IPCs: Central automation platforms under new security requirements
Industrial PCs are increasingly taking on tasks in automation that were long reserved for traditional PLC architectures. Soft PLC concepts, motion control, robotics, and machine vision are now being joined by the growing convergence of IT and OT as well as the implementation of AI-based applications. As a result, IPCs are increasingly becoming the central platform of modern machines and plants. At the same time, however, the complexity of industrial communication is increasing significantly. Users currently face several key challenges:
Rapid integration of industrial communication with PC cards
The high computing power of modern industrial PCs does not change one central challenge of industrial networks: real-time communication continues to place special demands on determinism, cycle times, and protocol handling,” says Simon Fischer, Product Manager for PC Cards at Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH. At the same time, the number of different communication standards, such as PROFINET, EtherCAT, or EtherNet/IP, that machine builders and device manufacturers must support in parallel is increasing, according to the expert from the industrial communication specialist based in Hattersheim near Frankfurt.
PC cards for industrial communication handle these tasks independently of the actual host system. They specifically decouple industrial communication from the application, thereby reducing the workload on the IPC. Protocol stacks, real-time mechanisms, and network interfaces are already implemented on the card. This simplifies integration and shortens development times.
There is another aspect as well: industrial systems often remain in use for many years or even decades. PC cards for industrial communication must therefore remain available, updatable, and maintainable over the long term. These communication cards also simplify migration and retrofit projects because communication interfaces can be modernized independently of the actual host system. This lifecycle approach is becoming increasingly important, especially in light of regulatory requirements such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
New PC cards for secure PCI Express-based industrial communication
In summary: Different network standards, short development times, and rising cybersecurity requirements are increasing the pressure on manufacturers of PC-based automation solutions. At the same time, industrial communication interfaces must remain available over the long term, support updates, and be flexibly integrated.
With the new cifX PCIE90-RE and cifX LPCIE90-RE PCI Express cards, Hilscher offers a communication solution for modern IPC architectures. Both cards are based on the multiprotocol-capable netX 90 communication controller and support Industrial Ethernet protocols such as PROFINET IO-Device, EtherCAT SubDevice, and EtherNet/IP Adapter, but also fieldbuses such as PROFIBUS, on a shared hardware platform.
In addition, the cards support IIoT protocols such as OPC UA and MQTT in parallel with real-time communication. This allows machine and process data to be made available directly for edge or cloud applications. Switching between the respective network protocols is performed via firmware – without any hardware changes.
![Industrial Communication in IPCs Is Becoming a Security Issue]( "Industrial Communication in IPCs Is Becoming a Security Issue")
Cybersecurity has also been integrated directly into the communication platform. Functions such as Secure Boot, signed firmware, encrypted communication, and certificate management support machine builders in addressing CRA requirements at an early stage.
Thanks to its uniform platform approach with shared drivers, APIs, and tools, Hilscher also reduces integration effort across different communication solutions. This simplifies the development, maintenance, and migration of existing systems throughout long product life cycles.
Industrial PCs are increasingly taking on tasks in automation that were long reserved for traditional PLC architectures. Soft PLC concepts, motion control, robotics, and machine vision are now being joined by the growing convergence of IT and OT as well as the implementation of AI-based applications. As a result, IPCs are increasingly becoming the central platform of modern machines and plants. At the same time, however, the complexity of industrial communication is increasing significantly. Users currently face several key challenges:
- connecting different network standards
- limited development time and strong competitive pressure
- demanding technical requirements combined with long life cycles
- stricter cybersecurity regulations
Rapid integration of industrial communication with PC cards
The high computing power of modern industrial PCs does not change one central challenge of industrial networks: real-time communication continues to place special demands on determinism, cycle times, and protocol handling,” says Simon Fischer, Product Manager for PC Cards at Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH. At the same time, the number of different communication standards, such as PROFINET, EtherCAT, or EtherNet/IP, that machine builders and device manufacturers must support in parallel is increasing, according to the expert from the industrial communication specialist based in Hattersheim near Frankfurt.
PC cards for industrial communication handle these tasks independently of the actual host system. They specifically decouple industrial communication from the application, thereby reducing the workload on the IPC. Protocol stacks, real-time mechanisms, and network interfaces are already implemented on the card. This simplifies integration and shortens development times.
There is another aspect as well: industrial systems often remain in use for many years or even decades. PC cards for industrial communication must therefore remain available, updatable, and maintainable over the long term. These communication cards also simplify migration and retrofit projects because communication interfaces can be modernized independently of the actual host system. This lifecycle approach is becoming increasingly important, especially in light of regulatory requirements such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
New PC cards for secure PCI Express-based industrial communication
In summary: Different network standards, short development times, and rising cybersecurity requirements are increasing the pressure on manufacturers of PC-based automation solutions. At the same time, industrial communication interfaces must remain available over the long term, support updates, and be flexibly integrated.
With the new cifX PCIE90-RE and cifX LPCIE90-RE PCI Express cards, Hilscher offers a communication solution for modern IPC architectures. Both cards are based on the multiprotocol-capable netX 90 communication controller and support Industrial Ethernet protocols such as PROFINET IO-Device, EtherCAT SubDevice, and EtherNet/IP Adapter, but also fieldbuses such as PROFIBUS, on a shared hardware platform.
| 型號 | 介面規格 | 適用情境 |
| cifX PCIE90-RE | 標準 PCI Express | 一般工業電腦與高效能控制系統 |
| cifX LPCIE90-RE | 半高型PCI Express | 緊湊型設備、嵌入式PC |
| CIFX HPCIE90-RE\F | Mini PCI Express 半尺寸 | 空間受限的系統 |
| CIFX M224290BM-RE\F | M.2 2242 Key B+M | 具M.2插槽的小尺寸IPC |
| CIFX M223090AE-RE\F | M.2 2230 Key A+E | 具M.2插槽的小尺寸IPC |
Cybersecurity has also been integrated directly into the communication platform. Functions such as Secure Boot, signed firmware, encrypted communication, and certificate management support machine builders in addressing CRA requirements at an early stage.
Thanks to its uniform platform approach with shared drivers, APIs, and tools, Hilscher also reduces integration effort across different communication solutions. This simplifies the development, maintenance, and migration of existing systems throughout long product life cycles.