Transparent Ethernet Support
Get a transparent Ethernet channel through the Anybus CompactCom 40-series
Anybus CompactCom 40 Ethernet products are available in a special version that includes a Transparent Ethernet interface. This means that industrial Ethernet protocol data (for example PROFINET or EtherNet/IP) is processed as usual by the CompactCom while all other Ethernet data passes straight through the module transparently — speeding up the network communication while allowing you to develop your own IT-functions.
What you can do with Transparent Ethernet!
- Web server (Create your own web interface)
- FTP
- MQTT
- Functionality built on proprietary protocols such as custom configuration tool
- and more...
This means that there is no need for additional Ethernet ports in your product since all communication goes through the Anybus CompactCom.
Features and benefits
- Enables full control over IT functionality and IT protocols
- Integrated traffic separator splits and routes the real-time Ethernet protocol and other Ethernet data - speeding up overall network communication
- Freedom to create or integrate your own IT / IIoT solutions or add proprietary protocols such as custom configuration tools, all via your own host application processor
- Same functionality and conformance as the standard CompactCom 40 Ethernet versions but with the following exceptions:
- Serial API and 8-bit parallel interfaces supported only (16-bit parallel interface is not supported)
- Standard integrated CompactCom IT functions (Replaced by Transparent Ethernet channel)
- Internal file system (Not supported)
How it works
The “other Ethernet traffic” is forwarded via the Transparent Ethernet interface - also called “RMII (Reduced Media Independent Interface)” - of the Anybus CompactCom.
Consequently, users with high-end processors and software, such as Linux with built in TCP/IP stack andIT services, get a transparent Ethernet channel through the CompactCom module. The Anybus CompactCom takes care of the complex industrial real-time protocols, leaving the rest to the host.
There is no need for additional Ethernet ports since all communication goes through the Anybus CompactCom.
Under the hood
The block diagram above shows how the communication is handled inside the Anybus CompactCom. Inside, there is a “traffic separator” which is able to detect and separate industrial Ethernet protocol data from other Ethernet data.
The real-time data is processed by the CompactCom while other Ethernet data is sent routed via the Reduced Media Independent Interface (RMII) interface for transparent distribution to the application.
The Transparent Ethernet RMII interface emulates a PHY operating at 100Mbit/s full duplex. The RMII interface is connected directly to an Ethernet MAC in the host application processor.
