bluecom
Brand: Bachmann
Introduction
bluecom defines an open real-time transmission protocol optimized for the requirements of diverse Ethernet-based network structures that have grown over time. Structures such as these can be found in the networking of alternative energy plants, for instance, the so-called virtual power stations.
bluecom connects hundreds of network devices deterministically and is not assigned to proprietary extensions of Ethernet standard IEEE 802.3. The user is free to choose the topology, the transmission medium and the transmission rate. As a result, bluecom renders the most cost-efficient real-time networking of new and pre-existing systems possible.
Key Features:
- Real-time networking of more than 500 sub-stations with cycle time of less than 20 ms at 250 bytes of bidirectional data transmission
- Compatible with every MX, MPC, MH and MC series processor module
- Ethernet-based real-time protocol without specific requirements for networking topology
- Optimized for speed and bandwidth utilization
- Efficiency by design (low CPU and networking utilization)
- Hot-plug functionality when removing and adding network stations
- Parallel communication via the same interfaces and media, without impact on real-time capabilities (HTTP, FTP, video, VoIP etc.)
- Prioritization of Ethernet traffic acc. to IEEE 802.3q
- Configurable bandwidth limit
- Subnet formation and cascading
- Multi-master functionality
- Integrated error detection and diagnostics functionality
- Configurable I/O mapping of network variables
- Programming and diagnostic interface in IEC 61131-3 and C/C++
Technical Specifications
Item / Item-No.
| Item | Item-No. |
|---|---|
| bluecom CL | 00019331-61 |
| bluecom CL AMT | 00019331-71 |
| bluecom RT | 00019331-63 |
| bluecom DL | 00020721-64 |
| bluecom DL AMT | 00020721-74 |
Rationale / Type / Compatibility
| Protocol type | Ethernet-based real-time protocol |
| Ethernet compatibility | Yes, as per IEEE 802.3q (ISO/OSI layer 1+2) |
| Registered IEEE Ethertype | 0x892D |
| Transmission medium | Independent of transmission medium |
| Gateway functionality | Wireless communication (802.11) permissible once the jitter Requirements have been taken care of |
| Fieldbus | Interface of different network types on the application level |
| Control station level | CAN, Profibus DP, Profinet, Modbus UDP + TCP, EtherCAT |
Topology / Networking
| Topologies | Star, bus, ring1), mesh network |
| Dimension | In compliance with IEEE 802.3 - ≥ 2000 m per network section via fiber optic connection |
| Transfer rates supported | 100 Mbit/s, 1 Gbit/s1) |
| Time synchronization | Via PTP (IEEE 1588)2) |
| Switches / infrastructure | Standard Ethernet IEEE 802.3q |
| Parallel data traffic | Yes, possible |
Configuration / Programming
| Configuration | Solution Center (support via wizards) |
| Remote configuration | Yes (Ethernet LAN, Internet) |
| Network configuration | Solution Center (support via wizards) |
| Programming | IEC 61131-3, C/C++ user interfaces integrated, Library functions |
| Software interfaces | API for sending and receiving and for monitoring and checking the full and proper delivery of packets, as well as the management of I/O stations |
| Network variables | Yes (configuration of variables at the endpoints automatically generates bluecom communication channel) |
| Adding/removing slaves | Yes, possible (hot plug) |
Diagnostics / Monitoring
| I/O live display | Yes (SolutionCenter, IEC 61131-3, C, C++) |
| I/O network variables | Yes, for every I/O channel (status, value) |
| Channel status | Yes, for every bluecom channel |
| Error status | Yes (SolutionCenter, IEC 61131-3, C, C++) |
| Diagnostics | Yes (SolutionCenter, IEC 61131-3, C, C++) |
| Statistics | Yes (SolutionCenter, IEC 61131-3, C, C++) |
| Network monitor | Solution Center |
| Network analysis | Yes (by Wireshark plug-in, Wireshark data are generated automatically on the controller) |
| Bandwidth limitation | Monitoring and limitation of real-time communication bandwidth use included (adjustable, pre-configured: 35 Mbit/s) |
| Jitter monitoring | Yes |
| QoS | Yes (IEEE 802.3q) |
Performance Data
| Number of I/O stations | Max. 500 *** (restricted by software) |
| Cycle time | 200 μs to 1 s *** (any intermediate values configurable) |
| Transmission frame cyclic | 0 to 1400 bytes per payload unit |
| Transmission frame acyclic | 32000 bytes per payload unit |
| Capacity under test conditions | Master CPU: MPC293, slave CPU: MX213, 10 ms cycle, 96 slaves, 50-byte cyclic data exchange bidirectional to each I/O station, transmission medium copper |
| CPU load only Protocol | Master: 17%, slave: 1,7% |
| CPU load (Protocol, GetData + SetData) | Master: 27%, slave: 3% |
| Network load | Master: 9 Mbit/s, slave: 0.082 Mbit/s |
Installation
| Installation medium | CD ROM or network |
| Installation tool | Solution Center |
| Upgrading existing systems | By software possible / licence required |
System Prerequisites
| Automation equipment | M1 CPUs of the MX200 series or better (application licence) |
| Software | Porting information is available for implementation on external equipment (developer licence) |
| Network | MSys / MxCCore / M-BASE V3.80 or higher |
| Network Infrastructure | Industrial standard managed switch (unmanaged switch with appropriate configuration) |
Order Codes
| Item | Item no. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| bluecom CL | 00019331-61 | License to operate the bluecom communication software on any number of Bachmann controller CPUs (Redistribution exclusively together with CPU modules). |
| bluecom CL AMT | 00019331-71 | One year extension of product support and update delivery for the bluecom Company License. |
| bluecom RT | 00019331-63 | Runtime License to operate the bluecom communication software on one controller CPU. Enables the communication with one or several bluecom compliant devices. Extension of product support and update delivery is covered by a valid M-Base Annual Maintenance. |
| bluecom DL | 00020721-64 | License to develop bluecom compatible products on third party devices by any number of employees in one location (Porting License). |
| bluecom DL AMT | 00020721-74 | One year extension of product support and update delivery for the bluecom Porting License. |
Bachmann electronic GmbH. 08/2021 Specification subject to change - the product's characteristics are exclusively governed by the data of the respective user manual.
