New features enhance Powerlink V.1.1.0

The Ethernet Powerlink Standardization Group (EPSG) has released the Powerlink specification V.1.1.0. New features have been added by using reserved bits. Improvements include complete integration of high availability functionality and greater bandwidth for the asynchronous phase. Until now, users implemented high-availability Powerlink networks by modifying the protocol's address management through in-house developments, allowing for on-the-fly address changes to redundant control systems. The 1.1.0 version now supports the integration of redundant Managing Nodes (RMN) by default. What's more, the current specification extends the asynchronous phase. This part of the cycle transfers non-time-critical data, as opposed to the isochronous phase, which is used for time-critical process data transfers that consume the bulk of the cycle. Until now, only one frame could be transferred during the asynchronous phase; the new specification allows for the transfer of several frames.

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