Powerlink Starter Kit
The fast introduction to the Powerlink world
The Powerlink Starter Kit is a complete set of devices for building a Powerlink network and enables a quick start with the Powerlink technology. It contains a Controlled Node (IEM for Powerlink with Phytec microcontroller module and base board) as well as a Managing Node PCI card and all necessary software packages and drivers for the implementation of a Powerlink system.
The purpose of the IXXAT Powerlink Starter Kit is to
- provide an easy way to explore the Powerlink technology, its performance and features
- set up a Powerlink reference network to perform tests with user specific Powerlink implementations
- provide a reference hardware/ software design that can be easily integrated into a customer device
Components and funtions of the Starter Kit
Base Board
The base board connects the microcontroller module and the Industrial Ethernet Module and provides also the power supply. The peripheral interfaces of the base board are an 8-bit digital input (DIP switches) and an 8-bit digital output (LEDs). The base board already comes with connectors for phyCORE-XC161, phyCORE-LPC2294 and eZdsp F2812 evaluation boards. Other CPUs can be connected via pin heads to the 16/32-bit memory bus or the SPI.Microcontroller Module
The Phytec microcontroller module phyCORE-XC161 is used to run the embedded CN application. The module provides an XC161 microcontroller, 256 kB Flash, 512 kB SRAM and a 4 kB EEPROM.
The host API required to access the Industrial Ethernet Module is included in the scope of supply in C-source code. The API provides all necessary functions for configuring and starting the Industrial Ethernet Module and also demonstrates, for example, creating objects in the object directory of the Industrial Ethernet Module.
Industrial Ethernet Module for Powerlink
The Industrial Ethernet Module offers the complete handling of the Powerlink protocol. The module is based on a single low cost Altera-FPGA, which can easily be integrated in automation devices alongside the existing application processor. Further Powerlink devices can be connected via the integrated 2-port hub.Using the starter kit, device vendors can already start their device implementation before availability of the actual target hardware based on various evaluation modules from Phytec (microcontroller) or Spectrum Digital (TI DSPs) using the Powerlink host API.
PL-IB 300/PCI - Powerlink PCI Card
The Powerlink PCI card provides the Managing Node functionality for the network. It is used by the PC-based control demo application. For implementing PC-based applications, the PCI card has a Windows driver API in C-source code.
In addition, a Windows-based control interface and a demo configuration for the Industrial Ethernet Module are included in the scope of supply.
Powerlink Analysis Tool
The analysis tool can be used to trace the Powerlink network traffic and to display the Powerlink specific frame contents in detail. To run the analysis tool, a separatestandard Ethernet interface is required.
Scope of supply
- Base board for the Industrial Ethernet Module and microcontroller module
- Power pack
- phyCORE XC161 module with circuit diagram and manual
- Industrial Ethernet Module with C-host API on CD, API manual
- PL-IB 300/PCI - Powerlink PCI card with driver for WIN2k/XP and demo program on CD
- Powerlink Analysis Software for Windows
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