Infineon expands XMC7000 microcontroller with six new protocols

Infineon Technologies and RT-Labs have collaborated to enhance the capabilities of the triple core XMC7000 industrial microcontroller by integrating six Fieldbus and Ethernet-based protocols into its firmware. This development opens up a world of possibilities for various industrial applications, including servo drives, I/O modules, robotic arms, industrial gateways, PLCs, and more.

The firmware, accessible through Infineon’s ModusToolbox development platform, provides seamless access to major industrial communication protocols. A GitHub repository hosts the middleware, ensuring that developers have access to up-to-date and easily accessible libraries for protocols such as PROFINET RT, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, CC-Link, Modbus/TCP, and EtherCAT Master. Additionally, Infineon offers code examples and comprehensive documentation to support developers in their projects.

The XMC7000 is equipped with dual ARM Cortex-M7 and M0+ cores, along with a variety of peripherals tailored for industrial motor control applications. This powerful combination of hardware and firmware integration is designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern industrial automation systems.

According to Panagiotis Venardos, Senior Product Manager Microcontroller at Infineon, “Infineon’s XMC microcontrollers have a long-standing reputation for enabling advancements on the factory floor. With Industry 4.0 gaining momentum, the integration of established Fieldbus and Ethernet-based protocols becomes increasingly crucial for industrial automation. Our partnership with RT-Labs further strengthens this effort by leveraging their expertise in Ethernet and Fieldbus protocol stacks.”

CMO of RT-Labs, Marcus Ekerhult, shared his perspective on the collaboration, stating, “At RT-Labs, we are committed to simplifying industrial communication processes. As a Premium Partner with Infineon, we are excited to introduce plug-and-play connectivity to ModusToolbox. By incorporating leading protocols and U-Phy technology, developers can expedite their development cycles and bring products to market faster, all while ensuring reliability and compliance. This partnership holds great promise for driving innovation in the industrial automation sector.”