CC-Link IE Field Basic Protocol Introduction and Application Sharing

On Thursday (February 29, 2024), Tianjin SENTINEL Electronics was honored to participate in the CC-Link family product seminar in Wuxi, organized by the CLPA Association. Manager Li from SENTINEL's Wuxi branch gave a detailed introduction to the industrial Ethernet protocol and CC-Link IE Field Basic related application cases, as well as the CC-Link IE Field Basic protocol family products at the meeting. The article also includes a video of the event, sharing it with you in real-time.

Protocol Introduction

In the era of intelligent manufacturing, pursuing high efficiency and low cost has become the primary goal of enterprises. Digitalization promotes efficiency improvement, while the reduction in labor costs relies on the networking of intelligent devices and machines. To build an "all-encompassing" smart factory network architecture, industrial real-time Ethernet has become the preferred technology for connecting various industrial devices, including CC-Link TSN, CC-Link IE Basic, Profinet, EtherCAT, etc. When choosing these protocols, users should consider scenario applicability, transmission rate, data throughput, and network topology, as well as the specific protocols that may require dedicated hardware support.

For small-scale systems that do not require high-speed control, the high cost and complex development process of industrial Ethernet may seem too burdensome. In this case, the CC-Link IE Field Basic protocol offers an economical, simple solution. This protocol is implemented on standard 100Mbps Ethernet and is compatible with communication through software development, greatly reducing the difficulty and cost of networking control devices, while supporting the visual connection of devices and integration of information systems.

Especially, Mitsubishi's PLC with an Ethernet port supports the CC-Link IE Field Basic protocol, saving the cost of additional network modules. SENTINEL in Tianjin has developed bus modules with IP67 protection level, including 16DI or 16DO, as well as modules with IP20 level, all of which have passed the CC-Link Association's conformity test.

Application Cases

• Electric Vehicle Battery Swap Station Control System: In companies like BAIC New Energy and NIO, which promote the battery swap mode, SENTINEL's CC-Link IE Field Basic bus modules are used to connect a large number of position detection and control components, simplifying the system's wiring needs while the 100Mbps communication rate meets the requirements of the control system.

• TBR Tire Conveyance Line: A well-known brand's all-steel radial tire blank conveyance line adopted the CC-Link IE Field Basic protocol. The line has distributed installations of multiple electrical boxes, using CM series modules to meet the signal collection and transmission needs of the conveyance line.

Product Introduction

• IP67 Series: Modules with a robust plastic casing and metal connectors, providing reliable and stable performance, even in harsh environments. The module design includes two 7/8" power interfaces and two Ethernet interfaces, as well as eight M12 I/O interfaces, supporting 16 points of digital input/output.

• IP20 Series: Suitable for cabinet installation, the 32-channel modules are compact, saving space. All connection terminals are located at the front, making installation and maintenance convenient.

• IO-Link Master: SENTINEL's IO-Link Master supports the CC-Link IE Field Basic protocol, enabling bidirectional communication from controllers to field devices, supporting remote maintenance and smart diagnostics, improving system stability. (This product is currently on sale, for more details, please refer to)

Aging Test

Since 2015, SENTINEL has built a configuration network for the purpose of testing program errors and conducting continuous aging tests on products to verify their long-term stability. These tested products have been running continuously for nearly 10 years without any issues.

Service Support

In terms of customer support, SENTINEL's official website and WeChat account provide comprehensive product information, selection manuals, CAD and Eplan files, as well as configuration files and tutorials, ensuring users can easily obtain the information they need.