B&R X20CP0483 Compact Fanless PLC Controller

(X20 Compact-S Series CPU)

Description: X20 Compact-S compact fanless PLC contrôleur, ARM Cortex-A9 platform, integrated POWERLINK hard real-time bus, battery-free & sans entretien, master controller for B&R. X20 distributed I/O system

1. Explication du code modèle

X20: X20 family automation system

CP: Controller Processor

04: Compact-S compact ARM Cortex-A9 series

83: 500MHz, 256Mo de mémoire, 1Go Flash, 32Ko AVANT, integrated POWERLINK V2

2. Spécifications matérielles de base

Key Highlights: Battery-free architecture. FRAM retains retentive variables, eliminating maintenance for battery replacement. POWERLINK PRC mode greatly reduces real-time communication cycle for multi-node motion control applications.

3. Intra-family Comparison (X20CP048x)

X20CP0482: Cortex-A9@300MHz, 128Mo de RAM, 1Go Flash, 16Ko AVANT

X20CP0483: Cortex-A9@500MHz, 256Mo de RAM, 1Go Flash, 32Ko AVANT

X20CP0484: Cortex-A9@667MHz, 256Mo de RAM, 2Go Flash, 64Ko AVANT

X20CP0484‑1: Cortex-A9@667MHz, 512Mo de RAM, 2Go Flash, 64Ko AVANT

4. Applications typiques
5. Machine control: Machines d'emballage, machines textiles, moulage par injection, small CNC machine tools
6. Multi-axis motion control: Paired with ACOPOS servo drives over POWERLINK real-time bus
7. Standalone machine controller for production lines, test equipment and small automation workstations
8. Control cabinets with limited installation space requiring maintenance-free and wide-temperature operation
9. Installation & Accessoires
10. Mounted on X20 bus base unit. Base, power supply module and terminal blocks are ordered separately; CPU does not come with base.
11. X2X Link backplane connects X20 digital / analog I/O modules
12. Insert X20 communication modules into expansion slots for CAN, RS485 and other third-party bus extensions
13. Programmation & mise en service: USB direct connection or Ethernet to download Automation Studio projects
14. Directives de dépannage
15. POWERLINK communication failure: Verify PRC configuration, résistances de terminaison, node ID, cable shielding and grounding; diagnose link via status LEDs
16. Boot failure: Flash partition corruption can be recovered by firmware reinstallation in AS; FRAM variable anomaly can be cleared by resetting retentive variables
17. Alarme de surchauffe: Check cabinet ventilation and mounting orientation; derating required for vertical installation
18. Communication packet loss: Isolate Ethernet/POWERLINK; separate routing of strong and weak signal cables
19. Sélection alternative

Downward alternative: X20CP0482 (lower computing power and memory for budget-limited projects)

Upward alternative: X20CP0484 (higher clock frequency, larger Flash & FRAM for complex multi-axis and large programs)

Cross-series option: X20CP1583 (legacy Atom platform with battery, non recommandé pour les nouveaux designs)

8. Code SH

850440 (Electrical static converters, classification for PLC controllers)

9. Program Migration Notes
10. AS project version must match hardware firmware version (V4.3/V6.0). Back up project before firmware upgrade
11. FRAM retentive variable address mapping differs from legacy battery-backed CPUs; retentive area needs redefinition during migration
12. POWERLINK PRC parameters must be re-verified for bus cycle and timing after migration; ACOPOS servo axis configuration can be migrated

B&R X20CP0483 Programming Software Description

The only official development software: Studio d'automatisation (COMME). No third-party standalone programming software supports this CPU.

X20CP0483 adopts ARM Cortex‑A9 Compact-S architecture. VC3 visualization is not supported. This is critical when migrating projects from legacy Intel-based CPUs.

1. Supported AS Versions (HW Upgrade Hardware Package)
2. AS V4.3: Earliest version supporting X20CP0483 (paired with Automation Runtime V4.x)
3. AS V6.0: New stable release, recommandé pour les nouveaux projets (paired with AR V6.x)

AS4.11 and later AS4.x subversions can load V4.3 hardware package; AS6.0 preferred for new developments

2. IEC61131‑3 + C Programming Languages within AS

All developed inside the same Automation Studio project environment:

ST Structured Text (le plus largement utilisé, preferred for motion control)

Schéma des blocs fonctionnels FBD

Diagramme en échelle LD

Diagramme des fonctions séquentielles SFC

Liste des instructions IL (rarement utilisé)

C Language: Native C code support (ARM architecture; ARM compiled libraries required. x86 binary libraries cannot be used directly)

Supplementary packages: mapp libraries (mappMotion, mappIO, mappView HMI), reACTION high-speed I/O programming are all developed within AS.

3. Télécharger / Debug Methods (inside AS)

USB direct connection for debug and download

Ethernet TCP/IP online download

Offline update package for USB flash firmware update (no CF card, Compact-S exclusive)

4. Important Limitations
5. VC3 visualization unavailable: VC3 is designed for legacy x86 CPUs (par exemple. X20CP1483). mappView must be used for HMI on ARM-based X20CP0483
6. Third-party compiled libraries (APLib): ARM version required. x86 binaries cannot be loaded; source code needs recompilation
7. No standalone programming software; Codesys, GX Works and other PLC software cannot program this controller directly
8. Auxiliary Tools (not IDE)

Runtime Utility Center (RUC): Image backup and restoration

Built-in AS tools: Configuration matérielle, POWERLINK setup, motion axis configuration, diagnostic en ligne, variable monitoring, simulation

B&R Automation Studio (COMME) Guide d'installation (for X20CP0483, recommended AS V6.0 / AS V4.3)

Important: AS runs on Windows x86/x64 PCs. Not supported on Mac/ARM laptops. Separate HW Upgrade hardware package required to use X20CP0483.

1. Pre-install Requirements
2. Système opérateur (64-bit recommended)

AS V4.3: Win10 64-bit (Win7 SP1 also supported, not recommended now)

AS V6.0: Win10/Win11 64-bit

Non pris en charge: Lightweight/cut-down Windows Home editions; virtual machines may have network/licensing issues; do not install on runtime industrial PCs

2. PC Hardware

Processeur: i5 or higher, RAM ≥8GB (16GB recommended for large projects + simulation)

HDD: Minimum 20GB free space (main software + hardware packages + mapp libraries + project cache)

Réseau: Wired Ethernet preferred; USB port for CPU debugging

Prerequisite components: .NET Framework 4.8, VC++ runtime libraries. Included in installer and deployed automatically

3. Software Acquisition

Download installation packages from B&R official website after login:

AS V4.3: Earliest version supporting X20CP0483

AS V6.0: Preferred for new projects, stable release

Package is ZIP archive. Extract path no Chinese characters or spaces

2. Full Installation Steps
3. Extract installation package

Extract to pure English path, par exemple. D:\B&R\AS6.0; No Chinese folders, otherwise installation errors.

Right-click Setup.exe → Run as administrator.

2. Launch installation wizard

Accept license agreement

Type d'installation: Complet (recommandé); custom setup can remove unused translation documents

Install path: Suggest C:\Program Files\B&R\Automation Studio 6.0, keep default C:\ path if possible

Wait for main program installation. CodeMeter license driver, .NET and C++ runtimes will be installed automatically

3. Install HW Upgrade hardware package after main installation (Critique! X20CP0483 will not appear without this)

Main AS software does not contain hardware catalog. HW Upgrade is mandatory to recognize X20CP0483

4. Download matching HW Upgrade from B&R website (V4.x HW package for AS V4.3; V6.x HW package for AS V6.0)
5. Right-click HW Upgrade installer AS6_HW_xxxx.exe, exécuter en tant qu'administrateur
6. Wizard auto-detects installed AS, follow prompts
7. Après l'installation, open AS and X20CP0483 will be available in hardware catalog
8. Install mapp libraries (facultatif, required for motion control and mappView HMI)

mapp libraries are separate installers, also run as administrator.

3. Software Licensing (CodeMeter)

AS runs in 90-day trial mode without activation. 3 licensing options:

1. Online activation (internet-connected PC)

Open AS → Help → License → Enter B&R License Key for online activation. License saved into CodeMeter container (soft license CmActLicense).

2. Offline activation (office PC without internet, common in industrial environments)

Generate license request file .wbb on local PC

Copy file to internet-connected PC, upload request file on B&R licensing portal

Obtain returned license file, copy back and double-click to import and activate locally

3. USB hardware dongle CmDongle (USB stick, convenient for switching between multiple PCs for site commissioning)

Trial license: Apply for 90-day free trial license on B&R website, renewable. Formal license required for commercial projects; mapp library and mappMotion motion libraries are licensed separately, not included in base AS license.

4. New Project Verification for X20CP0483
5. Open Automation Studio → New Project
6. Hardware configuration → Add CPU. Select X20CP0483 under X20 Compact-S catalog

✅ CPU selectable = HW package installed successfully; ❌ CPU missing = mismatched HW Upgrade version or missing hardware package

3. Configure X2X backplane, POWERLINK and Ethernet, then programming, simulation and download can start
4. Common Installation Pitfalls
5. Chinese characters or spaces in paths: Extract, install and project folders must use English names only, otherwise compile failure or hardware catalog loading error
6. Missing HW Upgrade: Only main AS installed, X20CP0483 cannot be found in new project. This accounts for 90% of such issues
7. Antivirus blocking CodeMeter: Temporarily disable 360/Huorong before installation; blocked CodeMeter service causes AS startup license error
8. Version mismatch: AS V4.x HW package cannot be installed with AS V6.0, versions must match
9. Legacy software residue: If old AS versions were previously installed, clean registry after uninstall to avoid new install failure
10. Uninstallation

Uninstall Automation Studio in Control Panel; then uninstall CodeMeter Runtime; manually delete residual project folders.

7. Communication Preparation after Installation for X20CP0483 Commissioning
8. Set PC Ethernet IP within the same subnet as CPU IP
9. Or connect USB cable directly to CPU USB port, scan controller in AS Target Browser
10. Online project download, firmware upgrade and diagnostics

B&R X20 Compact-S (X20CP04xx) Full CPU Model List

1. Model Groups
2. Modèles de base (without POWERLINK): X20CP0410 / 0411 / 0420
3. Motion models (with integrated POWERLINK, X20CP0483 belongs to this group): X20CP0482 / 0483 / 0484 / 0484-1
4. Conformal coated models (X20cCP04xx, anti-condensation & corrosive gas resistant)
5. Full Standard Model List (Non-coated)

Basic Economy Models (No POWERLINK)

Motion Control Models (Integrated POWERLINK)

3. Conformal Coated Models (X20cCP04xx for high humidity/corrosive environment)

Direct counterparts of above, prefix changed to X20c:

X20cCP0410

X20cCP0411

X20cCP0420

X20cCP0482

X20cCP0483

X20cCP0484

X20cCP0484-1

4. Règles de dénomination des modèles
5. 041x: Standard PLC without POWERLINK, cost-effective series
6. 0420: Standard PLC with integrated dual-port Ethernet switch, no POWERLINK
7. 048x: Motion CPU, onboard POWERLINK bus for ACOPOS servo drives (X20CP0483/0484)
8. Higher suffix number: higher clock speed, larger RAM/Flash and FRAM
9. Suffixe -1: Memory enhanced variant (0484-1 doubles RAM compared to 0484)
10. Matching Base Units (Commandé séparément)

X20BB52 / BB53: for X20CP0410/0411/0420

X20BB62 / BB67, X20BB72 / BB77: for POWERLINK models X20CP0482/0483/0484