Multi-function network controller netX 51

multi-protocolcompactOPC UA server

Product overview
The netX 51 is a network controller for fieldbus slaves and Real-Time Ethernet slaves with an integrated memory controller. It provides two Real-Time Ethernet communication channels (PHY or fieldbus), a fast SPI host interface and a secondary RISC CPU (xPIC) for time-critical I/O processing. The device supports extended communication features such as PROFINET V2.3 Dynamic Frame Packing and IO-Link V1.1.

Highlights

• Flexible high-end network controller with host interface or stand-alone solution for digital I/Os
• Two communication channels for Real-Time Ethernet with PHY or fieldbus
• Support for advanced communication functions (e.g. PROFINET V2.3 - Dynamic Frame Packing; IO-Link V1.1)
• Second RISC CPU (xPIC) for time-critical I/O tasks to reduce ARM load
• Fast SPI host interface with read/write capability

Detailed description
The netX 51/52 family builds on the evolved netX 50 communication architecture offering significantly increased internal storage and additional function units. Hardware is compatible with netX 50. The netX 52 uses the same silicon but without an external memory bus to provide a smaller, cost-optimized package for modular or compact slaves or as a Real-Time Ethernet controller for a high-performance CPU. New Renesas PHYs improve throughput and diagnostic capabilities.

With a small QSPI flash, the internal memory of more than 670 KByte enables very compact solutions and doubles performance compared to netX 50. For fast I/O processing, a second RISC CPU (xPIC) works in parallel with the ARM to lower software load on the ARM for short bus cycle times. Typical applications include IO-Link Master Gateways where the xPIC handles IO-Link data transfer while the ARM manages master communication protocols. A third Ethernet interface is available for PC connection for diagnosis/configuration or to connect to a host CPU (MII, netX can act as PHY). An optional dedicated CAN controller allows legacy CAN integration.

Supported protocols

• CC-Link IE Field Basic Slave
• OPC UA Server
• SmartWire-DT Master
• MQTT Client
• Sercos Slave
• PROFINET IO-Device
• PROFIBUS DP Slave
• POWERLINK Controlled Node
• Open Modbus/TCP Server
• Open Modbus/TCP Client
• IO-Link Master
• EtherNet/IP Adapter
• EtherCAT Slave
• DeviceNet Slave
• CC-Link Slave
• CANopen Slave

Order information
NETX 51 | 2231.001 | Network controller for fieldbus slave and Real-Time Ethernet slave with memory controller

Downloads (available)

• netX 51 Datasheet (English)
• netX 51 Datenblatt (Deutsch)
• netX Brochure (English)
• netX Broschüre (Deutsch)

Technical specifications

• Architecture: evolved netX 50 architecture; hardware compatible with netX 50
• Internal memory: >670 KByte (with small QSPI Flash for compact solutions)
• Second RISC CPU (xPIC) for time-critical I/O processing, operates in parallel with ARM
• Three Ethernet interfaces: two main Real-Time Ethernet channels + third interface for PC/diagnosis or host CPU (MII, netX can act as PHY)
• Two communication channels for Real-Time Ethernet with PHY or fieldbus
• Fast SPI host interface with read/write capability
• Support for extended communication features (e.g. PROFINET V2.3 Dynamic Frame Packing; IO-Link V1.1)
• Renesas PHYs for improved throughput and diagnostics
• Variant netX 52: same silicon without external memory bus for smaller package and cost optimization
• Optional dedicated CAN controller for legacy CAN integration
• Typical applications: IO-Link Master Gateways, modular/compact slaves, Real-Time Ethernet controllers