The future prospects for the semiconductor industry are quite positive, with a projected growth of around 9% in 2022. However, the industry is repeatedly faced with supply bottlenecks due to the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, amongst other things. By developing a new comX communication module, especially suited for the semiconductor industry, Hilscher is supporting to cope with the current situation.

By definition, Ethernet technology does not allow any physical loop structures and, due to the broadcast characteristics of Ethernet, no redundant communication paths are possible. However, the reliability and the use of redundant architectures are fundamental requirements of many automation systems. Industrial Ethernet protocols such as EtherCAT deliver redundancy methods to realize more robust and fail-safe networks.

Hilscher releases CANopen and DeviceNet technology for cifX M.2 PC-card

The latest card of Hilscher’s cifX portfolio is the world's first master and slave solution in an M.2 format. This card opens up the possibility for users to equip their automation devices with an industrial communication interface via an M.2 socket. As a multi-protocol card, the new M.2 PC-card offers a wide variety of Real-Time Ethernet and fieldbus communication protocols with a uniform application interface.

Did you know that Hilscher's products can act as Media Redundancy Managers and Clients in the PROFINET IO Networks?

Hilscher enlarges the cifX M.2 PC-Card portfolio with the traditional PROFIBUS-DP Slave protocol.

Part 4 of our SPE Blog series concentrates on the market potential of SPE and on how Hilscher approaches it.