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PRESS RELEASE
A redundant optical network for real-time communications
Mitsubishi Electric Supports New Gigabit
Industrial Ethernet Open Standard
Ratingen, 27 November 2007 – Mitsubishi Electric now supports the high-speed CC-Link IE network for industrial communications based on the Industrial Ethernet standard. The
company launched its first products for the new network
standard of the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) at this
year’s SPS/IPC/Drives trade show in Nuremberg, Germany.
Using the latest cutting-edge technologies, the new system
builds on the Standard Ethernet protocol but adds determinism and redundancy along with many other useful enhancements for industrial applications. CC-Link IE (Control and
Communication Link Industrial Ethernet) is the first fullyintegrated gigabit network technology for industrial automation to be offered as an open standard.
As many industry observers have noted, the use of Ethernet is
increasing in automation applications, moving step by step down
the automation ladder and reaching directly into the heart of applications. ARC, the noted American automation research group,
recently reported that sales of Industrial Ethernet related items
doubled between 2004 and 2006 and is likely to continue to grow
at 29% per year at least until 2011. But not all Industrial Ethernet
solutions on the market today provide the resilience and reliability
that users require. This was why Mitsubishi Electric has decided to
develop products for the new CLPA open standard CC-Link IE.
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CC-Link IE is an optical industrial network system with a redundant
architecture that enables extremely high-speed and reliable data
communications between controllers via Ethernet links. The high
data transfer rate of one gigabit per second is more than enough to
cater to the real-time communications requirements of modern
industry, with bandwidth reserves for future developments.
Integrated communications
The CC-Link IE architecture and protocols are based on international specifications and standards. No additional components or
equipment are required. This significantly simplifies integration in
existing IT structures, ensuring a seamless flow of information
throughout all levels of the organisation from the shop floor to
company management.
This new generation network developed by CLPA is based on Industrial Ethernet, but it has also benefited from Mitsubishi Electric’s tried and tested networking and Ethernet technologies.
Mitsubishi is one of the founding members of the global organization and has very extensive experience in the development of networking technologies and solutions that have proved themselves
over many years of use in heavy-duty industrial environments. CCLink IE represents a significant leap forward in technology compared to the copper-based Ethernet networks that are currently
used in industrial applications, which are currently limited to maximum data transfer rates of 100 megabits per second.
Redundant double ring fibre-optics topology
The new gigabit Ethernet technology has a redundant architecture
and connects all stations in the network with robust fibre-optics
cabling. The double-ring topology ensures that local network interruptions such as cable breaks or the failure of individual stations
do not have any negative consequences. And if both conductors
are severed in a network segment the data traffic is automatically
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re-routed so that communications can continue normally. Integrated diagnostics monitor all network functions, enabling fast error
localisation and correction. All these factors provide more security
and reliability, increasing the availability of plant and machinery.
In addition to its reliability, the ring topology allows very large total
network lengths of up to 66 kilometres. Up to 120 stations can be
integrated in each network and up to 239 of these networks can be
linked with one another. The maximum cable length between two
stations is 550 metres.
In addition to supporting cyclical data communications with consistent cycle periods that are independent of the current load, CCLink IE also transfers event-based information like messages and
alarms in real time. Data can be sent from any station to any other
station and read by the other station, even across multiple networks. This means that any controller can be programmed and
monitored from any network station. In addition to this, the network
also supports multitask and broadcast functions.
Simple installation and configuration
The cabling and connectors in the new Industrial Ethernet system
are also firmly based on international standards, facilitating fast
and simple installation. The standard multi-mode fibre-optics cabling and LC connectors are immune to electromagnetic interference, ensuring reliable operation. No programming is required –
configuration is Plug & Play using simple communications modules.
At the launch of CC-Link IE, Mitsubishi Electric is offering the basic
components for this future-proof gigabit technology, consisting of a
network module for the MELSEC System Q automation platform
and a network interface card for personal computers.
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Leading network standard
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) is an international organisation with over 900 member companies. The common goal of the
members is to further the development and dissemination of the
standardised network technologies CC-Link, CC-Link Safety, CCLink/LT and CC-Link IE. CC-Link is already the leading fieldbus
protocol in Asia and it is now also becoming increasingly popular in
Europe and America.
Technical Data

Basic communication function
Communication speed / data link control
Network topology
Data transmission reliability method
Data transmission control method
Size of network shared memory
Communication medium
Connector
Number of stations
Station-to-station distance *)
Overall distance *)
*)
Network shared memory communication
(Cyclic communication: real time communication)
 Message communication
(Transient communication: non real time communication)
1 Gigabit per second / based on Ethernet standard
Loop
Double loop
Token passing
Maximum 256 kilobyte
Multimode optical fiber cable (IEEE 802.3z)
LC duplex connector (IEC 61754-20 LC)
Maximum 120 stations
Maximum 550 metre
Maximum 66 kilometre
when multi mode optical fiber is used
Press Office:
Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.
Factory Automation European Business Group
Karin Müller
Gothaer Str. 8
40880 Ratingen, Germany
www.mitsubishi-automation.de
Tel:
+49 (0)2102 486-6130
Fax: +49 (0)2102 486-3548
[email protected]
Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.
Gothaer Str. 8
Redaktionsbüro Mediakonzept
Büro Ratingen
Dr. Norbert Poßberg
Krummenweger Str. 7
40885 Ratingen, Germany
Tel:
+49 (0)2102 399-817
Fax: +49 (0)2102 399-818
[email protected]
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Germany
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