(openPR) - Powerlink with redundant Managing Nodes according to the specification V 1.1.0 and WDS 302-A

A major safety feature for industrial communication is the continuous system availability, even if failures in essential components occur, e.g. in the communication master or in network connections (cables). To ensure a high system availability, the availability of the controller as well as of the network must be guaranteed.

For this reason, a highly available controller solution was considered for Powerlink at a very early stage, and was now specified in EPSG WDP 302 A and implemented by IXXAT.

Besides the primary Managing Node (MN), several redundant master devices can be operated in one network, which act like Controlled Nodes (CN).
The MN transmits cyclic messages to the CNs, to ensure the reliable detection of a controller outage within one communication cycle. In that case, one of the redundant masters is activated by using a priority algorithm and immediately continues the tasks of the broken MN.
The redundancy procedure is transparent for CN devices, so existing CNs can be used in highly available networks without adaptations.

A network redundancy is archived by using two independent network cables. All messages are transmitted on both lines in parallel to enable the message reception by the network nodes even with one broken cable.

The new version of the IXXAT Powerlink protocol software is implemented according to the Powerlink specification V 1.1.0 and is available as source code and as IP core for the development of highly performing Managing and Controlled Nodes based on a FPGA. The software is also implemented on the Industrial Ethernet Module from IXXAT. The extension package for the development of redundant managing nodes is optional available.

Due to the long-term experience in the area of Powerlink and due to the extensive collaboration within the technical working groups of the EPSG, IXXAT is the ideal development partner and supplier of components for Powerlink.

IXXAT Automation GmbH is a leading supplier of data communication systems for industrial automation and automotive applications. The main technologies in the field of industrial communication systems are solutions based on CAN (CANopen, DeviceNet), Ethernet (ETHERNET Powerlink, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, EtherCAT) as well as TCP/IP with the associated Internet protocols. For automotive applications, IXXAT focuses on solutions based on CAN (diagnosis protocols, SAE J1939), FlexRay and LIN. The product range comprises interface boards, test systems, analyzing tools and protocol software.

As of December 2008, IXXAT provides work for 75 employees, predominantly engineers skilled in electronic engineering and computer science and has a certified quality assurance management according to ISO9001.
Our customers are well-known companies all over the world from the industrial and automotive sectors.

IXXAT supports its customers completely in the establishment and application of communication systems based on CAN and TCP/IP, from seminars and consulting, design of system solutions, development and implementation of hardware and software to the supply of a complete product line. Furthermore IXXAT is able to perform safety relevant hardware and software development according to IEC61508.

IXXAT Automation GmbH
Leibnizstr. 15
D-88250 Weingarten
Tel.: +49-(0)7 51 / 5 61 46-0
Fax: +49-(0)7 51 / 5 61 46-29
E-mail: info@ixxat.de
Internet: www.ixxat.de