Paul Boughton
Sercos International (SI) is to provide an open-source software driver library for the Sercos III real-time Ethernet communication system master implementation. According to SI, Sercos III will therefore be the first high-performance real-time protocol to make driver software available as source code, without any license fees and without any usage limitations.
SI is co-operating with the Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL) to disclose the Sercos III master driver. The OSADL eG is an international co-operative that promotes and co-ordinates the usage of open-source software for machine and plant control systems.
Carsten Emde, the managing director of OSADL, comments: "The reason for the high quality and stability of open-source software is the large number of developers and testers due to the open source software license. Progress is not just dependent on the resources of one single company. Anyone who uses the free software makes the commitment to publish their improvements and make them available to other users."
Peter Lutz, managing director of Sercos International, adds: "With the availability of the Sercos III master library it will become much easier for manufacturers to develop a Sercos III master and to benefit from future improvements and extensions of the software."
Machine builders are recognising a huge demand for open control platforms based on modern real-time Ethernet protocols. The Linux open source operating system is increasingly establishing itself as a standard in this market. Therefore it is advantageous for vendors and users that the Sercos III master library will become part of mainline Linux and that it now will be supplied under a license compatible with Linux.
Sercos (SErial Real-time COmmunication System) is one of the leading digital interfaces for communication between controls, drives and decentralised peripherals, with a 20-year history. Sercos I was internationally standardised in 1995, followed by the faster and more flexible Sercos II in 1999. With the third generation, Sercos III, speed is again increased; and now, in addition to fibre optics, it enables the use of CAT-5 copper cables. Sercos III transfers data packets via the Ethernet and the TCP/IP protocol, which is also the basis for the Internet. Numerous safety functions in combination with a full-duplex transmission ensure trouble-free real-time operation of the communication system.
For more information, visit www.sercos.com
SI is co-operating with the Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL) to disclose the Sercos III master driver. The OSADL eG is an international co-operative that promotes and co-ordinates the usage of open-source software for machine and plant control systems.
Carsten Emde, the managing director of OSADL, comments: "The reason for the high quality and stability of open-source software is the large number of developers and testers due to the open source software license. Progress is not just dependent on the resources of one single company. Anyone who uses the free software makes the commitment to publish their improvements and make them available to other users."
Peter Lutz, managing director of Sercos International, adds: "With the availability of the Sercos III master library it will become much easier for manufacturers to develop a Sercos III master and to benefit from future improvements and extensions of the software."
Machine builders are recognising a huge demand for open control platforms based on modern real-time Ethernet protocols. The Linux open source operating system is increasingly establishing itself as a standard in this market. Therefore it is advantageous for vendors and users that the Sercos III master library will become part of mainline Linux and that it now will be supplied under a license compatible with Linux.
Sercos (SErial Real-time COmmunication System) is one of the leading digital interfaces for communication between controls, drives and decentralised peripherals, with a 20-year history. Sercos I was internationally standardised in 1995, followed by the faster and more flexible Sercos II in 1999. With the third generation, Sercos III, speed is again increased; and now, in addition to fibre optics, it enables the use of CAT-5 copper cables. Sercos III transfers data packets via the Ethernet and the TCP/IP protocol, which is also the basis for the Internet. Numerous safety functions in combination with a full-duplex transmission ensure trouble-free real-time operation of the communication system.
For more information, visit www.sercos.com
