With the Sercos SoftMaster Package, more than 95% of the Sercos master solution is now available. It is structured in such a way that the user does not have to make any other code changes apart from a few configuration steps.

For all entry-level solutions, which already cover the requirements with bus cycle times of more than 500 µs and a line topology as well as synchronicity between the system parts in the microsecond range, a single standard Ethernet controller in conjunction with a suitable real-time operating system is already sufficient. This is estimated to apply to at least 50 % of all applications.

For medium to high synchronization requirements in the range of less than 100 ns and with bus cycle times of more than 125 µs, the use of a TTS-capable Ethernet controller together with a suitable real-time system is an ideal solution. If two of these Ethernet controllers are synchronized, it is also possible to support ring topology with bumpless redundancy. According to Sercos International, this covers more than 90 % of applications.

For all applications with higher bus cycle time requirements or where the hardware and operating system platform requirements cannot be met, the familiar HardMaster solutions are still available.

The Sercans-XS package from Bosch Rexroth includes Ethernet modes, so that virtually any Ethernet controller is suitable for use with the Sercos SoftMaster, although the synchronization accuracy is reduced due to the resulting telegram jitter. The NIC/TTS mode is available for higher requirements in terms of synchronicity and cycle time, in which the Ethernet controller (NIC) uses its own timer to precisely determine the telegram transmission and software is decoupled through early provision.

In addition to the easy access to software technologies, many industrial users are nevertheless concerned that when using open source software in embedded systems, the applicable license conditions could force them to disclose their know-how. This aspect was taken into account by changing the license model from LGPL to an MIT license. The licensing model provides all interested companies and organizations with usage options that offer approaches for a wide variety of business models.