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CC-Link IE Extends 1Gb Ethernet to Field Devices

Jan. 20, 2010
Network Claims to Offer Manufacturers Improved Data Flow, Easier Implementation and Lowest Total Cost of Ownership

The CC-Link Partner Assn. (CLPA) announced the release of CC-Link IE Field Network, an open 1Gb industrial Ethernet field network that, because of its speed and flexibility, claims to offer manufacturers improved data flow, easier implementation, and lowest total cost of ownership as compared to older and slower Industrial Ethernet solutions. In addition, automation equipment manufacturers can incorporate CC-Link IE compatibility easily into their products.

CC-Link IE Field Network, which is based on the IEEE 802.3 standard, aims to provide the ultrahigh-speed data acquisition backbone for manufacturing process improvement, process and part traceability, equipment control and monitoring, and failure detection.

CC-Link IE Field Network benefits operations by simultaneously transmitting control data, log data, and diagnostic data at high speed. Features of the new CC-Link IE Field Network are said to include: Ultrahigh speed and one gigabit-per-second transmission, and real-time protocol enables control of remote I/O field devices with essentially no transmission delay. This transmission rate is at least ten times faster than currently available industrial Ethernet-based networks. The new network uses commercially available Cat5E cable and RJ45 connectors

Inherent Determinism Without Ethernet Switches

A significant difference between CC-Link IE Field Network and other industrial Ethernet solutions is that CC-Link IE Field Network delivers deterministic control communications without requiring the addition of Ethernet switches. This feature eliminates the hardware costs and engineering implementation costs of those switches. Also, the cost and need for developing communication statements to govern the flow of data is eliminated due to the shared memory concept of CC-Link IE Field, and no knowledge of CC-Link IE protocol is required. Determinism is guaranteed by the CC-Link IE token-passing technique.

Flexible Topology

A CC-Link IE Field Network allows for a topology best suited to the needs of the particular application - thus ensuring greatest flexibility. These topologies include star, line, mixed star and line, and ring. Within a single network, there can be a total of 254 stations with up to 328 ft. of Cat5E cable between each station. In addition, as many as 239 networks can be interconnected allowing vast exchange of data to suit any application.

Seamless Communication

CC-Link IE Field networking enables seamless communication of data from field devices to controllers and from controllers to other controllers in order to form an integrated network for transmitting data at gigabit speed. An Ethernet adapter enables connection to 100 Mb Ethernet devices.