How should you deploy HSR/PRP?
There is more than one way to achieve zero-interruption redundant Ethernet. Do you implement an IP core on your own board, fit a module, or install ready-built equipment? That choice determines your development time, cost and freedom.
Four ways to deploy it
The further left, the more freedom and the more work required; the further right, the sooner it is usable. The same HSR/PRP capability comes at very different levels of integration.
IP cores
Integrate it into your own FPGA design. You supply both the board and the FPGA, which gives the most freedom but requires logic resources and design effort.
Embedded module
Mount a module pre-programmed with the bitstream on your own board. No FPGA design is required - only board design.
Expansion card
Simply fit it into an existing PC or industrial server. The machine becomes HSR/PRP capable with no software changes.
Ready-built equipment
Install it and connect the cables. No development effort at all, and it goes straight into a substation or similar site.
Which to choose
Start from your situation and work back.
| Your situation | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You already do FPGA design and want to add a function to an existing board | IP core (HPS / MRS) | Buy a licence and integrate it into your own design in Vivado. Port count and QoS are set in the GUI, with no RTL changes needed. |
| You have no FPGA design experience but can design boards | MEZU-A7G8 | Just fit a module pre-programmed with the bitstream. No CPU or Linux is needed, and up to eight ports of L2 processing run entirely in the FPGA. |
| You also need web management, SNMP, SSH and log storage | SMARTzynq / SMARTmpsoc | Because Linux runs on it, you can implement management functions, a PTP stack and security processing. For TSN or advanced security, choose SMARTmpsoc. |
| You want to make an existing SCADA server HSR/PRP capable | RELY-PCIe | Just fit the PCIe card. The host becomes a DANP or DANH with existing software unchanged. Drivers for Windows, Linux and RTOS are provided. |
| You need equipment ready to install in a substation | RELY-RB | A ready-built RedBox with four SFP ports, compliant with IEC 61850-3 and rated -40 to +70 C. It also operates as an HSR-PRP converter or QuadBox. |
| You work in defence or aerospace and need MIL standards | RelyUm Rugged | Covers MIL-STD-810/461/1275/704 and TEMPEST. Certification scope differs by part number and configuration, so it must be confirmed individually. |
HPS versus MRS
If you are choosing an IP core, this distinction matters most.
| Item | HPS | MRS |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | HSR/PRP only, with three ports as standard: ring port A, ring port B and the interlink port | HPS and MES combined: HSR/PRP ports plus standard Ethernet ports |
| Operating mode | DANH / DANP / RedBox / HSR-SAN / HSR-PRP conversion / QuadBox | Everything above, plus operation as an L2 managed switch |
| Maximum ports | Three ports as standard | Up to 32 ports (in practice limited by FPGA resources, PHYs, PTP and VLAN requirements) |
| When to choose it | You only need redundancy and will combine it with existing switches | You want a mixed configuration - say two or three HSR ring ports plus five standard switch ports - on a single chip |
If you do not need HSR/PRP and only want an industrial managed switchMESis the choice. Moving to MRS when HSR/PRP becomes necessary is a practical approach.
Not sure which configuration?
Tell us the port count, the redundancy scheme and whether you need management functions, and we will propose the right tier and product.