Protocol platform: Powerlink compatible with Gigabit Ethernet

By Control Engineering Staff January 9, 2007

B&R says use of Ethernet Powerlink allows easy conversion to Gigabit Ethernet or a safety-related network application.

Roswell, GA —Ethernet Powerlink provides the platform for Gigabit Ethernet because the protocol is said to be open and software-based, according to B&R Industrial Automation Corp . Ability to exchange the hardware platform when porting from Fast Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet offers long-term investment security.

Gigabit Ethernet is 10 times faster than Fast Ethernet, which also can be used.

A similar performance advantage is seen when using the Ethernet Powerlink Safety protocol, because the increased data transfer rate is already taken into consideration in the basic version of the safety protocol.

— Control Engineering Daily News Desk Mark T. Hoske