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2
Description
2.1
Overview
POWERLINK is a deterministic real-time protocol for standard Ethernet. It is an open protocol
managed by the Ethernet POWERLINK Standardization Group (EPSG). POWERLINK extends
Ethernet according to the IEEE 802.3 standard with mechanisms to transfer data with predictable
delivery. The communication meets timing demands typical for high performance automation
and motion applications.
POWERLINK manages the network traffic using dedicated time-slots for isochronous and
asynchronous data. Only one networked device at the time gains access to the network media.
Thus transmission of data will never interfere and precise communication timing is guaranteed.
This mechanism is called
Slot Communication Network Management (SCNM)
.
SCNM is managed by one particular networked device, the
Managing Node (MN)
. All other
nodes are called
Controlled Nodes (CN)
. The Anybus X-gateway POWERLINK Slave can participate
as a Controlled Node in POWERLINK networks.
2.2
Data Flow
The Anybus X-gateway POWERLINK Slave network interface exchanges data via two memory
buffers that can be accessed via a built in webserver or over POWERLINK.
Input Buffer
Contains data coming
from
the gateway, i.e. data from another network.
Output Buffer
Contains data to be sent
through
the gateway to another network.
Fig. 1
Overview of data flow
POWERLINK Slave Anybus
®
X-gateway
™
Network Interface User Manual
SCM-1202-091 1.1 en-US
