Hardware documentation forCX1020 / CX1030 Embedded PC
CX1020-0000
CX1020-0xxx
CX1020-Nxxx
CX1030-0xxx
CX1030-Nxxx
Product overview
Appropriate Use
The CX1020 device series is a modular control system designed for top-hat rail installation. The system is scalable, so that the required modules can be assembled and installed in the control cabinet or terminal box as required.
Only switch the PC off after closing the software.
Before the Embedded PC is switched off, the software currently running on it should be stopped properly in order to avoid data loss on the hard disk. Please read the section on "Switching off".
Switch off all system components and uncouple the Industrial PC from the system if the PC is not used for control purposes, e.g., during a function test. Disconnect the device by pulling the first terminal after the power supply unit(CX1100-002 and CX1100-002) (optional) and the fieldbus connectors.System components that have been switched off must be secured against being switched on again.
System overview

The system
With the CX series of Embedded PCs, Beckhoff has combined PC technology and modular I/O level to form a top-hat rail unit in the control cabinet. The CX1020 extends the CX product family by a version with higher CPU performance. The CX1020 enables direct connection of Bus Terminals and EtherCAT terminals.
While the CX1000 features a 266 MHz AMD Geode processor, the CX1020 is equipped with a 1 GHz Intel(R) CPU. It is an energy-saving device that operates with ultra-low core voltage and features low thermal power dissipation of only 7 W TDP (thermal design power). As a result, no fan is required despite the compact design of the CX1020Embedded PC. Since Compact Flash is used as the boot and memory medium, no rotating media are required in the controller. This is an important aspect for increasing the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) of the overall system.
The case and assembly concept of the CX1020 is similar to that of its smaller brother, the CX1000:It also consists of several components that can be assembled by the user. The simplest configuration consists of a CPU module and a multi-functional power supply unit. The PC104 bus is used for the connection between these and all other CX components, although in the CX1020 this was extended with EtherCAT signals. The basic CPU module is equipped with two RJ-45 sockets and an integrated 3-port switch as standard. In practice, this often means that no separate switch is required, since a line topology can be configured conveniently:
For example, in building installations, where several room controls can be distributed across each floor, which otherwise would have to be networked via a star topology.
Like the CX1000, the CX1020 can be expanded with optional system interfaces. A DVI-I (=DVI-D + VGA) output, twoUSB-2.0 interfaces, up to four RS232 interfaces, and audio are available. The four RS232 interfaces feature opto-decoupling and can optionally be implemented as RS422/RS.
The same reusability also applies to the multi-functional power-supplied units (CX1100-000x) of the CX1020: one without I/O terminal connection, one with K-Bus connection, one with K-Bus and IP-Link connection for IP-67-protected Fieldbus Box modules, and a power supply unit with direct connection facility for Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminals.
EtherCAT as a fast I/O system
The CX1020 Embedded PC was developed for optimum interaction with EtherCAT. The two Ethernet interfaces of the CPU module are not primarily intended for EtherCAT operation. The EtherCAT connection is established via theEK1110 (EtherCAT) or EK1200 (E-bus) extension terminals.
Interestingly, EtherCAT offers several options for connecting conventional fieldbus systems to the CX1020:either as a CX1500 module directly at the CPU or as an EtherCAT device in terminal form. The PROFIBUS master is available either as a CX1500-M310 or as an EL6731 EtherCAT terminal. Both types offer the same performance.
Embedded PC
characteristics - e.g., both support PROFIBUS DP-V2. In practice, this means that the PROFIBUS master can be positioned exactly where it is required within a machine. It no longer has to be implemented as a plug-in card in the IPC or a master controller in the control cabinet.
PLC, Motion Control, interpolation and visualisation
As a top-hat rail IPC and in conjunction with the TwinCAT software from Beckhoff, the CX1020 offers the same functionality as large Industrial PCs. In terms of PLC, up to four virtual IEC 61131 CPUs can be programmed with up to four tasks each, with a minimum cycle time of 50 µs. All IEC 61131-3 languages can be used.
Moreover, all TwinCAT functionalities are available for Motion Control applications: In theory, up to 256 axes can be controlled. In addition to simple point-to-point movements, more complex multi-axisfunctions such as "electronic gearbox", "cam plates" and "flying saw" can be implemented. In contrast to the CX1000, due to its higher CPU performance, the CX1020 can now also execute interpolating 3D path movements andDIN66025 programs.
In addition to real-time execution of control tasks, the TwinCAT real-time kernel ensures that enough time remains for the user interface (HMI) to communicate with the real-time components via software interfaces such as ADS or OPC.
For the CX1020, the same basic principle applies: it is a programming tool for all controllers. The complete programming of PLC, Motion Control and visualisation is transferable to all PC controls from Beckhoff, which is reassuring in cases where it becomes apparent during a project that more processing power is required after all. In this case, a system with higher performance can be used.
Basic CPU module. Further system interfaces or fieldbus connections can be added to the basic CPU module. The CPU module requires a CX1100 type power supply module. All CX1500 fieldbus modules and all CX1100 power supply units from the CX1000 series can be used in combination with the CX1020. The CX1100-0004 power supply unit offers a direct interface between the CX1020 and the EtherCAT Terminals. The combination of CX1020, EtherCAT and TwinCAT enables cycle and response times of less than 1 millisecond. The CPU module is available in several variants. These relate to: Internal memory configuration: there are three options - either 64 MB Flash/256 MB DDR RAM (standard), 512 MB RAM, or 1 GB RAM.- System interface configuration: as an option, a DVI and two USB Interfaces can be added to the combination of two Ethernet and RJ 45 ports that are always present.- Operating system: There is a choice between "Microsoft Windows CE.NET" or "Microsoft Windows XP Embedded".- Pre-installed TwinCAT software: CX1020 can be pre-installed without a TwinCAT system, with TwinCAT CE PLC, TwinCAT CE NC PTP or TwinCAT CE NCI, or with the associated full version of the individual TwinCAT levels for PLC and Motion Control.
System interfaces: Further system interfaces for serial communication (2x RS 232 or RS422, RS485), 2 x USB 2.0 interfaces, video output (DVI+), CF card reader/writer, or audio signals can be ordered separately.
Fieldbus interfaces: All CX1500 fieldbus modules and all CX1100 power supply units from the CX1000 series can be used in combination with the CX1020.
The fieldbus interfaces are currently available as master and slave versions for the following fieldbuses:
Beckhoff Lightbus, Profibus DP, CANopen, DeviceNet or SERCOS interface (only master)
The master fieldbus connections enable a CX1020 system to use Beckhoff fieldbus components (such as BusCoupler, Bus Terminal Controller or Drive Technology) as local control components for complex systems.
Slave fieldbus connections enable the CX1020 system to be used as a subordinate distributed control system for complex or modular systems.
Note: Documentation describing the fieldbus connections is available separately.
The software
In combination with the TwinCAT automation software, the CX1020 Industrial PC becomes a powerful IEC 61131-3PLC with up to four user tasks. Additionally, Motion Control tasks can also be executed. Depending on the required cycle time, several servo axes can be controlled. Even special functions such as flying saw, electronic gearbox, and cam plate can be realized.
The CX1020 system is programmed in the same way as other bus controllers:
Remote programming via Ethernet. This option is used if the basic unit is equipped with "Windows CE.NET". In this case, the system is programmed via a laptop or a desktop PC, which is connected to the CX1020 via Ethernet (network or crossover cable). The programs are developed on the laptop with a standard TwinCAT software license and then loaded into the target device.
Visualization: The Beckhoff OPC server is available for interfacing with SCADA packets if the two operating system variants"Windows CE .NET" or "Windows XP Embedded" are used. In other words, the CX1020 also offers straightforward visualization and simultaneous control in real-time on a single system.
Product overview
CX1020 Technical Data
The basic configuration of the CX1020 includes a 64 MB Compact Flash card. Two Ethernet RJ 45 interfaces are also part of the basic configuration. These interfaces are connected to an internal switch and offer a simple option for creating a line topology without the need for additional Ethernet switches. All other CX family components can be connected via the PC104 interface that is available on both sides.
The passive cooling module is included in the scope of supply. For power supply, one of the system power supply modules (CX1100-000x) is needed)
CX1030 Technical Data
The basic configuration of the CX1030 includes a 64 MB Compact Flash card. Two Ethernet RJ 45 interfaces are also part of the basic configuration. These interfaces are connected to an internal switch and offer a simple option for creating a line topology without the need for additional Ethernet switches. All other CX family components can be connected via the PC104 interface that is available on both sides.The active cooling module is included in the scope of supply. For power supply one of the system power supplymodules (CX1100-001x) is needed)
Configurations
The Basic CPU-Module can be ordered with different hardware and software variations. As operating systems thereare "Windows CE.NET" and "Windows XP Embedded" available. The TwinCAT automation software transforms aCX1020 system into powerful PLC and Motion Control system that can be operated with or without visualisation.
CX1020-0000
CX1020-0010
CX1020-0011
CX1020-0012
CX1020-0013
CX1020-0100
CX1020-0110
CX1020-0111
CX1020-0112
CX1020-0113
CX1020-0020
CX1020-0021
CX1020-0022
CX1020-0023
CX1020-0120
CX1020-0121
CX1020-0122
CX1020-0123
Configurations
The Basic CPU-Module can be ordered with different hardware and software variations. As operating systems thereare "Windows CE.NET" and "Windows XP Embedded" available. The TwinCAT automation software transforms aCX1030 system into powerful PLC and Motion Control system that can be operated with or without visualisation.
The order identifier of the basic CPU module is derived as follows:
CX1030-0000
CX1030-0010
CX1030-0011
CX1030-0012
CX1030-0013
CX1030-0100
CX1030-0110
CX1030-0111
CX1030-0112
CX1030-0113
CX1030-0020
CX1030-0021
CX1030-0022
CX1030-0023
CX1030-0120
CX1030-0121
CX1030-0122
CX1030-0123
Operating system perspective:
The operating system only sees one of the connections for the network interface. The status is always connected,since the switch is connected directly. The internal connection via the PC104 bus extension is shown as the secondinterface. If no expansion module is connected, the line is reported as not connected. If the CX1100-00x4 powersupply unit is connected, Windows XPe reports "restricted or no connection". This behavior is normal, since Windowsitself does not use this interface, and therefore no IP address is allocated. If the CX1020-N060 extension isconnected, the connection behaves like a 'normal' network port.