Congatec to participate in SF+AW 2021 from the 8th to the 10th
Open standard-based implementation of real-time Ethernet
Preparing the TSN Edge Computing Platform Demo


Congatec Korea will participate in the 'Smart Factory & Automation Industry Exhibition 2021', held at COEX in Seoul from September 8 to 10, and showcase its IIoT edge computing platform.

Congatec introduces a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) supported platform that enables real-time Ethernet communication based on open standards. TSN supports single-pair Ethernet and can be used as a replacement for fieldbuses as well as patented industrial Ethernet protocols.

It also introduces edge computing platforms equipped with Intel's latest high-performance processors, such as Tiger Lake-H. COM-HPC clients and the latest COM Express Type 6 modules, equipped with 11th Gen Intel® Core™ vPro, Intel® Xeon® W-11000E, and Intel® Celeron® processors, are designed for demanding IoT Industry 4.0 applications and support real-time Ethernet communication edge computer designs based on open standard TSN technology.

Kim Yun-seon, CEO of Congatec Korea, said, “As the use of Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) and Surface Mounting Technology (SMT) machines interacting with collaborative robots and autonomous logistics vehicles in smart factories increases, deterministic control is required,” adding, “Open standards necessary for real-time communication, such as TSN, are the next step to expanding the IIoT industry.”

◇ Intel, AMD, and NXP-based TSN Edge Computing Platform

Congatec demonstrates in real-time how to configure systems with TSN interactions using Congatec’s workload integration demo system. Designed in collaboration with Intel and Real Time Systems, this platform integrates three pre-configured virtual machines to execute various tasks as a deterministic process on a single platform, operating even when one virtual machine is booting. It is designed as a collaborative system and is pre-configured to include vision and AI for situational awareness.

For OEMs requiring edge server-level computing capabilities, a live demo based on the COM Express Type 7 Server-on-Module powered by AMD EPYC 3000 embedded processors is also being unveiled. The processors, equipped with up to 16 cores, support edge workload consolidation by utilizing virtual machines based on Realtime Systems' hypervisor technology. Congatec supports high-end embedded platform system integration by designing cooling solutions suitable for processors supporting up to 100W Thermal Design Power (TDP).

A product set to play a major role in the growth of embedded systems supporting server-grade TSN is the upcoming COM-HPC server-grade computer-on-module specification. PICMG recently announced a Platform Management Interface (PMI) that enables remote system management even out-of-band. Congatec plans to demonstrate its modules to engineers to facilitate the adoption of this approach in next-generation edge server products.

A demonstration of low-power performance levels will also be conducted. Flagship products with TSN support include the Intel Atom x6000E Series processors and Intel Celeron, Pentium N, and J Series processors (codename Elkart Lake) installed in SMARC, Qseven, COM Express Compact, Mini Computer on Module, as well as Pico-ITX Single Board Computers (SBCs).

Following the demonstration of the SMARC and Qseven platforms based on NXP i.MX 8 processor technology, NXP's latest i.MX 8M Plus processor will be demonstrated. The latest ultra-low-power SMARC conga-SMX8-Plus and the upcoming Qseven conga-QMX8-Plus modules, equipped with machine learning and deep learning capabilities, enable industrial embedded systems to perceive and analyze their surroundings for context awareness, visual inspection, identification, surveillance, and tracking, as well as gesture-based contactless machine operation and AR. Both of these platforms support TSN.

OEMs requiring TSN expertise can receive comprehensive support from Congatec. As an embedded computing vendor with experience in direct software implementation of TSN at the Ethernet controller and CPU levels, Congatec possesses extensive expertise.