Analysis and implementation of multi-protocol gigabit Ethernet switch for real-time control systems

Abstract

Deterministic data exchange over Ethernet network is used for real-time control applications such as programmable logic control and multi-axis motor control. Digitization of the production system asks for more Ethernet based devices. Machine vision sensors and collaborative robots require different set of network parameters. Therefore a faster communication network at gigabit speed and a converged network supporting different traffic types are needed. Time Sensitive Network (TSN) defines the capability to support converged network in cyber physical production systems. In addition, real-time Ethernet is used in closed applications such as robotics, machine tools and industrial backplane. In this paper we introduce flexible gigabit Ethernet switch architecture for open and closed control systems. We discuss firmware implementations for different protocols such as Profinet Conformance Class D and provide performance data for network parameters and real-time control parameters.