{"product_id":"cx5120-n031-0002-beckhoff-intel-atom-embedded-pc-with-rs485-interface","title":"CX5120-N031-0002 BECKHOFF Intel Atom Embedded PC with RS485 Interface","description":"\u003ch3\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCX5120-N031-0002 (CX5120N0310002)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a high-performance, fanless Embedded PC designed for DIN rail mounting, featuring a power-efficient Intel Atom® multi-core processor. This specific configuration is distinguished by its integrated\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRS485 interface\u003c\/strong\u003e, provided via a standard\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9-pin D-sub socket\u003c\/strong\u003e. Engineered for B2B industrial automation environments such as building control, heavy machinery, and infrastructure monitoring, the CX5120-N031-0002 serves as a robust master controller capable of bridging modern EtherCAT networks with legacy serial communication protocols. Its compact design and high thermal stability make it a reliable choice for decentralized control architectures where space and reliability are paramount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Configuration (Deep Dive)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCX5120-N031-0002\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis optimized for serial networking, specifically configured for\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRS485\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecommunication. The interface logic is factory-set as a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edrop point\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(node) without echo, and with internal termination disabled (termination off). This allows for flexible integration into existing multi-drop bus topologies where external termination resistors may already be in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the earlier CX50xx series, the CX51xx family utilizes advanced Intel Atom® architecture to provide higher compute power at a similar power envelope. The N031-0002 variant ensures that the system can communicate directly with Modbus RTU devices, frequency inverters, or other serial-based field equipment without the need for additional gateway modules. It maintains the series' hallmark flexibility by offering automatic bus recognition for both\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-bus (EtherCAT)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK-bus (Bus Terminals)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexpansion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"firstRow\"\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecification Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCX5120-N031-0002\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBECKHOFF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcessor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntel Atom® (High-efficiency Multi-core)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInterface Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 x RS485\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnection Port\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9-pin D-sub socket\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRS485 Config\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrop point, without echo, termination off\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpansion Bus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAutomatic E-bus \/ K-bus recognition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCooling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFanless (Passive Convection)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstallation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e35 mm DIN rail (EN 60715)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApprox. 590 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperating Temp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e-25 to +60 Celsius (Storage: -40 to +85 Celsius)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtection Rating\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIP20\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower Supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e24 VDC (-15 % \/ +20 %)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical FAQs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the RS485 termination be enabled via software?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hardware is configured as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003etermination off\u003c\/strong\u003e. In an RS485 network, if this controller is the first or last node, an external 120-ohm resistor should be applied to the D-sub connector according to standard RS485 wiring practices to ensure signal integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this unit support both TwinCAT 2 and TwinCAT 3?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The CX5120 hardware is a modern platform that supports\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwinCAT 3 (XAR)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor advanced multi-core processing, as well as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwinCAT 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor maintaining legacy applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the RS485 port galvanically isolated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, Beckhoff N031-xxxx series interfaces generally provide internal galvanic isolation to protect the CPU core from common-mode voltage surges and ground loops common in long-distance serial wiring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEngineering \u0026amp; Installation Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"list-paddingleft-2\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial Wiring Precision:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWhen wiring the 9-pin D-sub for RS485, ensure the use of twisted-pair shielded cable. The shield should be grounded at a single point to prevent ground loops. Since this unit is configured\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ewithout echo\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is ideal for standard 2-wire half-duplex communication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThermal Management:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFor optimal fanless cooling, mount the device horizontally. Ensure that the vertical airflow is not obstructed by cable ducts or other heat-generating components. The\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e-25 to +60 Celsius\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003erange is only guaranteed with proper convective clearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBus Selection:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eUpon first boot, the CX5120 will automatically detect the attached terminal type (E-bus or K-bus). If you change the terminal technology on a pre-configured system, a TwinCAT \"Scan\" or \"Reload Devices\" may be required to update the process image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEngineering Advantages\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCX5120-N031-0002\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexcels in versatility. By combining a modern Intel Atom® CPU with a legacy RS485 port, it eliminates the hardware \"silo\" between high-speed motion control and traditional serial field devices. Its high vibration and shock resistance (conforming to EN 60068-2-6\/27) makes it suitable for mounting on moving machinery or in rugged environments. Furthermore, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerformance (40)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eplatform level for TwinCAT 3 provides sufficient overhead for sophisticated PLC, Motion, and HMI tasks, making this Embedded PC an all-in-one solution for diverse industrial B2B applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BECKHOFF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53106702942571,"sku":"CX5120-N031-0002","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/3227\/0443\/files\/cx5120-n031-0002-1ecunv4bm0j.png?v=1776244272","url":"https:\/\/www.plcprotech.com\/products\/cx5120-n031-0002-beckhoff-intel-atom-embedded-pc-with-rs485-interface","provider":"PLC ProTech Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}