CP1626: New communication processor with Profinet technology for PCIe modules

High performance, low cost

Siemens is extending its portfolio for PC modules with Profinet to include communication processor CP 1626, enabling the company to now offer a variant for systems with PCI express slots. The new processor permits the efficient connection of field devices to Industrial Ethernet over Profinet. It also supports the Profinet realtime feature IRT (Isochronous Real-Time), Profinet IO Controller and Profinet IO Device functionality, making it particularly suitable for time-critical motion control applications such as robot controls which need to be isochronous. With its new CP 1626 communication processor, Siemens is extending its PC module family for Profinet to include a variant for systems with PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) express slots. PCI express is a bus standard for the connection of I/Os to a main processor’s chipset. The communication processor is used to connect field devices to Industrial Ethernet over Profinet, and supports both Profinet IO Controller and Profinet IO Device functionality. The integrated dual-port network switches enable low-cost system solutions. It is also possible to generate different topologies, such as linear or ring structures, with MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol). This prevents system downtime in the event of interrupted communication in one section of the ring installation. The CP 1626 processor enables the efficient support of control tasks at the PC – such as PC-based control, numerical control and robot control. The processor additionally supplements the Profinet real-time feature IRT, which allows clock-synchronized data exchange between devices. This facility makes it highly suited for time-critical applications such as robot controls, which require strict clock-synchronized regulation in motion control applications. The CP 1626 can also use ProfiEnergy to implement different energy saving statuses during idle periods. Two integrated independent Profinet interfaces in a single module allow network separation between the IO-Controller and the IO-Device subnet. This simplifies connection to higher-level networks, particularly when working with standard machines. If controller and device operation take place simultaneously, the IRT mode is only possible for one of the two. Using the DK-HN PN IO development kit, the module can also be integrated into any optional operating systems.