The Powerlink Starter Kit is a complete set of devices for building a Powerlink network and enables a quick start with the Powerlink technology. It contains a Controlled Node, which consists of a Powerlink FPGA module, a Phytec microcontroller module and a base board, together with a Managing Node PC card and all necessary software packages and drivers for the implementation of a Powerlink system.

• provide an easy way to explore the Powerlink technology, its performance and features
• set up a Powerlink reference network to perform tests with user specific Powerlink implementations
• provide a reference hardware/software design that can be easily integrated into a customer's device

Components and functions of the Starter Kit

Base Board
The base board connects the microcontroller module and the Powerlink FPGA module and also provides the power supply. The peripheral interfaces of the base board are an 8-bit digital input (DIP switches) and an 8-bit digital output (LEDs). Analog interfaces are provided by means of the analog output of the host processor module and a potentiometer as an input for the A/D converter of the host processor module.
The base board already comes with connectors for phyCORE-XC161, phyCORE-LPC2294 and eZdsp F2812 evaluation boards. Other CPUs can be connected via pin heads to the 16/32-bit memory bus or the SPI.

Microcontroller Module
The Phytec microcontroller module phyCORE-XC161 is used to run the embedded CN application. The module provides an XC161 microcontroller, 256 kB Flash, 512 kB SRAM and a 4 kB EEPROM.
The host API required to access the Powerlink FPGA module is included as C-source code. The API provides all necessary functions for configuring and starting the Powerlink FPGA module and also demonstrates, for example, creating objects in the object directory of the Powerlink FPGA module.

Powerlink FPGA Module
The Powerlink FPGA module offers the complete handling of the Powerlink protocol. The module is based on a single low cost Altera-FPGA, which can easily be integrated in automation devices alongside the existing application processor.
The FPGA has an integrated CPU (NIOS II), an Ethernet Controller and a HUB. Two RJ45 sockets are used to connect to the Ethernet cables. The module is equipped with RAM
and Flash memory for autonomous operation.
Device vendors can either integrate the Powerlink FPGA module or the hardware design directly in their own circuit. Customers’ own applications can thus be developed in advance of the actual target hardware based on various evaluation modules from Phytec (microcontroller) or Spectrum Digital (TI DSPs) using the Powerlink host API.

Powerlink PCI Card
The Powerlink PCI card provides the Managing Node functionality for the network. It is used by the PC-based control demo application. For implementing PC-based applications, the PCI card has a Windows driver API in C-source code.
In addition, a Windows-based control interface and a demo configuration for the Powerlink module are included in the scope of supply. The PCI card has a 4-port hub and 4 RJ45 connectors.

Powerlink Analysis Tool
The analysis tool can be used to trace the Powerlink network traffic and to display the Powerlink specific frame contents in detail. To run the analysis tool, a separate
standard Ethernet interface is required.

Contents of Delivery

• Base board for Powerlink FPGA module and microcontroller module including circuit diagram on CD
• Power pack
• phyCORE XC161 module with circuit diagram and manual
• Powerlink FPGA module with C-host API on CD, API manual
• Powerlink PCI card with driver for WIN2k/XP and demo program on CD
• Powerlink Analysis Software for Windows
• Ethernet patch cable, 2 m