This document discusses PCN InterMax products, which allow industrial networks to migrate from legacy fieldbus and proprietary networks to Ethernet over existing cabling infrastructure without requiring new cabling installation. InterMax products use advanced cable repurposing technology to transmit high-bandwidth IP networks over various copper cabling types, including coaxial cabling. They provide a scalable solution for upgrading an entire facility's network that was previously not possible using traditional gateway and media conversion methods. InterMax products are designed for reliability in harsh industrial environments and make migrating to Ethernet networks using existing cabling easy and cost-effective.

1. With the rapid rise of the Industrial Internet,
Automation Engineers are searching for reliable and
effective ways to upgrade from existing proprietary
fieldbus serial networks to new industrial Ethernet
networks. PCN InterMax™ products now make it
easy & cost-effective to migrate to high-bandwidth
standardized broadband infrastructures enabling
deployment of new 3rd
party IP enabled devices,
networks and applications.
Until now, choices have been limited to using point
solutions such as Gateways & Media Converters to
minimize the disruptions of a full facility-wide
technology changeover. While such solutions may
be viable in simple use cases, the widespread use in
control applications are fraught with performance
and reliability issues resulting from the artifacts of
data tunneling or protocol conversion. As a result; a
reliable industrial migration solution that scales
across an entire installation has remained out of
reach.
PCN’s InterMax™ products are light-years ahead of
traditional converters, gateways and Ethernet
extenders; providing the most advanced cable
repurposing technology available for deployment of
industrial Ethernet based networks onto existing
copper wiring.
InterMax™ products were specifically developed to
solve the technical & project challenges present in
the migration of legacy cabling infrastructures.
InterMax™ products are rugged & reliable operating
with extremely high MTBF in demanding industrial
environments.
Automation & Control networks can continue
to use existing point-to-point, multi-drop, or
daisy chain cabling topologies as if new
structured cabling (CAT 5/6) were deployed.
InterMax™ products are easy to install, setup
and operate on existing copper infrastructures
and enable installation & deployment of 3rd
Party IP enabled products as called out in the
specifications.
For the first time; industrial applications now
have a scalable and effective solution that
migrates & upgrades existing infrastructure
enabling the deployment of industrial Ethernet
networks across coax cabling infrastructures.
Whether planning for discrete or process
application deployments; you can be confident
that InterMax™ products are the most reliable,
robust & cost effective solution available.
PCN Technology, Inc. | 1123 Wilkes Blvd., Suite 400 | Columbia, MO 65201 | (858) 434-0605 | www.pcntechnology.com | info@pcntechnology.com
© 2015 Copyright. PCN Technology Inc. All Rights Reserved
PCN® & PCN Technology® are Registered Trademarks of PCN Technology, Inc.
No New Cabling or Major Shutdown Required
Upgrade & Migrate to Industrial Ethernet over Existing Coax
Features & Benefits:
Part # IX1610-P
(Use Coax Cabling to Deploy Ethernet Networks)
 Deploy High Performance IP
Networks on Existing Coaxial
Cabling.
 Deploy TCP/IP, Profinet,
EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, & Other
IP Networks
 Supports Upgrade & Migration of
Sub-Networks or Entire facility
 Delivers IP Networks over Point to
Point or Multi-Drop
 Compatible with 3rd Party
Automation & IT Networking
Equipment
 Reliable in High EMI, Cold, Heat &
High Vibration Environments
 Easy to Install and Operate
 Upgrade Serial or Proprietary
Networks to New IP Enabled
Networks with minimal technical or
project risks.
 Move from Legacy Narrowband to
High-Bandwidth industrial Ethernet
 Extend Ethernet Distances to 2800
Feet
 Din-Rail Mounted, 24VDC
Powered, UL/CUL/CE/Class 1 Div 2
 Factories, Buildings, Oil & Gas,
Transportation, Energy & More.
Accelerating the Industrial Internet
Deploy Ethernet Networks over Existing Coax Cabling
InterMax™ Communication over Coax
Industrial Ethernet Peer
Rev. 1.0 – December 2015
Upgrade to Industrial Ethernet

2. 2
Specifications are subject to change without notice
© Copyright 2015 PCN Technology, Inc.
PCN Technology, Inc. | (858) 434-0605 | www.pcntechnology.com | info@pcntechnology.com
High-Performance Industrial Ethernet Products
Product Part #: IX1610-P (Peer)
Wire Type Supported Coaxial
Network Types Supported TCP/IP, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP & Other IP Networks (Upgrade S908, ControlNet,
Dimensions 2.0 x 6.1 x 4.1 inches (51.5 x 155.0 x 104.7 mm)
Weight 1 lb 4 oz (0.567 kg)
Power 24 VDC Nominal (18 to 30VDC)
Current Load 24VDC Nominal @ 125mA (18 to 30VDC @ 170mA Max)
Operating Temperature -20 Deg C to +60 Deg C
Storage Temperature -40 Dec C to +80 Deg C
Humidity 10% to 90% (Non-condensing)
LED Indicators Power, QoS, Ethernet Data Link
Ethernet Ports 4 RJ45 Ports
Communication Rate 10/100 Base-T
Ethernet Latency 2.5ms typical between Ethernet devices
Ethernet Jitter 1ms maximum between Ethernet devices
Reliability Reliability (MTBF): 50,000 hours
Air Pressure Operation Air pressure (operation): 800 hPa … 1080 hPa (up to 2000 m = 6562 ft)
Topologies Supported Point to Point, Multi-Drop and other topologies
Trunk Max Link 2800 Feet
Mounting Type Din-Rail
Shock IEC 60068-2-27; 15G@11ms, 3-Axis (Operational) / IEC 60068-2-27; 30G@11ms, 3-Axis (Non-Operational)
Vibration IEC 60068-2-6; 5G @ 10Hz to 150Hz
Agency Approvals
CE, UL/cUL UL 60950-1, 2nd Edition, 2011-12-19 (Information Technology Equipment – Safety – Part 1: General Requirements) /
CSA c22.2 No. 60950-1-07, 2nd
Edition, 2011-12 (Information Technology Equipment – Safety Part 1: General Requirements) /
ANSI/ISA 12.12.01-2013
Product Specification Details: 858-434-0605 / info@pcntechnology.com
PCN believes the information in this publication to be accurate as of publication date, and is not responsible for errors. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
PROFIBUS® and PROFINET® are registered trademarks of PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI). Bluehose is a registered trademark of Belden. EtherNet/IP is a registered
trademark of ODVA. PCN is a registered member of ODVA.
Accelerating the Industrial Internet
Deploy Ethernet Networks over Existing Coax Cabling
InterMax™ Communication over Coax
Industrial Ethernet Peer
Repurposed
Trunk Cable
To Ethernet
Device(s)
To Ethernet
Device(s)
InterMaxTM
Peer to Peer Connection
Example Bandwidths & Distances for Industrial Ethernet over Existing Coax
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0 1000 2000 3000
EthernetThroughput(Mbps)
Trunk Length (ft)
Estimated Throughput over Trunk Length
2 Peers
4 Peers
8 Peers
*Point to Point Topology Shown. Additional InterMax™
devices can be inserted into infrastructure to achieve
repurposing of larger sections or facilities.

3. 3
Specifications are subject to change without notice
© Copyright 2015 PCN Technology, Inc.
PCN Technology, Inc. | (858) 434-0605 | www.pcntechnology.com | info@pcntechnology.com
Accelerating the Industrial Internet
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP),
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
CoAxial & TwinAxial
Discrete Conductors, Multi-Conductors
RS-485, RS-422, CAT 3-7, RG-6, RG-58, S908
Remote I/O Blue Hose, Profibus, Others
HVAC, Telephone, Power Systems, Safety &
Security Systems, Automation Systems
Cable Types Supported:What is InterMax™? A family of products designed to upgrade legacy
communication systems to new industrial Ethernet based communications by
repurposing existing cabling to carry high-speed automation & control network
data. InterMax™ products repurpose virtually any type of copper cabling in order
to carry high-bandwidth IP based communications across a sub-network or entire
facility.
What Types of Cable Can I Repurpose? Example wiring types supported
are: copper unshielded twisted pair (UTP), shielded twisted pair (STP), discrete
conductors, multi-conductor, coaxial and twin-axial cables including, but not
limited to, cabling types used in RS-485 Cabling, RS-422 Cabling, Cat3-7 Network
Cable, Belden 9463 "Blue Hose", RG-6, RG-58, HVAC, Telephone Systems, Power
Distribution Systems (power must be disconnected before repurposing), Security
Systems, and Automation Systems.
Why Do I need InterMax™? There are many situations where pulling the
structured cabling required for IP communications is cost prohibitive, physically
difficult and involve significant down time and loss of revenue. InterMax™ enables
upgrade of the infrastructure to IP by simply repurposing the existing cable
infrastructure which results in savings in time, costs, labor, and revenue.
How Does InterMax™ Transfer High Speed IP Data over Repurposed Cabling?
InterMax™ transports IP based control and network traffic over a bridge network
which uses multiple high frequency carriers. The bridge network technology
monitors channel quality of the repurposed cabling to determine the most efficient
carrier selection for high Quality of Service (QoS) delivery of data with minimal
latency and maximum bandwidth.
What is the Bandwidth? Each InterMax™ unit includes an embedded 4 port 10/100
Ethernet switch providing a local 100 Mbps link. The link speed of the bridge
network depends on the quality, type, length, and impedance loading from the
repurposed cabling which may vary from application to application. Reference
charts are available to estimate the link speed given a type of cable, length, and
loading.
How Much Latency Will it Add to My Network? On average it takes 2.5 ms to
transport an Ethernet frame across the network. A one-time startup latency may
be as high as 7ms.
What is the Difference between Masters, Slaves, & Peers? In an InterMax™
system, one device is responsible for managing the bridge network. In a Master-
Slave system, the Master will always be the network manager. This is helpful to
know if your system design requires a deterministic "head-end" of the
network. Additionally, all communication is routed through the Master. Slaves are
prohibited from communicating to other Slaves, adding a level of security. In Peer-
to-Peer systems; the peer with the best visibility to all other peers will become the
network manager. This type of system provides enhanced flexibility and ease of
install. Additionally, all Peers can communicate freely with each other, providing
an open communication network. If you need help determining, let us know.
PCN InterMax™ products implement a Layer 1 & 2 data transport
enabling most types of packet protocols to operate on virtually any
wiring type. When deploying; there are a few considerations that need
to be taken into account in respect to your application and your
application’s session timing when operating with InterMax™ products.
When the PCN units are first powered up it takes 7 “milliseconds” (ms)
for all of the PCN devices to register with each other on the network.
This 7 ms registration process only takes place once during the first
power-up when initial traffic is sent from the PCN Master or “head-
end” device to another PCN unit connected on the network. After the
initialization process is completed all subsequent transactions are
accomplished with 2.5 ms latency.
From an application or session timing budgeting perspective this
means that when the network (including the PCN units) are first
powered up; the application should be adjusted to allow for the first
communication to account for a one time 7ms of latency above what
would normally be expected without PCN products installed. For all
subsequent communications until the PCN units are powered down
and then back up again the latency is only 2.5ms and remains at 2.5ms.
From an application perspective the typical technique utilized to deal
with these differences in latency is to 1) on first system power-up the
application is written to pole a device on the network to “flush” out
the initial PCN 7ms latency and then 2) accounts for an additional
2.5ms of latency on all of the session timing budgeting thereafter.
Launching Your Application using InterMax™
Deploy Ethernet Networks over Existing Coax Cabling
InterMax™ Communication over Coax
Industrial Ethernet Peer