ETHERNET Powerlink Module

FPGA-based solution for the cost-effective und universal connection to real-time Ethernet systems

The EPL module represents a powerful solution for the implementation of ETHERNET Powerlink in devices such as drives, I/O modules or encoders. For connection to the application CPU, a serial port or a shared memory interface is available. The memory required for the data exchange is already on the EPL module, so that the interface of the application CPU only has to be connected to the EPL module.

Device vendors can integrate the hardware design instead of the add-on module directly in their own circuit. For an easy integration of the EPL module into an EPL network, the EPL module comes with an integrated, two port hub with two RJ45 sockets.

A Host-API is supplied together with the EPL module, which allows the EPL module to be controlled via its interface (ANSI-C Code). With the aid of the API, for example, new user objects can be generated in the object directory, SDO accesses to other network nodes can be carried out, or, the local object directory can be configured. It is also possible to store configuration data on the EPL module via the functions of the API.

Process data is exchanged between application CPU and the EPL module via separate storage areas for input and output data. The application has 1.5 kBytes for process data in each direction.

A baseboard is available as a supplement to the EPL module. This provides the power supply necessary for the evaluation of the EPL module as well as various bus connections. With the baseboard it is possible to connect processor modules of Phytec (phyCORE-XC161, phyCORE-LPC2294) or Spectrum Digital (eZdsp F2812) to the EPL module via the integrated plugboards.

• Hardware-based ”single chip” solution for EPL Controlled Nodes
• Reference design for Altera-FPGA with Ethernet Controller, HUB and CPU (NIOS II)
• Fast poll response times (<=2µs)
• EPL protocol stack in accordance with the ETHERNET Powerlink specification V2 runs completely on the EPL module
• Simpler applications can be implemented directly on the EPL module
• Host connection via shared memory interface or serial port
• Host API with demo application
• Syncronization of the application CPU on EPL-SoC message via separat interrupt line possible
• Integrated 2-port hub with RJ45 connectors 
• Node-ID setting via DIP-switch or software

Content of delivery

• EPL module with integrated EPL protocol stack
• Host API in C-source code with programming example
• Manual

Additional products

• Baseboard for the EPL module

Further information
The technical details and features of the EPL module are subject to change. The latest information can be found on the webpage.