Beckhoff: Embedded PC (CX1020 Series)

Embedded PC series CX1020, CX1030

The Embedded PCs CX1020 and CX1030 extend the CX product family by versions with higher CPU performance and enable the direct connection of Bus Terminals and EtherCAT Terminals. The CX1020 is equipped with a 1 GHz Intel® Celeron® M CPU. It is an energy-saving device that operates with ultra-low core voltage and features low thermal power dissipation of only 7 W TDP (thermal design power). As a result, no fan is required despite the compact design of the CX1020 Embedded PC. Since Compact Flash is used as boot and memory medium, no rotating media are required in the controller. This is an important aspect for increasing the MTBF (mean time between failures) of the overall system.

The CX1030 is equipped with a 1.8 GHz Intel® Pentium® M and is the most powerful device in the Embedded PC range. Apart from the cartridge (which is required due to the higher performance) and the CPU, the CX1030 and CX1020 feature identical hardware and software. The high-quality fan is supported by dual ball bearings and mounted in a tray so that it can be replaced in the field without tools or wiring, if required. The fan speed is monitored and can be queried via software. The combination of CX1030, EtherCAT and TwinCAT enables very fast control processes in the sub-millisecond range (eXtreme Fast Control Technology).

The basic CPU modules are equipped with two RJ45 sockets and an integrated 3-port switch as standard. In practice, this often means that no separate switch is required, since a line topology can be configured conveniently: for example in building installations, where several room controls can be distributed across each floor, which otherwise would have to be networked via a star topology.

The components

The modules of the CX series system are connected with each other via the standardized PC/104 bus (16 bit). The individual system components are modules with a width of 19 mm (single) or 38 mm (double) that can be arranged in series. The basic unit consists of a CPU module CX1020/CX1030 and a power supply module (CX1100-00xx).

The CPU module is available in several variants, e.g.:

The range of optional modules is complemented by fieldbus connections for PROFIBUS, CANopen, DeviceNet, SERCOS interface and Lightbus, both as master or slave versions.

Power supply unit with integrated I/O interface

Three or four different types of power supply units are available:

All power supply variants have an illuminated, low-glare LC display with FSTN technology and two rows with 16 characters each for displaying status messages. The application programs can also use the display for displaying application-specific texts. 8 kB of non-volatile memory for remanent data are also included.

EtherCAT as a fast I/O system

The Embedded PCs CX1020 and CX1030 were developed for optimum interaction with EtherCAT. The two Ethernet interfaces of the CPU module are not primarily intended for EtherCAT operation. The EtherCAT connection is established via the EtherCAT EK1110 extension terminal.

EtherCAT offers several options for connecting traditional fieldbus systems with the CX1020/CX1030: either as a CX1500 module directly at the CPU or as an EtherCAT device in terminal form. The PROFIBUS master is available either as a CX1500-M310 or as an EL6731 EtherCAT Terminal. Both types offer the same performance characteristics – e.g. both support PROFIBUS DP-V2. In practice, this means that the PROFIBUS master can be positioned exactly where it is required within a machine. It no longer has to be implemented as a plug-in card in the IPC or a master controller in the control cabinet.

PLC, Motion Control, interpolation and visualization

As a DIN rail IPC and in conjunction with the TwinCAT software from Beckhoff, the CX1020/CX1030 offers the same functionality as large Industrial PCs. In terms of PLC, up to four virtual IEC 61131 CPUs can be programmed with up to four tasks each, with a minimum cycle time of 50 µs. All IEC 61131-3 languages can be used.

Moreover, all TwinCAT functionalities are available for Motion Control applications: in theory, up to 256 axes can be controlled. In addition to simple point-to-point movements, more complex multi-axis functions such as “electronic gearbox”, “cam plate” and “flying saw” can be implemented. Thanks to the more powerful CPU, the CX1020 and CX1030 can also be used for interpolating 3-D path movements and DIN66025 programs.

In addition to real-time execution of control tasks, the TwinCAT real-time kernel ensures that enough time remains for the user interface (HMI) to communicate with the real-time components via software interfaces such as ADS or OPC.

CX1020 | Basic CPU module

The basic CX1020 CPU module has a 1 GHz Intel® CPU. The controller does not require a fan or other rotating components. In addition to the CPU and the chipset, the CX1020 module also contains the main memory, which is available in different sizes. The controller boots from the Compact Flash.

The basic configuration of the CX1020 includes a 128 MB Compact Flash card and two Ethernet RJ45 interfaces. These interfaces are connected to an internal switch and offer a simple option for creating a line topology without the need for additional Ethernet switches. All other CX family components can be connected via the PC/104 interface that is available on both sides. The passive cooling module is included in the scope of supply. The operating system can be Windows Embedded CE 6 or Windows Embedded Standard 2009. The TwinCAT 2 automation software transforms a CX1020 system into a powerful PLC and Motion Control system that can be operated with or without visualization. In contrast to the CX1010, the CX1020 can also be used for interpolating axis movements with TwinCAT 2 NC I.

Further system interfaces or fieldbus connections can be added to the basic CPU module. The CPU module requires a CX1100 type power supply module. All CX1500 fieldbus modules and all CX1100 power supplies from the CX series can be used in combination with the CX1020.

The Embedded PC CX1020 is also available as the ordering option CX1900-0320 with zero second level cache. Instead of the 1 GHz processor with 512 kB second level cache (L2), a less expensive variant of the processor without a second level cache (L2 = 0 kB) is used. Since the CX1900-0320 has the same 855GME chipset as the CX1020, none of the basic characteristics of the CX1020 are changed, apart from the slightly lower CPU power.