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ctrlX CORE

All in one: The ultra-compact control system for automation

Nowadays, automation means software development. The high-performance and communication-ready ctrlX CORE control platform provides the basis for this. With the scalable compact control system, Bosch Rexroth has set new standards in the field of automation technology. With its open and flexible architecture, the Linux-based multicore technology breaks down the boundaries between the IPC and embedded system platforms and drive-based technology. “One control system for everything” means less engineering, fewer components and higher productivity. The modular ctrlX WORKS software toolkit is based on the latest app technology and opens up new degrees of freedom when producing, providing and using functions.

ctrlX CORE is the heart of the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform and the nucleus for industrial control systems of the future.

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Highlights of the control system

With the new ctrlX AUTOMATION platform and the modular ctrlX CORE control system, Bosch Rexroth meets the growing requirements of various market players: from dedicated PLC applications in the general machine market or motion applications for simple handling tasks to typical platform applications which allow companies on the lookout for a high-performance, future-ready hardware platform to build up their own expertise in specific markets.

Bosch Rexroth offers much more than simply high-performance control systems or control hardware: within the sector, ctrlX CORE is the most complete, flexible and open control platform with numerous features on all levels – from the design and performance to software and connectivity.

Future-proof

  • Multicore CPU performance
  • Can be expanded in a modular fashion with performance and interface modules

Flexible and open

  • App-based on Linux Ubuntu Core
  • Ready for integration into the EtherCAT ecosystem

Perfect fit

  • Flexible and secure software scalability with apps
  • Can be used in drive-based applications, or as an embedded control system

One consistent control platform

Benjamin Nerger, Game Changer ctrlX CORE

The smartphone of automation

With ctrlX AUTOMATION we have asked ourselves the question: What would automation look like if it were reinvented by a digital company?

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The architecture is what counts

With its open and flexible architecture, the compact ctrlX CORE control system meets today’s and tomorrow’s requirements in the Factory of the Future. In addition to EtherCAT, the control hardware supports many other common automation protocols. Peripherals can also be connected easily via EtherCAT Master as an automation bus. The ctrlX Device Portal allows remote access to the control systems and makes it easy to administer and update them. In connected environments, the Ethernet interface controls the data-intensive exchange of information with higher-level IT systems, HMI devices and cloud-based applications. The control system supports more than 30 IT and PLC IoT standards, for example OPC UA as server and client as well as the widely used MQTT protocol.

Maximum openness on all levels

ctrlX CORE is a complete Linux-based control platform and is highly open, stable and secure. Linux, the world’s most popular and stable operating system, allows the ongoing further development and optimization of modern control systems as well as easy troubleshooting.

For field communication, ctrlX CORE relies on the EtherCAT ecosystem as standard. This opens up the entire world of EtherCAT peripheral devices, which can easily be integrated into the user’s own control topology. The key benefits include short cycle times thanks to the connection via EtherCAT Master.

Programming, providing and using apps

Nowadays, software development accounts for over half of value creation in mechanical engineering. For machine manufacturers and end customers, efficient engineering and the straightforward programming of applications offer considerable savings potential and degrees of freedom. The ctrlX CORE with its fully web-based engineering saves much of the usual software installation work and general outlay as it makes configuration and commissioning of the automation components clearer and more intuitive. With the ctrlX WORKS Toolkit, all engineering tools are available completely free of charge.  In addition, the ctrlX CORE system environment is available in an entirely virtual form. This means that programming and tests can be carried out without any hardware – a central requirement when it comes to reducing engineering work.

The open software architecture with flexible app technology gives developers complete freedom: they can select the apps that they need or use any open source software. Customers can also operate software that they developed themselves on the open platform and turn their expert knowledge in the form of functions in all popular programming languages into apps. These apps that they developed themselves or the software can be operated on ctrlX CORE. All apps released for ctrlX CORE can easily be purchased via the ctrlX Store. The ctrlX Data Layer which is anchored in the control system as a central architectural element allows the apps to communicate with each other.

ctrlX Device Portal - Simple control and administration

The ctrlX Device Portal offers great potential for savings when it comes to maintenance and updating the device software. Control systems can be managed centrally across plants and all available apps can be assigned to ctrlX CORE and updated. The solution stands out with its secure communication requiring only an Internet connection. At the same time, the tool offers secure remote access to the user’s own control systems. Security updates and new functions can be installed, backups can be restored and information about available updates and extensions can be retrieved – all regardless of location.

More information regarding the compact control platform ctrlX CORE

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Technical data ctrlX CORE

Processor ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
CPU 64 Bit Quad-Core ARM CPU 64 Bit Quad-Core ARM CPU
Memory storage ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Fixed storage 4 GB eMMC 4 GB eMMC
RAM 2 GB 2 GB
Remanent memory 1 MBit 1 MBit
Hardware interfaces ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Ethernet
(EtherCAT master)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Ethernet
(Engineering port)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Ethernet
(Engineering port, TSN endpoint)		 not activated 1 x GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
USB not activated 1 x USB-C (2.0)
SD card 1 x Micro-SD 1 x Micro-SD
Operation ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Operating system Linux Ubuntu Core Linux Ubuntu Core
Communication ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Fieldbus communication EtherCAT master
(RJ45)		 EtherCAT master
(RJ45)
Engineering/HMI via GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 via GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Engineering, TSN endpoint GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)		 GBit Ethernet
(RJ45)
Remote access and diagonstics (WiFi) not activated via USB-C
Electrical data ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Supply voltage 24 VDC
(19.2 - 30.0 VDC)		 24 VDC
(19.2 - 30.0 VDC)
Norms and Standards ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Standards CE, UL, CSA CE, UL, CSA
Certification Industrial area class A Industrial area class A
Environmental conditions ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Permissible temperature (operation) -25 °C to +55 °C (fanless up to 2000 m) -25 °C to +55 °C (fanless up to 2000 m)
Permissible temperature (storage) -40 °C to +70 °C -40 °C to +70 °C
Permissible humidity (operation) 10 % to 95 %
(EN 61131-2)		 10 % to 95 %
(EN 61131-2)
Degree of protection IP20 IP20
Protection category III III
Mechanical tests ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
Vibration resistance 1 g 1 g
Shock resistance 15 g 15 g
Dimensions ctrlX CORE X2 ctrlX CORE X3
A 45 mm 45 mm
B 105 mm 105 mm
C1 87 mm 87 mm
C2 10.5 mm 10.5 mm
Download data sheet