Guaranteeing functional safety in a user-friendly way

Machines – whether stationary or mobile – have to be safe. People must not be harmed in any way by their operation and functional safety must be ensured. The new safety release of the ESX.3cs control unit by STW can help implement functionally safe applications.

The new development combines efficiency with robustness: A robust die-cast aluminum housing with automotive plug-in connectors contains a 300 MHz fast 32-bit microcontroller with four MB Flash and eight MB SRAM, up to two CAN interfaces, one serial interface, Ethernet and LIN interface. A second, independent processor monitors various system voltages as well as the program sequence. If required, it switches off all outputs via a second shut-down path or resets the main control unit. Digital and analog feedbacks for almost all signal branches allow a comprehensive diagnosis of the system including the inputs and outputs. Thanks to these features, it is possible to implement functionally safe applications according to EN ISO 13849 and IEC 61508.

For these safety-oriented applications, a safety layer programming interface is available, which allows a separation of safety and non-safety (feedback-free) application sections by means of a memory protection unit. This considerably simplifies the effort for a re-certification in case of changes to the (non-safety) application software. The creation and maintenance of a safety-oriented application is easily possible via the safety manual and diagnostics library.

The application software for the ESX.3cs can be created very efficiently in "C". Numerous convenient functions such as current controllers and ramp functions for outputs or frequency averaging for inputs are already integrated in the programming interface.

The safety update can be retrofitted for control units already being used in the field. Once purchased, STW provides the corresponding software modules via Cloud.

About STW

As an internationally active company with headquarters in Kaufbeuren, we have been committed to the digitalization, automation and electrification of mobile machines for 35 years. With generic or customer-specific products, systems and solutions developed and manufactured at our headquarters in Germany, we support our customers with innovative technology on their way to making their machines the best in the world.

Supplemented by partner products and accompanied by our training, support and system teams, we help medium-sized companies and large OEMs to increase the performance and efficiency of their machines and to increase safety. Through communication between machines, connectivity with cloud platforms and additional partner services, we enable the integration of mobile machines into business processes.