Depending on the application, more or less signals are required at the respective unit within the machine. Some machine builders also want a central location where all connection lines converge. In this case, modules with a high signal density and great flexibility in the configurable signal type have an advantage.
Input Signals
xtremeBLOCK offers eight analog inputs for the signal ranges 0 ... 20 mA as well as 0 ... 10 V with a resolution of 12 bit. Each analog input can also be used for digital signals (PNP or NPN input selectable). Four digital-specific frequency inputs up to 10 kHz are available, on which two encoders can also be operated. All 12 inputs are protected against overvoltages and short circuits, and each channel has an orange status LED. If required, up to 14 additional digital inputs can be provided by re-configuration of the output channels.
Output Signals
On the actuator side, four digital and four current-controlled PWMi outputs are available, which can be loaded with 3 A each. For larger loads, six additional PWM outputs with up to 7 A of output current and a maximum switching frequency of 1.5 kHz are provided. All outputs are protected against overload and short-circuit, and the current of each output can be queried via the bus. The total current is a remarkable 26 A, and up to 13 A can be looped to a subsequent module.
Communication
xtremeBLOCK can be connected to the controller via the CANopen protocol or CAN Layer 2.0B with the default setting of 250 kbit/s or alternatively 125 / 500 / 1.000 kbit/s. The base node ID 48 (0x30) is preconfigured in the delivery state and can be changed via SDO. In addition, an address offset can also be set on the hardware side via coding plugs (node ID plugs) in the range +1 to +8. An xtremeBLOCK SAE J1939 variant is in preparation.
Robust and Durable
xtremeBLOCK is completely encapsulated, complies with protection classes IP67 and IP69K, and can be used at ambient temperatures from -40°C to +85°C. This robust I/O module is mounted by means of four M6 screws. All connectors are designed as 4-pole AT / DT sockets with solid, nickel-plated pin contacts, which allows a total current of 26 A on the supply side. With an operating voltage range of 8 ... 32 V DC, the module can be used in 12 V and 24 V vehicle electrical systems and is protected against reverse polarity. xtremeBLOCK reliably reports under- and overvoltages as well as overtemperature via LED and bus diagnostics. EMC resistance has been tested for construction machinery according to ISO 13766-2 and for agricultural machinery according to ISO 14982. Thanks also to the E1 approval, there is nothing to prevent xtremeBLOCK from being used in municipal machines.
Make One Out of Two
The matching overmolded or molded connection cables and a rounded range of accessories complete the modular wiring concept around xtremeBLOCK. Thanks to the variety of signal types and the high number of inputs/outputs, xtremeBLOCK can often replace two commercially available modules. This not only saves space, but it also reduces costs and wiring effort.
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