BECKHOFF Automation introduces the new CX8030 and CX8050 embedded PCs, extending its CX8000 series of ultra compact PC-based controllers with PROFIBUS and CANopen masters.
Designed for flexibility, the new devices represent inexpensive, space-saving solutions for universal use in control applications that require fieldbus master functionality.
The fieldbus master functionality could earlier be implemented with a CX8000 series embedded PC featuring an integrated fieldbus slave in combination with an additional EtherCAT master terminal. With the introduction of the new CX8030 and CX8050 PCs, this function is now available for PROFIBUS or CANopen, already integrated directly in compact embedded PCs.
The CX8030 and CX8050 embedded PCs can connect any fieldbus slave from valve terminals to drives in small to medium-sized machine applications. In addition to being used as gateways between EtherCAT slave devices as well as devices with a conventional slave interface such as PROFIBUS or CAN, it is also ideal for coupling of machine controllers to a higher-level Ethernet infrastructure.
Key features of CX8030 embedded PC include PROFIBUS master’s support for normal data exchange and DPV1 communication; master interface configurable as a slave interface if necessary; and simple PROFIBUS monitor available in the TwinCAT System Manager for diagnostic purposes.
The CX8050 embedded PC has the ability to operate as a CANopen master and also as a simple CAN master, enabling all commonly used CAN applications and CAN devices to be addressed and networked with the CX8050. A simple CAN monitor is available for diagnostics.
Technical properties
The embedded PCs measure just 65 x 100 x 80 mm and feature Windows CE 6.0 operating system, a 400 MHz ARM9 CPU, 64 MB RAM and 256 MB MicroSD card extendable to 4 GB; and Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s interface and USB interface. PROFIBUS interface on the CX8030 is a 9-pin D-Sub plug with screening, while the CANopen bus interface on the CX8050 is a 9-pin D-Sub plug conforming to the CANopen specification with galvanic decoupling.