1 Introduction
For the first time, B&R not only opened its corporate showcase to both machine tool equipment and process automation users, but also expanded its "Powerlink Day" to include displays of sensors, actuators, motors, and drive systems, as well as automation technologies such as bus couplers and input/output modules, all geared towards equipment manufacturers. Companies directly competing with B&R in some areas benefited significantly from this open automation technology, as B&R integrated Powerlink open-source real-time communication technology and the globally recognized OpenSafety, independent of fieldbus systems, into its products. This cost-effective and unrestricted product is compatible with most hardware devices, greatly simplifying users' complex automation system architectures.
In the past, establishing communication and coupling between different industrial Ethernet and fieldbus systems was not a simple task, often requiring substantial start-up capital, and most industrial Ethernet systems were proprietary. Manufacturers outside the industry, i.e., newcomers wanting to enter a particular fieldbus field, mostly had to purchase specific hardware products from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). They also had concerns about competition between component manufacturers and fieldbus manufacturers in certain areas. Powerlink software master, based on open-source real-time communication technology, allows users to easily and flexibly use any hardware and software platform, as shown in Figure 1.
2 Pure Software Solutions
As a powerful industrial Ethernet system with robust real-time communication capabilities, Powerlink open-source real-time communication technology is a purely software solution, requiring no semiconductor components from the user. This ensures its open-source nature and independence from bus design. However, to date, few manufacturers are involved with Powerlink interfaces, as many aspects remain to be clarified, especially regarding the integration of electronic products and...
When software product developers are not part of the main system integrators, B&R's open-source automation technology division has successfully provided the necessary technology for overall system users. They have brought development tools to market, enabling non-industry users to easily integrate Powerlink open-source real-time communication: control system manufacturers, and system manufacturers wanting to use CPUs as master stations to drive Powerlink, can easily integrate reliable technology into their control systems with the help of Powerlink Software Master. Based on open-source real-time communication technology, Powerlink Software Master allows users to easily and flexibly use any hardware and software platform (Figure 1). Using open-source technology also ensures freedom of choice of the underlying platform, allowing users to freely choose not only the required sensors but also the operating system. Through the openness of the license, there is no need to disclose the solutions being developed.
3 Degrees of freedom for master and slave manufacturing plants
B&R's software package provides a wide range of tools for the production of Powerlink slave components. This package includes software and hardware design documentation, test systems, evaluation templates, and training and technical support materials, ensuring that even those without extensive electronics expertise can quickly and reliably complete the electrical design of Powerlink slave devices. (The package is included.)
The reference design provided to users helps them bring their products to market in the shortest possible time. All necessary circuit connections and a simple programming interface are included in the development kit.
PowerlinkSlave also allows connection to any host microprocessor, such as ARM, x86, or digital signal processor (DSP), to form a serial four-wire SPI interface or an 8-bit or 16-bit parallel data bus.
Figure 2
For example, Figure 2 shows B&R's Powerlink Slave solution for Altera and Xilinx FPGAs. For simpler instruments, digital input/output interfaces can also be used as an alternative solution. This is because complex main control processors are unnecessary for simple data processing, allowing for fast, economical, and reliable implementation of Powerlink open-source real-time communication. The market response and reports surrounding B&R's products clearly demonstrate that ownership is a thing of the past. The future belongs to manufacturer-independent, open solutions, like Powerlink.
