Beckhoff releases CP-Link 4 One Cable Display Link

April 7, 2015 –Beckhoff Automation released the CP-Link 4 to maximize cabling efficiency and flexibility for industrial Control Panel displays. Multi-touch industrial displays offer a wide range of screen sizes/formats and connection options. CP-Link 4 uses standard CAT.6A cables that are easy to install, available in drag chain versions, and offer field-configurable standard plug connectors. Alternatively, pre-assembled cables are available from Beckhoff as accessories.

The plug-and-play connection makes commissioning and installation simple and convenient.  In addition, CP-Link 4 requires no special software or drivers.

CP-Link 4 technology is directly integrated into the passive versions of panels in the multi-touch series from Beckhoff, so displays with an integrated processor are not required. On the PC side, the CP-Link 4 connection can be made either via the PCIe module slot in the Industrial PC (IPC) or via the CU880x transmitter boxes. The following connection options are available:

The One Cable Display Link: In the single-cable solution, the DVI signal, USB 2.0 signal, and 24 V power supply are transferred via one cable. The CU8803 transmitter box provides the power supply for the Control Panel via the CAT.6Acable, which can be up to 100 m long. The CU8803 box can be connected to any PC via a DVI and USB cable and requires a 24 V supply.

The Two Cable Display Link: With this connection option, DVI and USB 2.0 are transferred via a CAT.6A cable. The CU8802 transmitter box is connected to the PC via DVI and USB, or the C9900-E276 PCIe module integrated into a Beckhoff IPC. The power supply is separate and is switchable, such as for emergency stop solutions with parallel wiring.

About Beckhoff

As one of the earliest manufacturers of industrial display connection technology, Beckhoff launched the first version of CP-Link in 1998. In 2006, Beckhoff presented the second generation of its display connection technology as a further innovation: surpassing the 5 m DVI/USB standard distance, the DVI/USB Extended technology, based on standard cables, enabled distances of up to 50 m between the Industrial PC and the operating panel. The CP-Link 3 concept is a pure software solution, using standard cable technologies to facilitate versatile connection of Panel PCs with an Industrial PC. It enables connection of up to 255 Ethernet Panels.