Product Description:

B & R Automation manufactures the X20BC00G3 bus controller as part of the X20 Fieldbus Input Output Modules series. Designed for distributed I/O stations, the unit bridges localized sensor blocks to higher-level controllers through a deterministic network. Within an automation cell, it functions as the EtherCAT gateway element, forwarding cyclic process data and diagnostic information between field devices and the machine PLC. Its compact housing allows placement on DIN-rail carriers beside power supply and slice modules without increasing cabinet depth.

The communication side is equipped with an industrial Ethernet interface that supports EtherCAT frames and identifies itself to the master as Auto Config Model 254. Cabinet planning is simplified because the body measures 75 mm in depth, 99 mm in height, and only 37.5 mm in width, so neighboring modules remain serviceable. Two integrated shielded RJ45 connectors provide the line topology and electrical pass-through for daisy-chained network connections. The controller stores all parameter data locally, enabling cold-start behavior aligned with the initial device image, while the sub-module backplane supplies both power and real-time I/O updates at the same bus cycle time required by fast motion axes.

The device exposes an interface count of 1, so only a single bus identity is visible to the PLC. The controller applies automatic configuration by reading connected module IDs and generating the address map, so no manual slot assignment is required. When designers use Automation Studio V4.3 or higher, the object dictionary and device description import directly, maintaining symbol consistency with the application code. For systems that demand complete startup reproduction, the option for full configuration retention ensures that every I/O slice restores its settings after power cycling.