Bringing your automation devices to the netX level

Today, it is common for many industrial automation devices to be integrated within communications networks. In addition to controlling processes, this allows the data they generate to be collected and shared with supervisory systems. In turn, actionable insights are generated, which can then be used to optimise the processes.

When developing new networked products or updating existing ones to offer more advanced capabilities, automation vendors may benefit from different levels of support to effectively incorporate industry-standard network technologies. Based on the expected product release date, production volume as well as the availability of engineers dedicated to product development, companies may prefer tools that offer a more flexible or more comprehensive approach.

Hilscher’s netX 90, netRAPID H90 and NXHX 90-JATG are specifically designed to accommodate the diverse needs that companies interested in offering CC-Link IE Field Basic compatibility may have, in terms of sophistication, cost, time-to-market and production volumes. Vendors can leverage the compact netX 90 SoC alone, without any accessory components from Hilscher, when interested in developing a highly customised solution. Alternatively, to streamline product development and optimise time-to-market, they can adopt the netRAPID H90 chip carrier, where the netX 90 is combined with a motherboard as a standard quad-flat package (QFP) component. As a result, this programming platform provides a fast and secure alternative to the in-house development of remote device interfaces.

Vendors can find additional support in the even more comprehensive NXHX 90-JTAG starter kit, a cost-effective system with extensive peripheral functions to combine support for the CC-Link IE Field Basic network and embedded device firmware. More precisely, the motherboard contains a universal hardware and an integrated debug interface, elements that product developers can program through Hilscher’s Eclipse-based netX Studio development environment.

Christof Hunger, Head of Product Management at Hilscher, comments: “Hilscher is committed to offering industrial automation product development specialists the most effective industrial Ethernet network controllers, modules and tools to help them deliver highly integrated solutions. With this in mind, we created the netX 90 SoC, chip carrier and starter kit to support a set-up of valuable network interfaces that align with our customers’ needs.”

Christoph Behler, Business Development Manager at the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) Europe, concludes: “Thanks to our large base of industrial automation partners within the CLPA, the development ecosystem for all our open network technologies is extremely broad and comprehensive. This means that it is highly likely that there is already a solution that is compatible with the platforms our partners are already using. This in turn removes technical barriers to entry. Vendors can leverage the tools that are best suited to offer the capabilities and level of performance required while meeting the specific timeframes and budget allocated for product development.

“The three solutions based on the netX 90 SoC offered by Hilscher represent some of the best examples of such opportunities for anyone interested in adding CC-Link IE Field Basic compatibility to their products. They represent a simple way for a company to expand their business into this market and so, further grow their sales and market share.