CX2043-0185 by Beckhoff

The CX2043-0185 is an embedded PC base module manufactured by Beckhoff for the CX Embedded PC Systems series. It serves as the primary control unit in cabinet-mounted automation nodes, housing the operating system, fieldbus master interfaces, and real-time runtime in a single DIN-rail package. By combining PLC logic, motion control, and edge data processing on one platform, it allows compact machine cells and distributed I/O stations to run deterministic sequences without an external supervisory computer. Its integrated design also reduces the number of separate computing devices required within the control cabinet.

An AMD Ryzen V1807B processor operating at 3.35 GHz uses four physical cores to execute control, communication, and visualization tasks. The module includes 8 GB of DDR4 RAM for program code, data buffers, and visualization assets. It also provides 128 kB of NOVRAM for nonvolatile controller variables, while an fTPM 2.0 secure element supplies hardware-based key storage. Network connectivity is provided by two RJ45 ports supporting 10/100/1000 Mbit/s, which can carry EtherCAT or standard TCP/IP traffic for synchronized drives and plant-level communication. The PC accepts a 24 V DC input with a -15%/+20% tolerance and consumes up to 70 W under maximum computational and peripheral load. A dielectric strength of 500 V isolates the supply from system ground, and the TwinCAT/BSD operating system provides POSIX services alongside the TwinCAT runtime.

Graphical output is handled by the AMD Radeon Vega 11 integrated GPU, which supports Shader Model 6.4 for HMI rendering without a separate graphics card. The front panel includes four USB 3.2 Gen 2 receptacles rated at 900 mA each for cameras, service drives, operator panels, and other compatible peripherals. An IP20 housing protects against accidental contact with internal components but requires installation inside an enclosed cabinet that is free of conductive dust. The module measures 144 × 99 × 91 mm, allowing cabinet spacing and DIN-rail placement to be planned around its compact enclosure. Onboard storage devices use the USB and SATA lanes managed by the processor chipset, while the graphics capabilities support modern industrial visualization frameworks.