The openPOWERLINK independent POWERLINK protocol stack/library provides POWERLINK compliant communication, representing a so-called Soft-Node (SN). The SN is a Controlled Node (CN, Slave) not supporting the Real Time communication.
The POWERLINK standard uses for Real Time communication (200µs cycle time, low jitter, …) low latency hubs and special Auto-Reply MAC, which require a special hardware.
Although the STM32 Family has no such hardware – POWERLINK can be used as a Soft Node. Cycle Times in the range of 10 ms can be accomplished. Such Soft Node implementations may be suitable in networks taking advantage of the POWERLINK communication model but not running any hard Real Time. They cannot be employed in regular POWERLINK networks.
The POWERLINK stack is supported by a powerful DesignTool, creating and maintaining the complex and powerful object dictionary. The DesignTool creates the documentation and the XDD-file. It configures the POWERLINK Stack and creates the header files for the customer's application accordingly.
It is available as a POWERLINK SN only implementation or GOAL based.
The GOAL approach – a comprehensive development system that allows for creating Multi Protocol support in one single design. The GOAL includes an option to handle ASND data.
GOAL: Creating connectivity for Industrial Ethernet does not only consist from setting up a piece of Source Code – it is rather a product philosophy from Top to Bottom. POWERLINK can use the ASND slot to handle "regular" Ethernet data. These are fed into the TCP/IP stack inside GOAL. GOAL enables for easy handling Multi Protocol support in one single project.
And all of this inside an embedded platform, this results in a:
- highly optimized, performance tweaked MCU system prepared for several communication stacks in one project (GOAL)
- implemented TCP/IP
The POWERLINK solution offers a competitive bill of materials cost with an optimized power consumption for both the STM32 CPU and the peripherals.
Key features:
- POWERLINK protocol library
Supported Devices | STM32F |
Selected in MadeForSTM32 | V2 |
Software Function | Connect |
Middleware | TCP/IP |
Deliverable | Source |
License Type | Commercial with free trial version |
Site |
Note: The MadeForSTM32 label, in its V2 release, has been granted for of the product.
ST Products |
---|