Industrial computer platform has integrated TSN networking card

The KBox C-series is used for machine control or the visualisation and inspection of manufacturing processes. A live demo will be on display at the Kontron booth in hall1, booth 478. The starterkit will be commercially available in early April 2018.

The Kontron TSN starterkit's KBox C-102-2 features a high-performance 6th generation Intel CoreT i5 processor, and Linux operating system with real-time extension. It offers a maintenance-free design without any fans or batteries. This ensures a significantly prolonged lifespan and high system availability.

The KBox series' modular structure, based on the standardized COM Express technology, results in flexible, highly scaleable systems. The KBox C-102-2 also features two PCI slots, one with the pre-installed TSN networking card. With this card, the system provides four additional TSN switched Ethernet ports with 10/100/1000Mbit/s.

The Kontron TSN networking card includes an integrated switch for redundant networks with four gigabit Ethernet ports. It meets all specifications of IEEE 802.1, such as timing and time synchronisation, traffic scheduling, frame preemption, and stream reservation protocol.

Additional functionality can be integrated through software updates in the FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). With the standard PCI Express network card and the associated network- and switch drivers for Linux, industrial computers can be connected through redundant ring-, line-, daisy-chain-, or star-shaped TSN networks.

The TSN network card is especially suited for rough industrial environments and can be run in industrial temperature ranges from -40 to 85°.

The software tools include application examples to send TSN packets, as well as a network analyser application, which determines and displays them. In addition, the time synchronization via PTP IEEE 802.1AS can be evaluated by means of a simple software tool and a 1pps sync output.

The Kontron starterkit is the first marketable TSN extension solution for standard industrial PCs. As a hardware/software upgrade solution for existing PLCs, Box PCs, gateways and industrial servers, it offers easy entry into Time Sensitive Networking. In addition, it facilitates the easy integration of endpoint devices into a TSN network.

As part of the Kontron Security Solution, the starterkit's KBox C-102-2 supports the Kontron APPROTECT solution. Based on an integrated WIBU-Systems security chip and in tandem with a specifically developed software framework, it provides full IP and copy/reverse engineering protection.