enables de-velopers and decision makers to get a quick overview of the important currently available pro-tocols as well as the specific features and char-acteristics at the implementation.

During the seminar, the protocols EtherNet/IP, Profinet RT & IRT, POWERLINK, EtherCAT, and SERCOS III are introduced. Besides functional criteria, e.g. the level of real-time capability, modeling of process and parameter data as well as data transmission functions, also implementa-tion options, extendability, flexibility and popularity are discussed.

All this criteria are important for selecting the right protocol for a specific application.
Furthermore, the fields of application as well as the strong and weak points of the protocols are introduced.

The seminar provides a comprehensive, quick and open-minded overview of the new industrial Ethernet fieldbus technologies in a compact for-mat.

Since more than 20 years, IXXAT offers seminars in the area of industrial and automotive data communication. The real-time Ethernet seminar, as well as further seminars e.g. for CAN, CANopen, EtherNet/IP and FlexRay, are offered as in-house seminar in English or German language in a customized version on request.

Seminar dates: March 25, 2010 and Sept. 22, 2010.

For further information about the new real-time Ethernet seminar please visit www.ixxat.com/seminars.

• EtherNet/IP Adapter Communication Driver (EIPA)
• EtherNet/IP Adapter Developers Kit (EADK)
• EtherNet/IP Scanner Communication Driver (EIPS)
• EtherNet/IP Scanner Developers Kit (ESDK)

IXXAT offers EtherCAT Master Stack from acontis technologies

The EtherCAT Master Stack AT-EM1000 from acontis technologies is designed and optimized to run on different embedded (real time) operating systems. Already existing implementations are available for Windows CE, VxWorks, On Time RTOS-32, QNX, Windows XP and others. Using the source code, the EtherCAT Master Stack can easily be ported to other embedded operating systems by the customer. IXXAT is offering this service on request.

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The seminar provides an overview about possibilities and procedures for the successful analysis of CAN bus systems. This includes analysis of the communication level, e.g. for CAN device or network software development, as well as testing on physical level, e.g. for design and commissioning of CAN networks.
In addition, procedures for systematic and successful troubleshooting and elimination of existing distortion and error sources are explained in detail and presented using practical examples.
The protocol independent approach makes the seminar also interesting for CANopen, DeviceNet and SAE J1939 users.

As supplement, IXXAT offers a CAN technology seminar, which can be booked in combination with the CAN network analysis seminar. This enables the participants to gain profound CAN basics and additional practical know-how for commissioning and analyzing in a fast and compact way.

In autumn the following seminars are offered:

- CAN seminar:  Oct. 20, 2009
- CAN network analysis seminar:  Oct. 21, 2009
- CANopen seminar:  Oct. 22.-23, 2009
- EtherNet/IP seminar:  Sept. 24.-25, 2009

These and further seminars are also offered as in-house seminars in German or English language.

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As one of the first devices, the IXXAT POWERLINK Starterkit Controlled Node (CN)
receives the official certificate of the EPSG POWERLINK Conformance Test. The Starterkit consists of an IXXAT Industrial Ethernet Module, a carrier board, a CPU module as well as a demo application. The IEM, as base hardware for different real-time Ethernet protocols, is based on the IXXAT POWERLINK stack, in the protocol variant for POWERLINK, and comes with an integrated Ethernet hub for the 2-port network connection.

The certificate ensures the conformity to the latest POWERLINK DS301 V1.1.0 specification. In addition, the Industrial Ethernet Module passes herewith the Multi-Vendor Test at the first attempt, which approves the interoperability with managing nodes of various vendors. The interoperability test shows again, that the guaranteed performance of the IXXAT IEM is a substantial characteristic of a POWERLINK module. Especially the very low response jitter below 250 ns as well as the guaranteed cycle time of minimal 400 µs enables the stable and error free operation of the Industrial Ethernet Module with almost every POWERLINK control unit.

The POWERLINK IEM is the optimal basis for an easy implementation of CN solutions, which also demonstrably works reliable in inhomogeneous systems. Due to the FPGA technology used, future enhancements, like POWERLINK High Availability (EPSG WDP 302-A) or Multi Poll-Response, can be made available to the customer without hardware modifications.

Besides POWERLINK, IXXAT supports the Industrial Ethernet Module also with firmware for PROFINET, EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP. SERCOS III and Modbus-TCP will follow soon. To change the used protocol, only the firmware including the FPGA IP has to be exchanged.

For an integration into customer devices the Industrial Ethernet Module can also be produced with customer specific form factors. Besides this, IXXAT also offers the design-in of the FPGA based Ethernet connection directly on the customer hardware. All variants are supported with appropriate services, like consultation, system design and development services.

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To enable the best possible integration of the protocol software into the customer application, various options for configuration and adaptation of the software are available. This includes e.g. the possibility to manage the Primary Table data either by the customer application or directly within the software stack.

Due to independent abstraction layers for the operating system and the TCP/IP software, the Modbus-TCP server protocol stack can be adapted easily and fast to various microprocessors or operating systems.

The software is delivered as source code with a product license. The demo application for Windows 2000/XP as well as the detailed user manual and example code enable a fast start of the development.

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The 1939 API is currently available for the programming languages C/C++ and Phyton. Support of the .NET framework is in preparation.

Based on the programming interface several applications can be implemented accessing one CAN interface including the capability to communicate with each other. This allows the simulation of entire SAE J1939 networks on one PC and is thereby ideally suited for test and commissioning of control devices.
The interpretation of the signals transmitted within the messages (Parameter Groups) is based on a message catalog with standard messages and can be extended by the definition of application specific messages, if required.

Further information about the SAE J1939 API is available on the IXXAT webpage www.ixxat.com