PROFINET Forum

Would a Cortex R also be sufficient for a PN protocol stack?

Webinar_Question wrote: ↑11 Dec 2024, 08:05 Would a Cortex R also be sufficient for a PN protocol stack?

Some protocol stacks are delivered as ANSI-C Source Code; only the IDE and the Compiler specific Project and corresponding settings are platform specific.
Assuming sufficient RAM and Flash resources are available there should be no showstopper.
Accordingly the C-compiler for the CortexR MCU will digest the ANSI-C Source Code once the project is set up. The protocol stack provider should deliver a ready-to use project together with the platform support driver for this specific CortexR Core.
Whether a CPU or MCU or a Core is sufficient depends on the computing performance and the other activities this specific Core has to handle. Experience has shown that a 120MHz Cortex Core can handle PROFINET - small "side-activities" included. A minimum RAM of 192kByte (better 256kByte) and Flash of 768kByte (better 1MByte) for a complete minimum PROFINET Device alone should be considered, including all accessories like TCP/IP Stack e.t.c. These numbers are derived from experience but do not represent a "set-in-stone" rule. Every project is different and needs consideration.