For many years, the name Gleichmann is synonymous with extraordinary, farreaching design-in support. Whether in the field of Motor Control, Health Care, Building Management or Industrial Automation, only one thing counts for us: “the optimum solution for each customer”. This is embedded in the minds of all our employees and has gifted us with a unique design competence. In some particularly expansive segments even our specialists are, now and then, dependent on external support. One example of this is in the field of industrial communications. Just the sight alone at some of the following terms is enough to make some users break out in a sweat: PROFIBUS, DeviceNet, Modbus, Ethernet, CC-Link, ControlNet, CANopen, Interbus, Foundation Fieldbus, Lonworks, AS-Interface and Bluetooth. How do I bring all of the topologies used in our company under one roof? Are there technologies and products, which are equally suitable for all applications and which once again help me to be able to calculate the effort and costs? These are simple questions, but simple answers are not so easy.

Those of you that already have practical experience with industrial communications networks know the underestimated complexity of this thematic and the numerous pitfalls lying in wait.
In the run-up to this year’s SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2006 in Nuremberg, Gleichmann has set itself a goal: to end this dilemma by means of a unique initiative. In addition to NEC Electronics und Wind River, we have also been able to win over additional well-known names - like Gleichmann, also members of PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V. (PNO) - for a PROFINET partnership. This will, in future, allow Gleichmann to be the first components distributor to offer all services and products relating to PROFINET from a single source. One example is the close partnership with the Technologie Management Gruppe (TMG) in Karlruhe, Germany. For more than 20 years, TMG questions conventional thinking patterns and therefore, opens up new chances for sound competitive differentiation, while at the same time being fast, consequent and results oriented in execution. In future, Gleichmann customers will, if required, not only have access to our own internal experts, but also the experienced TMG designers and consultants will be placed at their disposal for all questions relating to PROFINET.
Together, we will support you with: knowledge transfer and building, technology selection,development of

customer specific hard and software solutions as well as the preparation for the necessary certification.
Detailed information about TMG can be found on page 6/7 of this Gleichmann Newsletter. Our full service concept in the field of industrial communications is ideally supplemented by the addition of the innovative products from HMS Industrial Networks to our line card. HMS designs and manufactures intelligent communication technology for automation equipment and provides reliable solutions to connect devices to any major network protocol and products enabling interconnection between different industrial networks. The Anybus range of products from HMS is today the world‘s most used 3rd party product for industrial network connectivity.
Interchangeable Anybus interface modules, Gateways, & PC interface products provide a complete and reliable way to connect your product to a wide range of standard busses. For more information, regarding the philosophy and products of HMS, see page 3 of this Gleichmann Newsletter. Whether in the field of Motor Control, Health Care, Building Management or Industrial Automation, you can profit form Gleichmann’s, for a components distributor, unique competence as a solution provider. Experience the possibilities offered to you by PROFINET and NEC Electronics’ ERTEC.

MINICUBE2 has 6 key features

1. On-chip debugging and full Flash programming functionality
2. Single-tool support for 8-, 16-& 32-bit microcontrollers
3. Easily upgradeable for any future Flash microcontrollers
4. Powered by USB so no external supply necessary
5. Just 4.8 cm²!
6. Low price!

Let’s now take a look at these in more detail … The on-chip debug (OCD) peripheral is a common function of NEC Electronics’ latest Flash microcontrollers, and using this function, MINICUBE2 enables debugging of a device on the target system itself. Since debugging takes place with the target device operating on the board, it also makes MINICUBE2 ideal for debugging in the field.
Depending on the target device, MINI-CUBE2 offers an abundance of debug features, including 2 hardware break points for real-time debugging, 4 ROM area software break points and 2000 RAM area break points. Run, Run from Here, Run to Here, Restart and step execution are also included, plus forced break, RAM monitoring, time measurement, Reset pin masking and writing to memory during RUN (DMM).
For extra security, a 10-byte code authentication is also provided. Debugging takes place through one serial function (3 or 4 pins) with user memory space or through the OCD interface, again depending on the target device. The same unit offers full Flash programming functionality, suited to both the development environment as well as mass production. Using a standard programming interface and parameter file, 3.0 V or 5.0 V power can be applied with either a 4 MHz, 8 MHz or 16 MHz clock. Security setting is also available.
In addition, MINICUBE2 also features a self-testing function to detect faults and perform maintenance. A single MINICUBE2 unit will support most NEC Electronics Flash microcontrollers, including the low pin count 78K0S 8-bit range, the 78K0/Kx2 general purpose and 78K0/Lx2 LCD controller 8-bit ranges, the V850 All Flash general purpose 32-bit ranges and the brand new 78K0R/Kx3 16-bit range.

And in case you get confused, a clever multicoloured LED will tell you exactly which technology the unit is currently set for! As well as supporting existing devices, MINICUBE2 has also been future-proofed with the capability to update the firmware using a simple Web download, so you can be sure that as NEC Electronics continuously releases new Flash microcontrollers in the coming months and years, you can keep using the same tool.
With a USB cable included, there is no need to use any other external power source – simply plug in and either start the debugger to use the onchip debug function or start the programming GUI to perform Flash programming. To make getting up and running even easier, an appetiser version of the very latest IAR Workbench for use with MINICUBE2 is now available to download from the web, with individual device target boards also available to enable instant evaluation of NEC Electronics’ Flash microcontrollers using the onboard clock, LEDs, switches and a universal prototype area.
All of this functionality is provided in an ultra-compact, ultralightweight tool. MINICUBE2 is just 4.8 cm² and only 30 g, so you can easily carry it in your pocket if you really want to! And at around onethird of the cost of the original MINICUBE, which is already well known for being a very low cost tool, it is now almost impossible to find a reason not to start developing your next project with MINICUBE2 right now!

Gleichmann is proud to introduce a new strong partner for the Industrial Automation Initiative. HMS Industrial Networks is the leading independent supplier of embedded network technology for automation devices. HMS develops and manufactures solutions for interfacing automation devices to industrial networks. Development and manufacturing takes place at the head of. ce in Halmstad, Sweden. Local sales and Design-In support for device is provided by the branch offices in Chicago, Beijing, Karlsruhe, Milan, Paris and Tokyo. HMS employs 128 persons of which 35 in R&D and reported sales of €20 million in 2005. HMS produces more than 120.000 Anybus modules per year and has an installed base of 460.000 modules in Q3/2006. Gleichmann Electronics and HMS have signed a cooperation agreement in September 2006.
Gleichmann Electronics will distribute Anybus-CC mo-dules in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from November 2006 on.

Anybus-CompactCom Anybus-CC) modules are designed to meet the increasing communication requirements in industrial automation. Automation devices with an Anybus-CC slot on board can be instantly connected to all major fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks.

The Software interface (API) between the Anybus-CC module and the automation device has been fully standardised by HMS. The object oriented interface method permits a maximum of network independence and interchangeability. The Anybus-CC host application interface supports both asynchronous fast serial as well as a Dual Port Ram based parallel interfacing. High data throughput and low power consumption based on 3,3 Volt technology let the Anybus-CC modules fit well into all kind of modern automation devices.

The organic growth of communications within the factory has led to a complex network of different standards for the many different areas within factory and process automation. Upstream (goods incoming) may be managed by an Ethernet network closely coupled to inventory management, order management, and accounting systems. The manufacturing floor, however, is most likely managed by one or more fieldbuses such as Profibus. In addition to a major fieldbus, industrial networks also may include multiple local buses based on simple serial protocols like CC-Link or (Actuator- Sensor Interface) ASi. As such neither communication is compatible with the others or with Ethernet. Ethernet is the accepted standard for enterprise networks and carries communications to all parts of an organisation responsible for running day to day business. Systems based on well renowned databases like SAP and Oracle regularly aid in management of inventory, order book, and customer relationship. All of these aspects are held in the enterprise world and are therefore based on Ethernet however they directly impact manufacturing ef. ciency. If incoming goods and outgoing goods are managed using Ethernet it only makes logical sense to manage the industrial manufacturing network in the same way.
In fact manufacturing is the only part of the business that is not based on Ethernet today. It is therefore not easily accessible from the enterprise network. In fact easy access is only possible directly from the factory floor.

Machines within assembly lines require precise synchronisation to ensure maximum throughput. Any delay at any point on the line causes a delay in the entire process, which could lead to severe cost penalties. Today, factories use fieldbuses such as Profibus, which 9 ensure that communications can deliver the performance required to maintain synchronisation. This is also referred to as real time performance. It is obvious to see the detrimental effects of introducing TCP/IP data from the of. ce network into the real time environment of the factory. Although there are significant advantages to converting the factory to Ethernet, among them the advantage of connectivity with the enterprise network, it is clear that real time performance, hence speed of communications, must be taken into account. The two main factors that affect speed of communication are processing time and transmission time.

Profinet is an open standard that maximises communication speed by minimising both processing and transmission time. Processing time is minimised by the use of a fast ARM9 CPU to process data as quickly as possible. Transmission time is minimised by dividing the standard Ethernet bandwidth into two channels, one for standard non real time TCP/ IP traffic and the other dedicated to real time traffic. Real time traffic is inserted into the standard flow of data at predetermined times ensuring that this data is available on the network as soon as possible. The time between real-time ‘slots’ is predetermined and constant, so deterministic behaviour is guaranteed. This is called Isochronous Real Time (IRT). The analogy is that of a fast lane on a highway in which only real time traffic is allowed. Not only is real time performance guaranteed but the solution is completely compatible with existing Ethernet networks. Standard TCP/IP traffic can be used in combination with IRT requirements.

Profinet allows for three levels of performance – standard non real time, soft real time, and IRT. This allows Profinet to span the entire range of industrial network solutions, from non real time I/O modules to IRT based motion controllers requiring less than 1 ms cycle time and less than 1 µs jitter. This wide scope of performance is the reason why many communications standards exist today within the industrial network. However, Profinet has the potential to coexist with these standards and also to allow equipment based on these standards to communicate with the rest of the industrial and enterprise network. Cost of installation is extremely low as very little systems integration is required. Because the Profinet network is self managing for IRT traffic, there are no pre-requisites for the network topology. Maintenance costs are also low because any tuning or diagnostics can be run from a PC using non real time data. There is no need to go to the factory floor and no need to interrupt the line.

The ERTEC device from NEC Electronics delivers the performance required by Profinet by including an intelligent hardware network switch on chip that performs the time slicing required for IRT. It creates the fast lane necessary to guarantee real time performance. NEC Electronics is the only semiconductor supplier of a device that conforms to all aspects of the Profinet standard. Reducing the bill of materials for Profinet applications As well as delivering real time performance the ERTEC range integrates two or four standard Ethernet ports including the physical layers, which eliminates the need for multiple linear discrete components – thereby reducing the bill of materials for Profinet applications.

ERTEC is currently available in two variants, ERTEC200 offering two Ethernet ports, and ERTEC400 offering four Ethernet ports. Both are based on the Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) standard delivering high bandwidth for both real time and non real time data. Development kits are now available for both variants and include ten samples of either the ERTEC200 or ERTEC400.

The integration of industrial and enterprise networks is an inevitability that opens up possibilities for reduced cost, increased efficiency, and unsurpassed flexibility for manufacturers. Profinet delivers on its promise of enabling that integration and the NEC Electronics ERTEC device range is the only sol tion capable of enabling the full range of Profinet functionality.

The total number of installed industrial Ethernet nodes is estimated to exceed 13 million by 2010. One of the reasons for such an optimistic prognosis is, among others, new innovative components, such as the ARM9 based Enhanced Real Time Ethernet Controller (ERTEC) from NEC Electronics.

Gleichmann Electronics GmbH is very pleased to introduce TMG as a partner of the Industrial Automation Initiative. How can you guarantee that your company will continue to benefit from the possibilities offered by industrial information and communications technologies? Technologie Management Gruppe (TMG) in KarlruheTMG Technologie und Engineering GmbH constitutes a pool of experts for information and communication technologies (PROFINET, PROFIBUS and other industrial Ethernet or fieldbus solutions).

Gleichmann offers an extremely powerful, and at the same time environmentally friendly, nanophosphate lithium-ion rechargeable battery from the U.S. manufacturer A123Systems. The ANR26650M1 has a 10x life cycle vs. conventional lithium ion batteries and allows for much higher power density, or rate of charge and discharge. The battery has the ability to recharge to 90% of its capacity in five minutes. 3000 Watts per Kilogram guarantees the highest performance in the smallest form factor. The new cell, which for the first time uses a nanophosphate positive electrode (cathode), has a nominal capacity and voltage of 2.3 Ah, 3.3V. The internal impedance (1kHz AC) is 8 mΩ typical. Maximum continuous discharge is 70A and pulse discharge at 10 sec is 120A for each cell. With an operating temperature range of -30°C to +60°C, the ANR26650M1 allows for use in harsh environmental conditions.

Gleichmann, Stuttgart
FAE NEC Microcontrollers

Since 2006
Gleichmann, Stuttgart Initiative Industrial Automation; Marketing and Application HMS

Get well known as solution partner in the industrial automation area
Push Industrial Automation Initiative at Gleichmann
Increase our partnership with TMG and HMS

Age: 28
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