SERCOS III I/O Profile Specification Completed


Nuremberg, Germany - November 28, 2006 -- The SERCOS trade organizations announced today the completion of an I/O profile for SERCOS III, the Ethernet-based version of the SERCOS interface. This specifies a powerful device profile for decentralized I/O modules, which can be used for block I/Os as well as modular I/Os. It also supports hybrid devices that combine several functionalities in one single device, e.g., two-axis controller with I/O and master functionality. With this development, the foundation has been laid to use SERCOS III not just as a drive interface but instead as a universal Real-time Ethernet solution for all kinds of automation applications.

The I/O device profile is based on the SERCOS device model and uses the SERCOS III protocol structure. An XML-based device and profile description language is specified for I/O device configuration. SDDML (SERCOS Device Description Markup Language) describes which profiles are supported by a certain device. SPDML (SERCOS Profile Description Markup Language) is used to specify the different profiles on the basis of the SERCOS parameter model. Existing standard parameters can be used and manufacturer-specific parameters can also be defined.

Wago presented the first modular SERCOS III I/Os in a multi-vendor installation at SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2006 in Nuremberg - interacting with servo drives and motion control systems. Furthermore, Phoenix Contact has announced a development of I/Os for the new SERCOS III technology, in addition to their existing I/Os for SERCOS II.

"SERCOS III now becomes extraordinary attractive for users as an I/O profile and a safety protocol, available without any restrictions on the real-time behaviour of drive functions. Therefore, a single SERCOS fieldbus is now sufficient to implement challenging motion control applications," states Helmut Börjes, product manager at Wago.

"In addition to shorter development, installation, and commissioning times, the operation of SERCOS III results in reduced costs as well as a higher level of product throughput," summed up Martin Müller, Head of Marketing of the Business Unit Automation Systems at Phoenix Contact. "Thus, SERCOS III can be used to create high-performance, cost-effective motion control solutions."

For additional information contact:
Peter Lutz, Managing Director
SERCOS International e.V.
Kueblerstrasse 1, 73079 Suessen, Germany
Phone 49 (0) 7162-9468-65, Fax: +49 (0) 7162-9468-66
Email: plutz@sercos.de www.sercos.de

Ronald Larsen, Managing Director
SERCOS North America
405 Loblolly Bay Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: 800/573-7267, Fax: 850/269-0908
E-mail: info@sercos.com www.sercos.com

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