Design of a seamless gateway for Mechatrolink?
Jin Ho Kim, Dang Thanh Tuan, Jae Wook Jeon, Bok Sun Yeom · 2013
Recently, the Real-time Ethernet based protocol has alternated a low speed fieldbus using RS-485 or CAN. To connect a low speed fieldbus and a real-time Ethernet, a gateway is an essential component. In this paper, we propose the seamless gateway for Mechatrolink III. The seamless gateway abstracts the network protocol (e.g. EtherCAT, PROFINET) and profile (e.g. CiA 402, PROFIdrive). Using the proposed gateway, the master can control all device using a single network protocol and profile. In this paper we explain the concept of a seamless gateway and implement a prototype seamless gateway between Mechatrolink III and RS-485.