New Single-Pair-Ethernet-Switch on ModBlox7™

EKF presents its first ModBlox7™-based product: The 7L600 is a robust single-pair Ethernet switch combining modularity with high computing power and state-of-the-art interfaces. The cost-effective switch is particularly suitable as a multifunctional gateway in a wide range of IIoT or retrofit applications. The on-board ARM CPU also enables it to serve as an edge computer for (real-time) data pre-processing and data collection.

ModBlox7™ meets SPE

Standardized modularity, high computing power at an affordable price and the use of the modern, IP-based single-pair Ethernet (SPE) transmission standard – these are the ingredients that EKF is looking for. The company played a key role in the standardization of the new PICMG standard ModBlox7™. It combines the advantages of modular standards such as CompactPCI® and CompactPCI® Serial with the typical box PC requirements such as cost efficiency, small form factor and low weight. The subdivision into different functional units enables a flexible system structure – even with modules from different manufacturers.

With the single-pair Ethernet standard, the switch fulfills another company focus that offers SPE-based switches in a wide variety of form factors and will continue to expand this product family.

7L600 – Single-Pair-Ethernet-Switch or Edge Computer?

The 7L600 offers seven 100 BASE-T1 ports and two 1000BASE-T uplinks in accordance with IEC 63171-6. The SPE ports are hi-pot isolated and fully compatible with the Open Alliance BroadR-Reach standard. Inside the switch is the 88Q5072 Ethernet controller from Marvell, which supports AVB and TSN and also enables uncomplicated configuration via local or remote management functions.

The Switch allows extensions as an option by an ARM-based mezzanine controller card. That is suitable for additional protocol support, switch management and real-time data processing, for example, and thus transforms the switch into an edge computer.