Certified software stacks for MPUs series

Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the PROFINET-certified IRT and PROFIdrive software stack for its RZ/T and RZ/N series of MPUs for industrial networking systems. The initial software versions are obtainable for the RZ/T2M MPU designed for servo motor control applications, and the RZ/N2L for industrial internet gateway applications, such as remote-IO or industrial Ethernet devices. Using its devices with this software stack eases the path for certification of customers' devices.

The new stack is the company's first certified PROFINET software solution that supports PROFINET IRT (Isochronous Real-Time) and PROFIdrive. PROFINET is the leading industrial Ethernet protocol for automation systems and enables high-speed communication in industrial automation equipment. Its highest performance class, PROFINET IRT provides precise and time-sensitive data transfer, making it ideal for real-time applications such as servo drives and motion control systems. This makes PROFINET particularly suited to applications including manufacturing, robotics and process control, where real-time operation is crucial.

"We are happy to extend our industrial Ethernet system support for the RZ/T and RZ/N series MPUs," said Mohamed Dogar, vice president of Embedded Processing Business Acceleration at Renesas. "We expect the outstanding market success that we achieved with our RZ/T and RZ/N MPU series to further accelerate with the introduction of our network stack integration. PROFINET is the market-leading industrial protocol, and we are delighted to have integrated the Siemens PROFINET IRT Device Development Kit on our devices."

"We are thrilled that our cooperation with Renesas has led to their first certified PROFINET IRT solutions using the Siemens PROFINET Device Development Kit," said Efrossini Tsouchnika, vice president of Control at Siemens Digital Industries. "Industrial customers can now enjoy seamless integration options provided by Renesas within the PROFINET ecosystem, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration as Renesas invests in future iterations of the PROFINET technology."

Implementing the company's certified PROFINET IRT stack encompasses all essential features required in industrial equipment communication including PROFINET RT (Real-Time) communication. The software supports cyclic data exchange with a PROFINET IO controller and can handle diagnostic, process, and status alarms as well as plug and pull alarms. It assigns IP addresses and device names through PROFINET and via the device application. It also includes fast startup functionality, shared device support, media redundancy (MRP), and system redundancy (S2).

PROFIdrive allows seamless integration of variable speed drives, servo motors, and other motion control devices into automation systems, ensuring efficient communication and operation. PROFIdrive standardises data exchange between devices, providing key parameters such as speed, torque, and position, which are crucial for precise control of drives. It supports real-time communication through PROFINET IRT and conventional Ethernet, enabling flexibility in various industrial applications.

Renesas implemented a certified PROFIdrive application example for Application Class 4. This includes the implementation of a drive object with a speed setpoint interface. It supports cyclic data exchange via standard telegrams 1, 2, and 3 and acyclic data exchange via the PROFIdrive parameter channel. Also, the application encompasses diagnostics and the state machine for the PROFIdrive General State Machine. It includes the PROFIdrive encoder channel with its respective encoder state machine and provides the simulation of a drive control system.