Nuremberg, SPS/IPC/DRIVES, 23rd November, 2010 — Renesas Electronics, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced the development of its new two-channel single-chip IO-Link solution for IO-Link master applications, based on close cooperation with its business partners ELMOS Semiconductor AG and TMG-Karlsruhe. The new IO-Link solution combines Renesas Electronics’ 78K0R-based 16-bit microcontroller (MCU) and the two-channel Elmos IO-Link transceiver in a small 9 x 9 mm QFN package.
IO-Link is the new standard serial digital communications protocol used for sensors and actuators in industrial automation systems. IO-Link offers the following key advantages:
- Compatible integration into existing fieldbus or Industrial Ethernet environments
- Process, parameter and diagnostics data in one cable
- Compatible cabling to existing sensor communication
Renesas Electronics’ master solution is the world’s first single chip device to integrate a complete two-channel master transceiver along with the master software stack operating on the 78K0R CPU core. As a result, it significantly reduces the required board space. The concept allows development of a scalable solution with up to 32 channels when combining several of the IO-link master chips via a single SPI based sum protocol. Alternatively, system designers can connect an upper layer device through the UART protocol. The key benefit for the system designer is the offload of the master related stack functions from a central controller that usually operates the application software of an IO module or IO box and the uplink protocol such as PROFINET or Ethernet/IP.
The master stack – currently under development by TMG Karlsruhe – will support IO-Link Version 1.1. Alternatively, system designers can develop and maintain their own software stacks. The transceiver integrates significant analogue components, which enable system designers to eliminate the use of additional external components and develop a complete IO-Link master product at low cost.
To support system designers in using the IO-Link single-chip solution, Renesas Electronics provides a comprehensive development kit at lower cost than most of the other kits on the market. The 78K0R kit is available from Q1 FY2011 onwards and supports developments for the new master lineup.
Renesas Electronics is well placed to enable system designers to quickly and easily achieve differentiated designs using the only single-chip two-channel master IO-Link solution available on the market.
Availability
Samples of Renesas Electronics’ new master single-chip IO-Link solution are planned for Q1 FY2011. Mass production of the new devices is scheduled to begin in Q3 FY2011. Availability is subject to change without notice.
More information about Renesas Electronics’ solutions for the industrial automation market can be found at:http://www.renesas.eu/iolink
About Renesas Electronics Europe
Renesas Electronics Europe with its Business Operations Centre located in Dusseldorf, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), the world’s number one supplier of microcontrollers and a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions including microcontrollers, SoC solutions and a broad-range of analog and power devices. Renesas Electronics’ European structure is comprised of five dedicated business groups serving the region’s key markets: automotive, communications & consumer, industrial, secure MCU applications, and mobile platforms. The business groups are supported by the Engineering Group, which itself includes the Engineering Design Centre; the European Quality Centre that provides technical support to local customers in Europe; and the European Technology Centre to design leading-edge products specifically for the European market. Further information about Renesas Electronics Europe can be found at: www.renesas.eu.
