Introduction, Protocols and Implementation

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.

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IXXAT’s FPGA based Industrial Ethernet Module (IEM) now integrates a high-capacity Switch-IP which enables customers to implement powerful and economic line topologies.

The IEM implements a cost efficient and flexible solution to adapt to various Industrial Ethernet technologies. The IEM is based on a powerful Altera Cyclone III FPGA which includes, besides an integrated 32-bit CPU, PHYs, magnetic modules and RJ45 jacks, the new 3-port switch IP for Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus-TCP.

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Conformance of the Industrial Ethernet Module (IEM) as part of the POWERLINK Starterkit now approved.

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.

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By Christian Schlegel, IXXAT Automation GmbH

Today, the industrial automation market for Ethernet-based communication is increasing in demand. As with classical field busses, several protocol standards are available for Industrial Ethernet, which have to be supported by device manufacturers. Since these different Ethernet standards vary in their hardware and software requirements, a specific protocol solution for their integration into a device is required.

Despite the efforts of IAONA to find a common solution for industrial communication over Ethernet, disparate protocols emerged that were sponsored and promoted by a number of classic field bus suppliers. Eleven concepts to achieve Ethernet relevant for industrial communication are currently standardized within IEC 61158. Similar to the so-called “field bus wars” in the eighties, in the end, some of the eleven Industrial Ethernet solutions will be accepted in the market.

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The Windows real-time extension »RealTime Suite« of the Berlin company Kithara Software enables with its new CAN module the development of automation solutions where a CAN communication in real-time is required. It focuses especially on users who need a time-critical handling of CAN messages, for instance machine builders and computer control companies.

In this areas a safe and timely equidistant data exchange is usually needed as well as a fast reaction on external events. Here, the standard Windows drivers delivered with CAN boards fail, because they are only usable from within the application context.

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IXXAT Automation GmbH, a leading supplier of products and services for the data communication in industrial and mobile systems, has announced the release of an IntervalZero RTX driver for one of its CAN boards, and said it will soon release RTX drivers for other CAN boards.
IXXAT’s communication solutions like CAN Boards, CANopen software and tools are used by companies worldwide in applications such as machine control, elevator technology, marine automation, commercial vehicles, military and medical technology.

The first RTX driver will be available for the intelligent CAN board iPC-I 320/PCI as this board is very interesting for hard real-time solutions. The next boards that will be supported are the high-end board series iPC-I XC16 and the USB-to-CAN.

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IXXAT Automation announces the port of its CAN driver software to TenAsys INtime RTOS for Windows.

TenAsys Corporation is a leading provider of real-time OS and virtualization software technology. The INtime software combines deterministic, hard real-time control with standard Windows operating systems without requiring additional hardware. Real-time and non-real-time applications run in separate virtual machines on a single computer, enabling cost-effective, reliable control that is easy to develop and maintain.

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