By integrating the cifX PC card technology from Hilscher into Siemens’ SIMATIC IPCs, customers get flexible access to all relevant fieldbus and real-time Ethernet systems to support their digital business transformation in different industries.

Siemens, Hilscher partner on multiple protocol communications

Jan. 3, 2023

cifX PC cards from Hilscher make Siemens SIMATIC IPCs multiprotocol capable

While the Internet of Things (IoT) promises a wealth of data and insights to drive optimization, it's only successful if IoT devices can communicate and share that information with each other and operators to drive actionable insights. In an effort to offer a range of communication protocols to industry, Siemens partnered with Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH, a provider of industrial communication solutions.

Integrating Hilscher's cifX PC card technology into Siemens’ Simatic IPCs provides flexible access to all relevant fieldbus and real-time Ethernet systems, supporting the digital transformation of industry and achieving faster time-to-market and greater efficiency, the companies say.

The Simatic Box and Panel PC enables customers to connect, innovate, and run applications so they can turn data into valuable insights. PC cards in the M.2 format from Hilscher’s cifX PC card family can be integrated into Siemens’ Simatic IPC by a plug-and-play setup and activation. Hilscher's intelligent netX network controller then enables the integration of 19 different fieldbuses and real-time Ethernet protocols in the M.2 PC card.

Users benefit from unified device drivers, one configuration tool, as well as a consistent API across all protocols, the companies say. With this scalable platform, they can easily and efficiently integrate relevant automation protocols, including:

PROFIBUS-DP
CANopen
DeviceNet
PROFINET-IO
EtherCAT
EtherNet/IP
OpenModbus/TCP
POWERLINK*
SERCOS
CC-Link IE Field Basic*
Varan*

* Device only

Switching to the required protocol can be carried out via Hilscher’s loadable firmware, which is included in the scope of delivery. Hilscher also offers protocol stacks for controller as well as device applications.

The variety of protocols ensures that the Simatic IPC can adapt to the communication requirements of different market segments and different regions around the world, e. g. Ethernet-IP in USA or Korea or Modbus in India. In addition, users can rely on the fact that specific network requirements of different devices, machines and systems of the global automation market are reliably met.