Siemens SIMATIC IPCs are now multiprotocol capable thanks to cifX PC cards from Hilscher

Hattersheim, 04. Nov. 2022 – Siemens, one of the world's leading technology groups, and Hilscher, a specialist in industrial communication solutions, have joined forces. Equipped with Hilscher's cifX PC cards, the German technology group now offers its customers the ability to connect their SIMATIC IPCs to all industrial communication networks.

Today's world of industrial automation is characterized by a very heterogeneous communication landscape. This results in machines and production systems being connected via different network standards, which presents a major challenge. The cooperation between Siemens and Hilscher provides users of SIMATIC IPCs with flexible access to all common fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet systems. This enables them to respond to complex requirements across all industries and applications.

The integration of the additional network interface is very simple: Hilscher and Siemens offer a bundle of a cifX PC card in a compact M.2 format and a suitable front panel for the box or panel PC. This simplifies integration for the user down to merely plugging it in and tightening screws.

Siemens integrates cifX M.2 PC cards into their rugged SIMATIC IPCs

netX - The multiprotocoll-capable heart

The cifX PC cards are based on Hilscher's own netX chip technology. It enables the integration of all relevant fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet networks with only one hardware platform. Users benefit from unified device drivers, a configuration tool and a universal API across all protocols.

With this scalable platform, users can integrate all common automation protocols into their applications—both as controllers and as devices:

PROFIBUS-DPPROFINET-IODeviceNet
POWERLINK*CANopenEtherCAT
SERCOSEtherNet/IPCC-Link IE Field Basic*
OpenModbus/TCPVaran* 

* Device only

 

By combining SIMATIC IPCs and cifX technology, users benefit from a flexible and wide range of communication solutions. The company from Hattersheim supports users in their digital transformation in various industries.

The variety of protocols ensures that the solution can adapt to the broad range of communication requirements across market segments and economic sectors. Users can also rest assured that their industrial communication applications are compatible with the specific network requirements of the various devices, machines and plants in the global automation market.

The product bundles consisting of the matching cifX cards and the mounting elements, e.g., for SIMATIC IPC227G and IPC BX-39A, are available from Hilscher with separate article numbers.

Download the data sheet here:

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The M.2 format is extremely compact and versatile. Among other benefits, it offers you PCI Express interface technologies for master and slave applications for numerous fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet protocols.

Teaser picture Icon protocol stacks NXLFW

Our NXLFW firmware is the heart of every netX SoC and netX SoC-based products. It ensures that you can handle all industrial communication protocols with just a single piece of hardware—and all that with only a single software update.

Kontakt Hilscher

You've got questions? We've got the answers!

Phone: +49 (6190) 9907-90

Email: sales@hilscher.com