Digital transformation: An integration of Siemens’ SIMATIC IPCs with Hilscher’s cifX PC card technology will bring flexible access to all relevant fieldbus and real-time Ethernet systems

By integrating the cifX PC card technology from Hilscher into Siemens’ SIMATIC IPCs, customers get flexible access to all relevant fieldbus and real-time Ethernet systems to support their digital business transformation in different industries.

• Integration of cifX PC card technology into SIMATIC IPCs offers flexible access to all relevant fieldbus and real-time Ethernet systems
• Companies can speed up time-to-market and increase efficiency in a heterogeneous IoT world
• SIMATIC IPC can adapt to the communication requirements of different market segments and economic areas

(PRESS RELEASE) NUREMBERG, 28-Oct-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — Siemens AG (ETR: SIE), a German multinational conglomerate and Europe’s largest industrial manufacturing company, has announced a new partnership with Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH, a leading provider of industrial communication solutions, aimed at offering a wide range of communication protocols to industrial companies.

By integrating the cifX PC card technology from Hilscher into Siemens’ SIMATIC IPCs, the two companies provide customers flexible access to all relevant fieldbus and real-time Ethernet systems – the technology for communication between devices and the exchange of data between machines and plants in the existing very heterogeneous IoT world. This supports the digital business transformation of industry and helps address today’s complex technology challenges such as achieving faster time-to-market and greater efficiency.

The Simatic Box and Panel PC—a series of highly reliable rugged industrial PCs from Siemens with optional industrial-grade touch screen display—enables customers to connect, innovate, and run applications so they can turn data into valuable insights.

PC cards in the M.2 format from Hilscher’s cifX PC card family can be integrated into Siemens’ SIMATIC IPC by a simple plug-and-play setup and activation. Hilscher’s intelligent netX network controller then enables the integration of 19 different fieldbuses and real-time Ethernet protocols in the M.2 PC card.

Users benefit from unified device drivers, one configuration tool, as well as a consistent API across all protocols. With this scalable platform, they can easily and efficiently integrate all relevant automation protocols:

• PROFIBUS-DP
• CANopen
• DeviceNet
• PROFINET-IO
• EtherCAT
• EtherNet/IP
• OpenModbus/TCP
• POWERLINK*
• SERCOS
• CC-Link IE Field Basic*
• Varan*

_{* Device only}

Switching to the required protocol can be carried out via Hilscher’s loadable firmware, which is included in the scope of delivery. Hilscher also offers protocol stacks for Controller as well as Device applications.

The variety of protocols ensures that the SIMATIC IPC can adapt to the communication requirements of different market segments and different regions around the world, e. g. Ethernet-IP in USA or Korea or Modbus in India. In addition, users can rely on the fact that specific network requirements of different devices, machines and systems of the global automation market are reliably met.

The M.2 bundles for ready-to-use integration, e. g. into the SIMATIC IPC227G and IPC BX-39A, are available directly from Hilscher. Customers benefit from the flawless interaction of the tested combinations of SIMATIC IPC and cifX M.2 PC cards.

For further information regarding SIMATIC IPC Systems please see:
https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/pc-based.html

Siemens Digital Industries (DI) is an innovation leader in automation and digitalization. Closely collaborating with partners and customers, DI drives the digital transformation in the process and discrete industries. With its Digital Enterprise portfolio, DI provides companies of all sizes with an end-to-end set of products, solutions and services to integrate and digitalize the entire value chain. Optimized for the specific needs of each industry, DI’s unique portfolio supports customers to achieve greater productivity and flexibility. DI is constantly adding innovations to its portfolio to integrate cutting-edge future technologies. Siemens Digital Industries has its global headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, and has around 72,000 employees internationally.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power.

In fiscal 2021, which ended on September 30, 2021, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €62.3 billion and net income of €6.7 billion. As of September 30, 2021, the company had around 303,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com on the Internet.

Media contact:

Laura Egger
Siemens AG
+49 152 589 630 51
laura.egger@siemens.com

SOURCE: Siemens