POWERLINK   Starter Kit

What is POWERLINK at all? How does it work?
Couldn’t I try it?
Yes, you can!
We offer you a starter kit for a bargain price,
whose components can be re-used later on.

Ethernet POWERLINK

POWERLINK is a very flexible Real-Time-Communication protocol. It’s main advantage is, that devices, Controlled Nodes (CN, the slaves) and Managing Nodes (MN, the master) can be build using standard Ethernet components for 100Mbit/s Ethernet like PHY, Ethernet-MAC-Controller (EMAC), cables and other infrastructure components.

Using FPGAs provides further options to improve performance. Best real time behaviour short delays and short response times, are reached by the POWERLINK optimized Ethernet MAC controller. Also the second requirement for CNs, they should have a built in Hub in order to connect devices in a line network structure like in the conventional field busses is satisfied hassle-free using the same FPGA.

The great advantage of POWERLINK, it’s openness, is based on the ability to use standard network components and the availability of software and services for implementing it. Therefore port offers solutions for standard controller as well. Supported are 16 bit controllers, like the Freescale NE64 with integrated Ethernet PHY, and 32 bit controllers, like ARM based ST Microelectronics ST910/ST912 or the MicroBlace cpu on the XILINX FPGA. The POWERLINK starter kit can be used for these controllers as well.

The POWERLINK-Starterkit (PSK)

We want to show, that an implementation is not an impossible undertaking, assuming that the right tools and libraries will be used.

Since 2001 POWERLINK is used in products. By taking over the further development of EPSG we ensured the compatibility with the CANopen device profiles of CiA. This makes it especially easy for the users to handle these devices. Extremely easy and smart develops the integration of an POWERLINK interface for our customers already using the port CANopen protocol stack. Programming interface and tools are to a great extent the same, as far as it is technologically meaningful.

Often times its desired to get to know the protocols, devices and tools without huge investments. This is possible via port GmbH’s POWERLINK Starterkit (PSK).

Free of charge but nevertheless powerful software tools and original industrial hardware components are selected to assemble the starter kits.

The aim is providing an environment for the development of Controlled Nodes. With the target hardware of choice like a XILINX Spartan3E-500 FPGA, it’s possible to simulate process elements directly via control elements and give the output to LED’s. At the POWERLINK site the device behaves like a CiA 401 standardised IO-Device, which often can be found in the industrial field.

The PSK doesn’t only allow you to get to know the POWERLINK protocols but it also supports you when testing POWERLINK devices and networks.

Spartan3E	Freescale NE64	ST Microelectronics STR910

The PSK comprises of:

• target hardware for program development of a CN, e.g. XILINX Spartan3E-500 FPGA including development environment and examples

• POWERLINK Device Monitor (demo version) as POWERLINK Managing Node,

• a Windows based Ethernet analyser with POWERLINK Plug-In

• POWERLINK Hub and Ethernet cable

• optional the POWERLINK-REport (demo version) as powerful POWERLINK analyser

All software components are available on the enclosed Tool-CD.

In combination of the POWERLINK Device Monitor together with the POWERLINK Gateway a complete and powerful MN with network management and other communication options is made available. A fast access to POWERLINK is achieved via its comfortable diagnosis and control options and the intuitive interface.

The following picture shows the schematic diagramm of the starter kit.

In reality with using the Spartn 3E it looks like the following picture:

One laptop computer is used to control the MN, the other one for displaying the results of the analyser. Using this concept of an MN, it is not necessary to open a PC and plug-in a PCI board, just connect the Ethernet LAN cables.

The crucial one step ahead!

With the PSK you are the crucial one step ahead of your competition. By using the powerful POWERLINK software tools and the FPGA based target system you will learn the basics of POWERLINK within the shortest time possible.

The delivered version of the Windows Ethernet analyser already display raw ethernet frames interpreted in POWERLINK format. The analyser should be connected using a second laptop or a second network interface directly to the POWERLINK network via the POWERLINK hub.

Optional you can also use the analyser POWERLINK-REport wihich is direct developed for POWERLINK. For using the POWERLINK-REport you need an additional POWERLINK gateway with the analyser software. We deliver such a gateway in connection with an order for "PSK" at a preferential price of 400,00 €.

It’s hard going through the standards for the true meaning of the bits of a POWERLINK-frames in detail. But with the informative presentation of the messages you have the chance to recognize fundamentals quickly and to reach the results unerring and in a short time of period.

Further current information about our POWERLINK and our products are available on our web site: www.epl-tools.com and the web sites of EPSG www.ethernet-powerlink.org
You can already get comprehensive information about our software tools of the PSK in advance and before using the PSK on the following web site: www.epl-tools.com You can download, install and check the demo versions of these tools or you only study the detalied user manuals.

As a matter of course we are at your’s disposal to organize a consultation on POWERLINK implementation and we also provide continuing trainings and in-house seminars.

The PSK-Spartan3E is available for a price of only 1.099,00 € (the price is 1.499,00 € if you also order the option POWERLINK analyser for the PSK-Spartan3E) You can ask at port for the prices of other CN target platforms.

Ordering Information

Scope of Delivery

We deliver the POWERLINK-tools on CD. All software from port and the user manuals as pdf-file are available on this CD. The demo versions of our software tools are activated for a full version at any time if you order a licence. You get with our PSK StarterKit all components for start-up implementing a POWERLINK network.

Certainly you can also use for all the components of the port PSK to a later time in your real application

Use it for a flying start!

Start your successful POWERLINK project development immediately with this kit.
Together with the EPSG we can offer extensive consulting service.