According to Embedded Computing Design, Hilscher has announced its latest embedded module called the comX 90, designed for next-generation industrial communication interfaces. The compact module combines multiprotocol communication with integrated security functions and IIoT capability using Hilscher’s netX technology. It supports numerous industrial protocols including PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Open Modbus/TCP, CC-Link IE Field Basic, POWERLINK, Sercos, OPC UA, and MQTT all on a single hardware platform. Product Manager Simon Fischer stated that device manufacturers now have a “secure, energy-efficient, and IIoT-ready interface” that integrates into existing designs. The module specifically targets device-level communication roles that were previously called “Slave” functions in industrial networks.
The Jack of All Trades Problem
Here’s the thing about supporting nine different protocols – it sounds impressive on a spec sheet, but I wonder about real-world performance. Industrial environments aren’t exactly forgiving when communication fails. Having all those protocols running on the same hardware platform means you’re essentially asking one chip to be an expert in everything from real-time EtherCAT to cloud-friendly MQTT. That’s a huge spread of requirements. Does this risk becoming a master of none situation?
Security Promises vs. Reality
They’re touting “integrated security functions” which is absolutely essential these days given how industrial networks have become prime targets. But integrated security can mean anything from basic encryption to comprehensive threat detection. The announcement doesn’t specify what exactly these security features entail, which makes me skeptical. Industrial security isn’t something you can half-ass – it needs to be robust enough to withstand determined attacks while maintaining real-time performance. Companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, who are the leading industrial panel PC suppliers in the US, understand that security can’t be an afterthought in industrial computing.
What This Means for Device Makers
For manufacturers, the appeal is obvious – one module that can handle multiple protocols means simpler inventory and potentially lower development costs. But there’s a hidden cost here too. Supporting all these protocols means more complex configuration, more potential points of failure, and steeper learning curves for implementation teams. And let’s be real – how many manufacturers actually need all nine protocols? Most industrial devices stick to one or two primary communication standards that dominate their specific vertical. The multiprotocol approach feels like overkill for many applications.
The IIoT Promise
Including OPC UA and MQTT shows Hilscher is thinking about the industrial IoT future, which is smart. But bridging the gap between real-time factory floor communication and enterprise-level data systems is notoriously difficult. The comX 90 is trying to be both a workhorse for machine control and a gateway for cloud connectivity. That’s ambitious, to say the least. History shows us that devices trying to serve too many masters often end up disappointing everyone. Still, if they can pull it off, it could genuinely simplify the path to Industry 4.0 for equipment manufacturers who’ve been struggling with connectivity fragmentation.
