Feature: Communications
Industrial Ethernet is an all-encompassing connectivity platform which is cheap, very robust and capable of supporting much higher data rates than its fieldbus counterparts
standards. Among its features are time- aware traffic-shaping capabilities, low- jitter time synchronisation and frame pre-emptying. The versatility of the PHY interface means there is support for serial Gbit media independent interface (SGMII), reduced Gbit media independent interface (RGMII), reduced media independent interface (RMII) and media-independent interface (MII) connections. Consequently, legacy equipment across a wide range of transmission speeds can be accommodated. The PHY also helps reduce the quantity of cable harnessing required in network installations; see Figure 2. Ethernet audio/video bridging
(AVB) capabilities have also been incorporated. Key uses for this device include programmable logic controllers and motion control systems. PCIe, I2
C,
SPI and an array of GPIOs facilitate its installation into network infrastructure. Enclosed in a P-LFBGA120 9mm x 9mm
It assures that quality of service (QoS) is maintained in relation to real-time data from the legacy equipment, with time synchronisation, traffic shaping and frame pre-emptying all carried out. We should also mention Intel’s I225
(Figure 3), a multi-Gbit Ethernet controller IC that supports 2.5Gbit/s Ethernet-based data transfer. Like the Toshiba device, it is fully compliant with 802.1Qbu, 802.1Qbv and 802.1AS, making it highly suited to inclusion in time-critical, deterministic applications. Ethernet auto-negotiator and flow- control functions are included, as well as timestamping. Mainly targeted at IIoT applications,
this IC has a PCI Express 3.1 host interface, configurable filtering, compact form factor, and several power-saving features.
Figure 1: The TC9562 bridging IC from Toshiba
package, the TC9562’s temperature range stretches from -40°C to 125°C, suitable for harsh industrial environments. Figure 2 shows how the TC9562
connects with older equipment within an industrial processing or manufacturing facility. By retrofitting TSN, the setup enables low latency data transfer. The device’s PCIe interface enables direct communication between the host processor and the TSN MAC.
Figure 3: The I225 multi-Gbit Ethernet controller
Network convergence Industrial Ethernet offers levels of speed and network convergence that industrial automation is beginning to need, and by adding TNS capabilities it will be possible for the vital low- latency levels to be included within such infrastructure. Using ICs like the ones discussed
Figure 2: Connection of legacy industrial equipment to a TSN network using a TC9562
here, the implementation of TSN will be simple to achieve – in completely new installations or interfacing with existing hardware.
www.electronicsworld.co.uk June 2021 35
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