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28 | The Future of Robotics Texas Instruments automated equipment, industrial system designers need solutions that are flexible but easy to use. TI technology addresses these requirements with integrated solutions for industrial communications based on a range of standards, including IO-Link and the most popular industrial Ethernet protocols. TI's TIOL111x transceiver family provides complete IO-Link functionality plus electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transient (EFT) and surge protection for sensors and actuators in automated systems. An evaluation module (EVM) allows you to review the devices in operation, and reference designs help speed development of transmitters, proximity switches, solenoid drivers, ultrasound and other applications. Application designers that require greater bandwidth and deterministic timing must decide how many industrial Ethernet protocols to support in order to make their systems compatible with multiple fieldbus environments. Traditionally, adding protocols requires creating additional interfaces or interchangeable modules that plug into the motherboard. Either decision involves additional hardware design, a larger bill of materials, and a longer cycle of testing and certification. Instead of adding hardware, the TI Sitara™ family of ARM ® processors offers an integrated programmable real-time unit and industrial communication subsystem (PRU-ICSS) that supports multiprotocol industrial Ethernet. The PRU loads industrial protocol firmware at device runtime, with options for EtherCAT, Profinet, Sercos III, Ethernet/IP and Ethernet PowerLink. The PRU-ICSS handles real-time critical tasks that you would otherwise build into an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field-programmable gate array (FPGA), thus offering an upgradable software-based solution if you need to add new features or protocols. Based on the scalable ARM core (Cortex ® -A8, A9 or A15, depending on the processor), Sitara processors enable a single-chip solution for factory automation using multiple industrial Ethernet protocols. TI offers a wide line of interfaces for industrial Ethernet and other standards such as CAN, both as stand-alone solutions and as technology modules available in other integrated solutions. Many TI network products feature reinforced isolation for the protection of circuitry and humans, and other devices provide reinforced isolation to add to designs. In-depth development support includes software, tools, EVMs and reference designs for a variety of applications in automated industrial equipment. Technology for the Future of Smart Factories The growth of smart factories depends on versatile networking that matches the requirements of individual equipment units with the overall communication needs of the factory. Industrial Ethernet protocols provide high bandwidth and fast, guaranteed timing for fieldbus connections to PLCs, cameras, robots and other complex automated systems. IO-Link offers a straightforward alternative for point-to-point connection between a fieldbus master and a sensor or actuator, aiding in configuration and maintenance. TI offers a broad portfolio of solutions and flexible technology that help designers make use of these complementary standards as they create innovations in automation for the fourth industrial revolution. ■ Figure 4: A Sitara™-based system communicates directly with IO-Link Masters.