SSV has used embedded Linux in two Ethernet device servers for the industrial automation market. The IGW/800 and IGW/900 can add an Ethernet interface to serial machines in factories, building control systems, and automotive applications, thereby increasing cable lengths and enabling them to send email or be controlled remotely.

The small SSV devices are less than an inch thick
According to SSV, Ethernet offers many advantages over serial communications protocols like RS-232/422 and RS-485 that have become standard in industrial automation. Yet, device upgrade costs are often high, the company says. Its small, inexpensive device servers provide an after-market option for upgrading devices with serial interfaces to Ethernet.

What's under the hood?

The IGW/800 and IGW/900 are fanless devices with high-impact plastic cases that support DIN-rail mounting (shown at right). They measure 0.9 x 3.5 x 4.24 inches (22.5 x 90 x 108mm).

Both devices are based on SSV's 32-bit gumstick-sized DIL/NetPC SBC (single board computer) with Motorola Coldfire Processor and 66 MHz clock rate. SSV has supported Linux on a number of variations of the Dil/NetPC SBC, including those based on AMD, StrongARM, and Altera FPGA running the NIOS II softcore processors. SSV also sells a Linux-based industrial terminal based on the Dil/NetPC.

Both the IGW/800 and IGW/900 offer a standard RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet port, along with one RS-232 port. The IGW/900 additionally offers a CAN (computer area network) bus. CAN is an emerging standard used primarily in automotive applications. IGW models are also available with a second RS-232/422 or RS485 port, according to SSV.

Both devices boot from 8MB of Flash memory, and include 16MB of RAM.

Both devices also have screw terminals for a 12-24VDC power supply connection, and four status LEDs that show activity on each of the wires, as well as power supply status.

Software side

The devices come pre-installed with embedded Linux, along with a variety of open source software, including a Web server and a Telnet server and client. SSV also supports the free eCos OS on its Coldfire-based Dil/NetPC SBC.

“High performance and individual programmability make the IGW/800 and IGW/900 the right solution for an easy, fast and economical Ethernet integration of industrial components,” said SSV spokesperson Jörg Neumann.

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