Renesas Electronics announces availability of TPS-1 samples and TPS-1 starter kit

TOKYO, JAPAN: Renesas Electronics Corp. announced the availability of the TPS-1 PROFINET IO (input/output) device chip and the related TPS-1 starter kit based on the signed licensing agreement with KW-Software, a company of the Phoenix Contact Group and a leading provider of industrial solutions and technologies.

Through collaboration with KW-Software, Renesas provides the TPS-1 device and first level support through its sales network and KW-Software provides second level support and system support based on their competence in automation systems and software. The TPS-1 component – a single-chip PROFINET IO device interface – has been jointly developed by the companies Siemens and Phoenix Contact. KW-Software is a wholly owned subsidiary of Phoenix Contact.

The TPS-1 is a highly integrated single-chip device used to build factory and machine networks that support PROFINET, an Ethernet-based next-generation industrial protocol promoted through the PROFIBUS & PROFINET International Organization with more than 1,400 members worldwide including Siemens and Phoenix Contact, both leading vendors of industrial equipment in Germany.

KW-Software is a leading international supplier of solutions and technologies in the field of IEC 61131 industrial control, safety, and network technology. Collaboration with KW-Software enables Renesas to sell and distribute TPS-1 products and the starter kit through Renesas’ global channels to support acceleration of the adoption of the PROFINET standard.

The TPS-1 device, to be sold by Renesas under the terms of the agreement, is a device for Ethernet-based internal factory networks with the following features:

* Two Ethernet connection ports with integrated IRT-capable switch and PHYs.
* Built-in PROFINET industrial protocol with RT and IRT support, Conformance Class C.
* No external RAM required (reduced system-level cost).

In particular, the TPS-1 supports PROFINET IRT, which delivers the best-in-class real-time performance with the PROFINET protocol. In addition, the TPS-1 device is developed based on design concepts that include maintaining component costs at a level no higher than the earlier protocols in order to lower the hurdles to converting existing equipment that supports the PROFIBUS and INTERBUS industrial protocols.

Specifically, the TPS-1 device incorporates necessary memory, thereby reducing the number of additional components needed. Therefore, the TPS-1 device is ideal for applications such as compact remote I/O devices, drives and other industrial peripherals. The starter kit is available to allow a quick and easy implementation of the TPS-1 device into their systems.

Samples of the TPS-1 are available now, priced at €19 per piece. Mass production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2012 in Europe, the US and Japan. Renesas intends to market TPS-1 products supporting the PROFINET protocol to the Ethernet-based factory network field, a market which is expected to grow at a two-digit annual rate.