Hilscher Accelerates Time-to-Market in Drive Solutions with netX 90 and CiA 402

[Ahmet Ö.]

Hilscher has expanded the support scope for its multi-protocol communication processor netX 90, now including the CiA 402 drive profile. This development strengthens its portfolio for drive and motion applications in EtherCAT networks.

Manufacturers of motors, drives, and integrated motion devices will be able to implement real-time communication and motor control on a standard basis within a single chip. This shortens time-to-market for products, reduces development costs, and provides greater flexibility for device and drive manufacturers.

Heiko Henkel, Head of Product Management Chip Division at Hilscher, stated, "Companies that produce devices and solutions involving electric motors and drives want to bring them to market quickly and easily without redeveloping existing working solutions. The netX 90 and our integrated drive profiles offer exactly that: We make communication and drive control readily accessible in a compact package."

### CiA 402 Drive Profile and Application Areas

The ETG drive profile CiA 402 is the accepted standard for drive devices in EtherCAT networks. CiA 402 defines a common interface for drives and motors and supports synchronized standard motion modes over the EtherCAT protocol.

These drives, which can be flexibly implemented with netX 90, can serve a wide range of applications:

• High-bay warehouses in logistics
• Conveyor systems
• Sorting systems
• Fans, pumps, and compressors
• Multi-axis systems used in robotics

### Technical Specifications

• CiA 402 drive profile support with netX 90
• Real-time industrial communication for EtherCAT and PROFINET
• PMSM and brushless DC motors (BLDC) with motor control supporting Field-Oriented Control (FOC)
• PROFIdrive drive profile support (application classes AC 1, AC 4)
• Integration of communication and drive control on a single chip

### Flexibility and Development Support in Industry

By implementing the CiA 402 standard on netX 90, Hilscher facilitates manufacturers in sectors such as packaging, logistics, mechanical engineering, robotics, and pharmaceuticals to develop EtherCAT drives with high compatibility, independent of vendors. It also accelerates development processes and reduces costs.

### netMOTION Evaluation Platform

The netX 90-based NXHX 90-MC motor control evaluation board (netMOTION) has been developed for rapid drive controller testing. This platform offers real-time communication and motor control together, enabling quick and easy development.

The package includes the netX Studio configuration tool with protocol stack, FOC, and drive profiles with examples, a drag-and-drop hardware configuration interface, and two predefined motor configurations. Additionally, users can easily connect their own motors.

Hilscher also provides its own internal tests, along with comprehensive software, drivers, tools, and protocol stacks for the supported drive profiles. Test reports, quick guides, and Hilscher test laboratory reports are shared with users within this scope.