Posted to News on 22nd Jan 2025, 16:00
Linux-based real-time control with TwinCAT
Beckhoff has announced the launch of TwinCAT Runtime for Linux, opening up new application possibilities for real-time control. Several TwinCAT Runtimes can now be executed on a single industrial PC for the first time, enabling users to combine different system parts on one large computer.
(See Beckhoff at Machine Building North, 10 April 2025, on stand 71)
With this hardware consolidation, computing resources are better utilised. Virtual control technology, for example, a Virtual PLC, can also be implemented on a server PC with the containerised version of TwinCAT. Furthermore, accessing a GPU (graphics card) from the real-time environment will be possible. The GPU is then used as a hardware accelerator for computing-intensive applications, such as vision.
TwinCAT Runtime for Linux is based on Beckhoff's own Linux distribution, which expands the choice of operating systems in addition to Windows and TwinCAT/BSD.
The distribution was developed using the free Debian operating system and includes a Linux real-time kernel as standard for real-time execution of the runtime.
The Debian package system also makes it easy to install additional software. Initially, the new CX82x0 and CX9240 Arm-based Embedded PCs will be offered with Linux runtime. The Beckhoff Linux distribution will then be successively rolled out for all other industrial and embedded PCs.
"The launch of TwinCAT Runtime for Linux offers many advantages for real-time control," explained Stephen Hayes, managing director of Beckhoff UK. "This includes optimised execution of multiple real-time applications using one CPU, increased user flexibility through modular control code and application modules that are easy to add or replace."
