Intelligent RJ45 module solution makes integration easy for industrial Ethernet
The latest industrial Ethernet module solution, the I-RJ45 from Renesas Electronics incorporates a single- or dual-port RJ45 connector and simplifies integration for industrial Ethernet by supporting various industrial network slave applications including sensors and transmitters, gateways, operator terminals and remote I/O.
Comprising an intelligent RJ45 module that comes with qualified embedded software to support multiple industrial Ethernet protocol stacks, the software package and sample codes provide system manufacturers with a complete set of tools and frameworks to build their application without any additional up-front costs or complexity. This accelerates prototyping, reducing the time needed for industrial network protocol integration efforts by up to three months.
The I-RJ45 module solution is a ready-to-use hardware and software solution that includes a pre-certified PROFINET implementation and can be used for mass-produced applications.
Renesas plans to support other industrial protocols including EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP in the future. With a general application programmable interface, the application can be connected to the protocol software and offers an integration path to other Renesas ASSP solutions.
The single-port version is based on the RX64M microcontroller (MCU) Group and the dual-port module solution includes the R-IN32M3 industrial Ethernet communication chip.
Renesas also offers a solution kit version of the module solution that exists of a single or dual-port industrial Ethernet module soldered on an adapter board for development. This adapter board provides standard Arduino and Pmod interfaces, which enables it to connect to other Renesas MCU development boards including Synergy and RX.
The Ethernet module solution kit also includes a quick start-up guide, a USB cable and a CD with software and documentation.
The industrial Ethernet module solution is a ready-to-use solution that is pre-certified for PROFINET. Renesas will provide the source code for application examples for the Synergy S7 Starter Kit as well as the source for the PROFINET GSD files. The tool chain simplifies integration and enables a clean connection to the system manufacturer’s new or existing application. The module solution can be used directly within mass-produced applications.
Available in single- and dual-port versions, the industrial Ethernet module is in the form factor of a RJ45 Ethernet connector. This simplifies design-in of the module hardware with little effort of routing the PCB or modifying the existing housing, says the company.
The first release of the I-RJ45 module solution supports PROFINET conformance class B version 2.3.4. The hardware of the industrial Ethernet module solution is already prepared for other Industrial Ethernet protocols including EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP. The physical connection of the application controller to the solution is done via the SPI interface. The application software will be connected by using a general generic open abstraction layer, which aids migration with Renesas MCU solutions.
