Category: Beckhoff

EtherCAT as a fast I/O system

The Embedded PCs were developed with a view to optimized interaction with EtherCAT. Therefore, each CX2000 controller has an internal primary EtherCAT port that can be fed to the right to the I/O level and enables the use of EtherCAT I/O terminals, but can also automatically switch to the K-bus terminal system if necessary.

Both Ethernet ports of the basic CPU module can be used both for standard IT connections and as additional primary EtherCAT interfaces. In conjunction with EtherCAT and TwinCAT, it is possible to implement very fast control processes in the microsecond range (eXtreme Fast Control Technology).

Due to the separate Gigabit-Ethernet interfaces it is also possible to use EtherCAT with cable redundancy by using one of the Ethernet interfaces as a redundancy port. In addition, the devices can be operated with a secondary EtherCAT interface in the multi-option interface so that several intelligent controllers can be synchronized via an EtherCAT network.

The basic equipment of the CPU modules includes two independent Gbit-Ethernet interfaces, four USB 3.2 Gen. 2 ports, one DVI-D interface, and a multi-option interface that can be equipped ex factory with a flexible choice of further interfaces (e.g., serial port, fieldbus, or second video connection).

The entire CX2000 series is designed for modular expandability. A functional minimum configuration consists of a basic CPU module and a (CX2100-0xxx) power supply unit with an integrated I/O interface, to which the entire portfolio of K-bus terminals or EtherCAT Terminals can be directly connected. Further components from the CX2000 family can be connected via the multi-pin connectors on both sides of the basic CPU module. The individual system components are series-connectable modules with a width of 22 mm or a multiple of 22 mm.

For power supply components there is a choice between electrically isolated and unisolated power supply units, and various power categories (Watt). All power supply units feature an illuminated anti-glare LC display with two rows of 16 characters each for displaying status messages. The application programs can also use the display for displaying application-specific texts.

Powerful multi-core controller with AMD Ryzen™ V1000

The CX2033 and CX2043 Embedded PCs are DIN rail mountable controllers from the CX2000 family based on AMD Ryzen™ CPUs.

The CX2033 has an AMD Ryzen™ V1202B CPU with a clock speed of 2.3 GHz and two cores, while the CX2043 has an AMD Ryzen™ V1807B CPU with a clock speed of 3.35 GHz and four cores.

The main features of this CX20x3 series are:

• high multi-core CPU performance

• high 2D/3D graphic performance of the AMD GPU integrated in the CPU

• comfortable 8 GB RAM (expandable)

• outstanding real-time characteristics (low latency and jitter)

• modern 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems

• full support for TwinCAT 2 and TwinCAT 3

• mechanical and electronic compatibility with existing CX2000 modules and components

The CX5630 is an Embedded PC based on the AMD Ryzen™ R1505G processor with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz (dual-core) and 8 GB

DDR4-RAM. The basic equipment includes two independent, 1.0 Gbit-capable Ethernet interfaces as well as four USB 3.0 and one

DVI-D interface. A replaceable, industry-standard M.2 SSD (SATA) is used as the boot and storage medium, enabling even faster

read and write access and large-volume data handling. The M.2 SSD is easily accessible behind a flap to enable rapid hardware

replacement in case of service, even on site.

A wide range of additional connection options or gateway functions are available thanks to the optional interface and I/O level,

which can consist of either E-bus or K-bus terminals and can be fitted ex factory. In addition, a system module or fieldbus module

from the CX2000 series can be plugged in via the high-pole connection on the left-hand side of the device. Although the total

number of plug-in modules of the type CX2500-xxxx is limited to one with the CX5600 series, it is possible in this way, for example,

to implement two further Gbit Ethernet interfaces or four further USB interfaces or a further fieldbus interface. Furthermore, the

CX5630 is characterized by an internally electrically isolated power supply unit, built-in 1-second UPS, low power consumption and

fanless cooling.

The TwinCAT automation software turns the CX5630 system into a high-performance PLC and motion control system that can be

used with or without visualization. Both TwinCAT 2 in 32-bit mode and the latest TwinCAT 3 version in 64-bit mode are supported.

Continuing support for TwinCAT 2 guarantees investment protection for projects and systems that were or will be created with this

32-bit generation. The extended operating temperature range from -25°C to +60°C allows use in climatically demanding

applications.

The CX5620 is an Embedded PC based on the AMD Ryzen™ R1102G processor with a clock speed of 1.2 GHz (dual-core) and 4 GB

DDR4-RAM. The basic equipment includes two independent, 1.0 Gbit-capable Ethernet interfaces as well as four USB 3.0 and one

DVI-D interface. A replaceable, industry-standard M.2 SSD (SATA) is used as the boot and storage medium, enabling even faster

read and write access and large-volume data handling. The M.2 SSD is easily accessible behind a flap to enable rapid hardware

replacement in case of service, even on site.

A wide range of additional connection options or gateway functions are available thanks to the optional interface and I/O level,

which can consist of either E-bus or K-bus terminals and can be fitted ex factory. In addition, a system module or fieldbus module

from the CX2000 series can be plugged in via the high-pole connection on the left-hand side of the device. Although the total

number of plug-in modules of the type CX2500-xxxx is limited to one with the CX5600 series, it is possible in this way, for example,

to implement two further Gbit Ethernet interfaces or four further USB interfaces or a further fieldbus interface. Furthermore, the

CX5620 is characterized by an internally electrically isolated power supply unit, built-in 1-second UPS, low power consumption and

fanless cooling.

The TwinCAT automation software turns the CX5620 system into a high-performance PLC and motion control system that can be

used with or without visualization. Both TwinCAT 2 in 32-bit mode and the latest TwinCAT 3 version in 64-bit mode are supported.

Continuing support for TwinCAT 2 guarantees investment protection for projects and systems that were or will be created with this

32-bit generation. The extended operating temperature range from -25°C to +60°C allows use in climatically demanding

applications.

PLC, motion control, interpolation, and visualization

Multi-core CPUs in conjunction with TwinCAT 3 enable PLC projects to be distributed to several cores, resulting in significant performance gains. Likewise, all TwinCAT Motion Control functions can be used to the full: in addition to simple point-to-point movements, more complex multi-axis functions such as electronic gearing, cam plate and flying saw are possible. Interpolating 3D path movements and complex axis kinematics are also executable, however, the transition to more powerful devices from the CX2000 series must be checked in the individual case here.

With the CX5600 series, particular importance was also attached to the continuation of support for TwinCAT 2 (32 bit); an upgrade to the more modern TwinCAT 3 (64 bit) is however possible at any time with this device series. With both TwinCAT 2 and TwinCAT 3. the management in the TwinCAT real-time kernel ensures that sufficient time remains for the user interface (HMI) in addition to the control tasks run in real-time. The high performance of the graphics kernel integrated in the CPU enables demanding visualizations with advanced user interfaces to be realized.

The CX5600 series is also available as an Embedded PC without operating system and without TwinCAT. The extended operating temperature range from -25°C to +60°C enables use under climatically challenging conditions.

EtherCAT as a fast I/O system

The Embedded PCs were developed with a view to optimized interaction with EtherCAT. Therefore, each CX5600 controller has an internal primary EtherCAT port. This can be fed to the right to the I/O level in order to enable the use of EtherCAT I/O Terminals. If necessary, however, it can also switch automatically to the K-bus terminal system.

Both Ethernet ports of the CX5600 can be used both for standard IT connections and as additional EtherCAT master interfaces. In conjunction with EtherCAT and TwinCAT, it is possible to implement very fast control processes in the microsecond range (eXtreme Fast Control Technology).

Due to the separate 1.0 Gbit Ethernet interfaces it is also possible to use EtherCAT with cable redundancy by using one of the Ethernet interfaces as a redundancy port. In addition, the devices can be operated with a EtherCAT slave interface in the multi-option interface so that several intelligent controllers can be synchronized via an EtherCAT network.

The CX5600 series supplements the existing CX5100 devices with absolutely identical housing dimensions. What is new, however, is the expandability on the left-hand side by a module of the type CX2500-xxxx, with an additional space requirement of about 22 mm in width. This allows further PC interfaces (e.g. two additional 1 Gbit Ethernet ports) or fieldbus interfaces (e.g. for PROFIBUS, CANopen, etc.) to be added to the system.

The basic equipment of the CX5600 Embedded PCs includes two independent 1.0 Gbit Ethernet interfaces, four USB 3.0 ports, one DVI-D interface and a multi-option interface that can be flexibly equipped ex factory, for example with a serial port or a fieldbus connection.

The boot and storage medium is an interchangeable, industrially compatible M.2 SSD (SATA), whose slot is accessible behind a cover. The operating system as well as TwinCAT and user projects are stored on it. Fast hardware exchange is thus possible if service is required; a software update can be performed simply by replacing the M.2 SSD on site. The built-in capacitive 1-second UPS ensures secure backup of persistent application data on the M.2 SSD. The data and time are buffered by an exchangeable battery (button cell).

Compact, fanless multi-core controller with AMD Ryzen™ R1000

The DIN-rail mountable, fanless Embedded PCs of the CX5600 series are equipped with AMD Ryzen™ processors. As with all newer Embedded PCs, the entire range of K-bus or EtherCAT Terminals can be directly connected on the right-hand side.

The main features of this CX5600 device series are:

• CPUs of the AMD Ryzen™ series with two cores

• fanless cooling

• powerful M.2 SSD

• comfortable 4 or 8 GB RAM

• electrically isolated 24 V DC power supply unit, UPS OCT-capable

• built-in capacitive 1-second UPS for persistent data storage

• left-sided extension interface for a system module

The CX5340 is an embedded PC based on an x6425RE Intel Atom® processor

with 1.9 GHz (quad-core) and 8 GB LPDDR4 RAM. The basic equipment includes

two independent Gigabit-capable Ethernet interfaces as well as four USB 3.1 and

one DisplayPort interface. A wide range of additional connection options or

gateway functions are available thanks to the optional interface and I/O level,

which can consist of E-bus or K-bus terminals and can be fitted ex factory.

A system module or fieldbus module from the CX2000 series can be plugged in

via the multi-pole connection on the left-hand side of the device. Although the

total number of plug-in modules is limited to one, two additional Gigabit-Ethernet

interfaces or four additional USB interfaces or another fieldbus interface can also

be implemented in this way, for example. The CX5340 is characterized by an

internally electrically isolated power supply unit, built-in 1-second UPS, and low

overall power consumption and fanless cooling.

Depending on the installed TwinCAT runtime environment, the device can be used

for the implementation of PLC or PLC/motion control projects (with or without

visualization). Motion control applications with interpolating axis motions can also

be executed. The extended operating temperature range from -25…+60°C allows

use in climatically demanding applications.