As a single POWERLINK node, the gateway integrates a subordinate SmartWire-DT network with up to 99 stations into Ethernet POWERLINK. The device thereby maps the process data of all SmartWire-DT stations modularly to I/O objects. 1000 bytes input and output process data can be mapped via TxPDOs and RxPDOs and will be transferred transparently between both network protocols.
The gateway is commissioned via the USB interface of the planning and diagnostics software SWD-Assist. A scan function automatically determines the connected SmartWire-DT network constellation. Finally, the network configuration is transferred to the gateway together with the modifiable parameters of the SmartWire-DT devices. SWD-Assist transforms the loaded network configuration into a standardized POWERLINK XDD device description file. This file provides the engineering tool of the POWERLINK Managing Node with the specific POWERLINK gateway operating parameters.
The software SWD-Assist is not included within the scope of delivery of the gateway, but it can be downloaded free of charge at www.hilscher.com or ordered at cost price as a DVD with USB.