www.baldormotion.com5-20 Input / Output MN19435.6.2 Ethernet POWERLINKMotiFlex e100 supports the deterministic Ethernet POWERLINK (EPL) protocol. This protocolprovides very precise and predictable ‘real-time’ communication over a 100 Mbit/s (100Base-T)Fast Ethernet (IEEE 802.3u) connection. This makes it suitable for the transmission of controland feedback signals between the MotiFlex e100 and other EPL enabled controllers such asNextMove e100. The EPL protocol implemented in Mint is based on the CANopen DS402 DeviceProfile for Drives and Motion Control.MotiFlex e100 incorporates a built-in repeating hub, providing two ports for connection to otherequipment. This allows nodes to be connected as a ‘daisy-chain’ network of up to 5 nodes,avoiding the need for additional hubs. If the network comprises more than 5 nodes an externalhub must be used, with up to 5 nodes per port. The structure of the physical network is informalso does not need to reflect the logical relationship between nodes. Ethernet switches must not beused in EPL networks as their timing cannot be guaranteed.NextMove e100Manager Node‘Daisy chained’ networkMotiFlex e100DriveMotiFlex e100DriveMotiFlex e100DriveMotiFlex e100DriveFigure 61 - Simple daisy-chained EPL networkNextMove e100Manager Node Machine 1MotiFlex e100 Drives 1-5External hub Machine 1MotiFlex e100 Drives 6-10NextMove e100Controlled Node1 2 3 4 57 8 9 1011 12 13 14Machine 2MotiFlex e100 Drives 11-146Figure 62 - Example multi-branch EPL network
