New cifX PC card out in Mini PCIe halfsize format.

Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH has released a new multi-protocol cifX PC card in the extremely small Mini PCIe halfsize format. At just 26.8mm wide and 30mm long, the cifX HPCIE90 industrial communications PC card fits virtually any application, from IPCs and HMIs to vision systems to robotics. The miniPCIe socket is a common and widespread standard, making Hilscher’s new card easy to use without hardware redesign.
The PC card is based on Hilscher’s netX-90 communications controller, which makes this format possible thanks to its dimensions of only 10 x 10mm. This makes the card able to support all industrial protocols. The following protocols are available at release:
• PROFINET IO Device
• EtherNet/IP Adapter
• EtherCAT Slave
• OpenModbus/TCP
• PROFIBUS-DP Slave
• Powerlink Slave
• CANopen Slave
• DeviceNet Slave
Further protocols such as CC-Link IE Field Basic Slave, Sercos Slave or the IIoT protocols, MQTT and OPC UA are still in the development stage.
Users only have to familiarize themselves with netX technology once and then have access to all protocol standards – tested and certified by the market leader. Furthermore, external network interfaces are available to connect the various plugs for RTE and fieldbus protocols.