March 2026 — Hilscher has introduced the cifX PCIE90-RE and the cifX LPCIE90-RE, two new PC cards for secure industrial communication. The cards are based on the netX 90 system-on-chip (SoC) and are available in PCI Express and low-profile PCI Express form factors.
They target manufacturers of PC-based automation solutions who want to integrate their products into industrial networks securely, with high performance and with long-term availability.
With these new cifX variants, Hilscher is expanding its proven PC card portfolio with two future-ready solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s requirements. The cards are suitable successors to established netX 100-based cifX PC cards with a PCI Express interface, such as the cifX 50E-RE. They are also ideal for new device generations where security, performance and flexibility are key design criteria from the outset.
Platform for secure and scalable communication
At the core of both cards is Hilscher’s multiprotocol-capable netX 90 communication controller. It provides the technological foundation for unified, secure and scalable industrial communication. The cifX PCIE90-RE and the cifX LPCIE90-RE support common Industrial Ethernet and IIoT protocols:
- PROFINET IO-Device
- EtherCAT SubDevice
- EtherNet/IP Adapter
- OpenModbus/TCP Server/Client
- CC-Link IE Field Basic Slave
- POWERLINK Controlled Node
- Sercos Slave
- OPC UA Server
- MQTT Publisher/Subscriber
The protocols can be adapted to different target markets and requirements by switching the firmware. Hilscher places particular emphasis on helping customers prepare for regulatory requirements such as the European Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). The new cifX PC cards are designed to integrate security-by-design concepts into PC-based devices, providing a robust basis for secure industrial networks.
About Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH and Hilscher North America, Inc.
Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH is a global specialist in network connectivity solutions for device makers, OEMs and end-user manufacturers. Founded in 1986 and with locations worldwide, Hilscher focuses on industrial communications, with solutions spanning single-chip ASICS, embedded modules, PC cards, protocol converters and gateways, along with supporting software and development tools and services.
