Product overview

CX8100 designates a product family of Embedded PCs based on a 32-bit ARM CPU. The CX8100 Embedded PC is programmable and is able to execute its own control program. In addition to that the Embedded PC acts as a slave device of a higher-level fieldbus system.

The CX8100 Embedded PC has the following basic configuration:

• a 512 MB MicroSD card,
• an Ethernet interface,
• as well as a bus interface.

You can use the CX8100 Embedded PCs as decentralized controllers and in this way ensure that the local program continues to be executed on the CX8100 in the event of an interruption in the higher-level fieldbus system.

The operating system is Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 7. Because there is no monitor port, the operating system and its "virtual" display can only be accessed via the network. Beckhoff Device Manager and Remote Display (Cerhost)

The Embedded PC features an internal 1-second UPS as persistent data memory. The 1-second UPS enables persistent data to be saved to the MicroSD card in the event of a power failure.

Power supply terminal

The power supply terminal for the Embedded PC is located on the right-hand side. Bus Terminals (K-bus) or EtherCAT Terminals (E-bus) can be attached on the right-hand side of the power supply terminal. The power supply terminal automatically recognizes the respective bus system (K-bus or E-bus).

The use of EtherCAT Terminals (E-bus) enables further options, such as the implementation of different topologies, the integration of further bus systems such as CANopen, PROFIBUS and PROFINET and – with the EtherCAT Box Modules – connection to the IP67 world.

Fieldbus interface

CX8100 devices are being prepared for further fieldbus systems such as EtherCAT (slave), PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, PROFIBUS and other communication systems.

Available fieldbus systems:

• CX8110: EtherCAT
• CX8180: RS232/485
• CX8190: Ethernet (Realtime Ethernet, ADS UDP, ADS TCP, EAP, Web Services)
• CX8191: BACnet (client and server)

Programming

The CX8100 Embedded PCs are programmed according to the high-performance IEC 61131-3 standard. The TwinCAT 3 automation software forms the basis for the programming of the Embedded PC.

Configuration

The CX8100 Embedded PC is commissioned via the Ethernet interface. The fieldbus interface and all connected devices such as EtherCAT Terminals or Bus Terminals are then read out via TwinCAT 3. The configuration is stored on the Embedded PC after the parameterization. The configuration thus created can be accessed again later.

The shortest usable task time is 500 µs, although this is only achievable with a very small system load. A task time of 1 to 50 ms is recommended for the I/O data. Other tasks can also be set slower. When using shorter cycle times, the total system load is to be observed.

If too short a cycle time is selected, the Web visualization and Remote Display may operate very slowly or cause timeouts. The user is responsible for configuring his system such that it is not overloaded.