Industrial Networking
To achieve the real time, low latency and deterministic nature required for Automation applications, many industrial Ethernet protocols use specialized Ethernet Media Access Control (Ethernet MAC). This is achieved using hardware acceleration and special data packaging for high-speed encoding and decoding. As a result, users can choose either hardened ASICs or FPGAs for implementation. Xilinx FPGAs and Zynq-7000 AP SoCs have become ideal choices for industrial networking solutions as they provide upgrade flexibility and can support multiple protocols in one device. Furthermore several key protocols such as POWERLINK and Sercos III do not offer ASIC solutions, thus making FPGAs or Zynq-7000 devices the only viable solution. Some protocols are not offered in ASICs, such as Powerlink and Sercos III, making FPGAs the only viable solution.
Advantages of Xilinx FPGAs in Industrial Networking
- Support for legacy fieldbus and real-time networking protocols
- Integrating custom function with networking for BOM cost reduction
- Abundant IOs and logics to support multiple protocols translation
- High levels of integration for low latency performance
- Development boards and reference designs for shorter development time
- Long product life cycle and support
- Integration of safety functions with networking
Networking Protocols Supported by Xilinx
| Ethernet Protocols | Key Sponsors | Serial Fieldbus | What's Needed | Partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EtherCAT | Beckhoff | CANopen | Custom MAC + Stack | Beckhoff |
| Ethernet POWERLINK | B&R Automation | CANopen | Custom MAC + Stack | B&R, Avnet |
| Profinet RT | Siemens | Profibus | Ethernet MAC + Special Stack | Softing |
| SERCOS III | Bosch | SERCOS I/II | Specialized MAC + Stack | Automata |
| Ethernet/IP | Rockwell Automation | DeviceNet/ ControNet | Ethernet MAC + TCP/ IP Stack | PORT, Softing |
| MECHATROLINK III | Yaskawa | MECHATROLINK II | Custom MAC + Stack | Tokyo Electron Device |