EC: CX9020 Embedded PC

Hardware - Industrial PCs: The DIN rail mounted CX9020 is a compact Embedded PC with 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor suitable for a wide range of PLC and motion control applications in small- to medium-sized machines and systems. This is a Control Engineering 2014 Engineers’ Choice award winner.

By Control Engineering October 17, 2013

In order to increase controller scalability while enhancing user functionality and flexibility, Beckhoff Automation has introduced the CX9020 Embedded PC. The DIN rail mounted CX9020 is remarkably compact, robust and equipped with a powerful 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor.

The CX9020 integrates a CPU, numerous connectivity solutions and optional interfaces, a power supply and a direct interface for Beckhoff I/O systems in one compact housing. The CX9020 can capably operate in demanding environments with temperatures ranging from -25 to 60 C, making it ideal for a wide range of manufacturing facilities and outdoor applications, including wind turbines and solar installations.

The CX9020 continues Beckhoff’s exclusive support of Microsoft operating systems in the form of Windows Embedded Compact 7. When running the TwinCAT automation software platform from Beckhoff, the CX9020 becomes a dependable PLC and motion controller that can be used with or without visualization.

The solid-state CX9020 is fanless and equipped with two microSD card slots providing the option for larger storage capacity on the device. It also comes with a 256 MB microSD card for the operating system; the supplemental microSD card slot can be used for additional operator data. The CPU inside the CX9020 has access to an impressive 1 GB of internal DDR3 RAM memory. In addition, 128 kB of NOVRAM are available for data storage in the event of a power failure.

The basic configuration of the CX9020 includes two switched Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s RJ 45 interfaces, four USB-2.0 interfaces and a DVI-D interface. The RJ 45 interfaces are connected to an internal switch and offer a simple option for creating a line topology without the need for additional Ethernet switches. A "multi-optional" interface permits the integration of an additional interface, such as EtherCAT (slave only), PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS, CANopen, DeviceNet, serial interface (RS232/RS422/RS485) or audio.

www.beckhoffautomation.com

www.beckhoffautomation.com/cx9020

Beckhoff Automation