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Embedded Solutions
The intelligent all-in-one bus node UNIGATE IC
UNIGATE IC combines all analog and digital signals of the Fieldbus- or Ethernet-interface on a small space of 45 x 25 mm (DIL-32-housing).
The Deutschmann UNIGATE® IC is a complete single-chip bus-solution in a 32-DIL-housing. On a space of 45 x 25 mm only, the device contains all necessary components, such as microcontrollers, Flash, RAM, bus-chip and of course the analog components, such as optocoupler and bus driver. The UNIGATE® IC is connected to the microprocessor of the terminal equipment or it can be operated stand-alone. UNIGATE® ICs are certified and/or tested on the bus and through numerous applications, the problem-free operation with all marketable master systems has been proven. The integrated microprocessor processes the entire data traffic with the bus and consequently relieves the terminal equipment processor of this considerable effort. The protocol of the terminal equipment is converted via a Script in the UNIGATE® IC. With the free PC-tool "Protocol Developer" this Script is generated and optimally adapted to the final product and the requirements of the bus. Changes in the Firmware of the terminal equipment are not necessary and the microprocessor of the terminal equipment is not additionally loaded with communication- and bus-tasks. The hard- and software-interfaces of the Deutschmann UNIGATE® IC-series are standardized and functionally identical. As a result, the ex-changeability between the different UNIGATE® IC-versions of the device control electronics is guaranteed.
Application
Deutschmann UNIGATE® IC is especially suitable for the use with terminal equipment from automatic control. Here it does not matter whether it is a complex control or a simple actuator or sensor. Of course with UNIGATE® IC control components beyond the classic auto-mation technology can also be connected to the Fieldbus world or to buses based on Ethernet.
Scope of functions
Deutschmann UNIGATE® IC uses the full data capacity of the respective bus and supports all speeds of the respective bus-version. The entire range of services of the respective bus (Slave) is supported by the UNIGATE®. A bus-ID can either be adjusted via the integrated shift register-interface with additionally mounted switch, the bus itself or the Script. Accessibility of LEDs for signalling the device status occurs via the shift register-interface or directly via the Fieldbus ASIC. The special advantage of the UNIGATE® IC-series is the Script-ability. As a result, all changes at the Firmware of the terminal equipment are dropped. Through the Script the customer has all liberties and possibilities, from a simple, transparent data transfer over the generation of complex protocols to data editing.
Processor connection
When UNIGATE® IC bus is used in systems with own microprocessor, it is connected to the processor of the final product via an UART-interface. The UNIGATE® IC takes on the complete communication part including the bus-side and as a result it relieves the device processor of this considerable effort. The communication between the device processor and UNIGATE® IC is controlled by the Script. Through the Script technology it is possible to reproduce complex protocols, data can be processed, buffered between, charged, etc. And the Firmware of the terminal equipment is not touched!
Stand-alone-operation
The connection to terminal equipment without processor can be carried out via the clocked shift register-interface. Up to 256 signals can be processed in each case for input and output. The Firmware of the UNIGATE® IC is responsible for the different number of input- and output-signals and it takes on control for this.
Configuration interface
The second serial interface of the UNIGATE® IC can be used as configuration-interface or as debug-interface for testing a Script.
Your advantage
By using the Deutschmann UNIGATE® IC-modules the development effort is reduced by estimated 70 to 80% and valuable time for market launch is saved. On account of the continuity of the Deutschmann UNIGATE® IC-series not only one bus is implemented with a single change of your electronic system, but rather the entire Fieldbus selection offered by Deutschmann as well as the offered buses based on Ethernet are available. Also the Script that has been generated once can practically be used without changes on the other Fieldbus- and Ethernet-based versions of the UNIGATE® IC-series. An adaptation of your own terminal equipment firmware is dropped.
Comment on the different Profibus-modules
The differences between the various UNIGATE IC-Profibus-modules are described in the document 'UG IC-PB-d+e.doc'. Select one of the Profibus-modules, click on 'DOWNLOAD' on the right side in the navigation and load the mentioned document.