Built-in network connectivity is simplified with netX, a System on Chip from Hilscher North America Inc., Lisle, Ill., (hilscher.com). Using available network stacks, netX serves as a master or slave for industrial Ethernet and field buses, including Ethernet/IP (with CIP SYNC), Profinet (RT and IRT), EtherCat, Ethernet Powerlink, Sercos III, Profibus, and others.

NetX helps manufacturers outsource engineering communication protocols while integrating products into a single chip. This maintains broad network connectivity without multiple network technologies.

The chip supports several peripherals and ports for UARTs, I/O, USB, color-LCD controller, real-time clock, PWM inverter, encoder input, A/D converter, I²C interface, SPI, and status LEDs. Applications can be developed for netX in Linux, Windows CE, RCX (a real-time OS), and Vx-Works. The chip is compatible with network enabled control products, such as I/O blocks, drives, MMIs, PLCs, scales, bar code readers, and network gateways. Protocol stacks allow using NetX as a network co-processor and interface to the host via USB, serial, or dual-port memory.

Programming an arrangement of processors lets it interface to any network physical layer and protocol. Two communication channels may be used as Ethernet or fieldbus and two for fieldbus only.