December 10, 2008 - Port provides a high-performance, cost-efficient and open solution which allows users to connect devices to POWERLINK networks. B&R adapted a POWERLINK stack to the architecture of STMicroelectronics' STR912FA microcontroller.

The microcontroller unit combines a 32 bit ARM9 CPU, 96 kB SRAM, flash storage capacity between 512 kB and 2.1 MB, an Ethernet controller and a real-time clock. The solution ensures response times below 5 µs. port’s stack and ST’s hardware allow users to implement a POWERLINK connec-tion for their devices which requires few components, with overall costs below those of an ASIC-based solution.

If the MCU is equipped with a larger flash memory, users can also implement a multi-protocol design, thus enabling connections to all software-based protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP or Profinet IO and RT. In order to adapt the solution for CANopen and DeviceNet networks, users merely need to connect a CAN transceiver. port supports manufacturers with further products which facilitate development, such as a design tool which enables the fast compilation of object dictionaries and output of EDS files, and a starter kit containing all components required to develop a prototype as well as sample applications and an analyzer which measures specific time values. The solution comes with a wide range of helpful tools: the JTAG-capable hardware, for example, ensures efficient debugging. Moreover, manufacturers are free to use the free-of-charge GNU compiler collection (GCC).