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CLPA highlights growth of CC-Link IE development solutions

Two key CLPA partners, Hilscher and Texas Instruments (TI) have recently introduced technology that will help device makers take advantage of the CC-Link IE Ethernet options that are now available. This will add to the expanding range of compatible automation products such as PLCs, HMIs, inverters, servos and remote I/O etc.

The Hilscher solution is an extension of its industry standard netX platform which is already a market leader for open automation networking. The options available include chips and embedded modules that will make it easy for current Hilscher customers to add CC-Link IE or IEFB compatibility to existing products already using the netX platform. PC cards for both network types round out the picture, offering compatibility for industrial PC based systems.

Christof Hunger, product manager at Hilscher, commented, “Hilscher is a long-time partner of the CLPA and we have offered CC-Link fieldbus options for many years. However, with the rising demand for Ethernet based systems and the continuing growth of the CC-Link IE installed base, we knew it was time to offer our extensive global customer base the option to add CC-Link IE and IEFB to their products too. We expect these new products to become a successful part of our general offering with strong sales growth expected.”

In addition, TI offers a reference design to assist in the design of a CC-Link IE Field Basic master and slave based on its Sitara™ processor portfolio. Companies worldwide are using Sitara processors for embedded development in industrial automation applications. TI’s processors offer a variety of options for developing IEFB products. Since the processors are based on Arm® Cortex®-A cores, in addition to the multi-protocol PRU-ICSS engine, they can help handle control as well as networking tasks with minimum cost and complexity.

Ellen Kou, product manager at TI, commented, “Since the rise of Ethernet in the automation space, TI has sought to be a provider of leading-edge processors and industrial communication expertise to automation equipment manufacturers by leveraging the power and flexibility of our Sitara processor and complementary analogue portfolios and system insight. CC-Link IE Field Basic is an exciting networking protocol for the future of industrial automation and we are looking forward to working with the CLPA to increase its installed base across many different device types.”

The Hilscher and TI platforms sit alongside existing options from other long-time CLPA partners HMS, Mitsubishi Electric and Renesas, who also offer CC-Link IE and CC-Link development options.

John Browett, General Manager for the CLPA in Europe concluded, “CC-Link IE is the technology leader for industrial Ethernet and Industry 4.0 by virtue of its unique gigabit bandwidth. CC-Link IE Field Basic extends the core functionality of CC-Link IE to 100Mbit devices. We can see that the market is responding to the possibilities this represents by the continued double-digit growth in our global installed base, currently over 22 million devices.”

“It’s this market success that is driving industry leaders such as Hilscher and TI to join our existing partners to increase the range of options for companies looking to add this compatibility to their product lines. We plan to constantly increase this range of options for device makers who want to get on board with us and find the right solution for their needs.”

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About the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA)

The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) is an international organisation founded in 2000 dedicated to the technical development and promotion of the CC-Link family of open automation networks. The CLPA's key technology is CC-Link IE, the world's first and only open gigabit Ethernet for automation and an ideal solution for Industry 4.0 applications due to its unmatched bandwidth. Currently the CLPA has over 3,000 member companies worldwide, with more than 1,700 certified products available from over 300 manufacturers. CC-Link is the leading open industrial automation network technology in Asia and is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and the Americas.

Editor Contact

DMA Europa Ltd.: Carly Ellis
Tel: +44 (0)1562 751436 Fax: +44 (0)1562 748315
Web: www.dmaeuropa.com
Email: carly@dmaeuropa.com

Company Contact

CLPA-Europe : John Browett
Tel: +44 (0) 7768 338708 Fax: +49 (0) 2102 532 9740
Web: eu.cc-link.org
Email: john.browett@eu.cc-link.org

CC-Link IE Field Basic extends the core functionality of CC-Link IE to 100Mbit devices.

The Hilscher solution is an extension of their industry standard netX platform which is already a market leader for open automation networking.

TI offers a reference design to assist in the design of a CC-Link IE Field Basic master and slave based on its Sitara™ processor portfolio.