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Complete Guide

CC-Link Complete Guide

Control and Communication Link - open fieldbus network by Mitsubishi Electric, dominant in Asian markets.

Type: FieldbusSpeed: 156 kbps to 10 Mbps (fieldbus), 1 Gbps (IE)Released: 1996Organization: CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA)
1 Gbps (CC-Link IE)
Bandwidth
64 stations (fieldbus)
Max Nodes
1200m (fieldbus), 100m per segment (IE)
Max Distance
Yes
Real-Time

Protocol Overview

Control and Communication Link - open fieldbus network by Mitsubishi Electric, dominant in Asian markets.

When to Use CC-Link

Choose CC-Link for Mitsubishi equipment, Asian facilities, or when standardizing on Japanese automation platforms.

Technical Specifications

Physical Layer

  • Physical Layer: RS-485 (fieldbus), Ethernet (IE)
  • Cable Type: Twisted pair, Ethernet (IE versions)
  • Topology: Bus (fieldbus), Star/Ring (IE)
  • Power Over Cable: No

Data Layer

  • Data Link: Token passing / CSMA/CD
  • Encoding: NRZ / Manchester
  • Error Detection: CRC
  • Frame Size: Varies by version

Performance

  • Scan Time: <1ms (IE versions)
  • Deterministic: Yes
  • Real-Time: Yes

Certification

  • Certification Required: Yes
  • License Cost: CLPA membership and conformance testing
  • Version: CC-Link IE Field / CC-Link IE TSN

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

  • ✓Strong presence in Asia
  • ✓Mitsubishi ecosystem integration
  • ✓Multiple speed options
  • ✓CC-Link IE TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking)
  • ✓Cost-effective in Asian markets
  • ✓Growing international presence
  • ✓Motion control support

Disadvantages

  • ✗Limited adoption outside Asia
  • ✗Primarily Mitsubishi ecosystem
  • ✗Less global support than PROFINET/EtherNet/IP
  • ✗Requires CLPA membership for development
  • ✗Documentation mainly in Japanese/Chinese initially

Common Use Cases & Applications

Mitsubishi PLC systems
Asian manufacturing facilities
Machine building (Asia)
Automotive assembly (Asia)
Semiconductor manufacturing
Motion control applications

Industry Adoption

Adoption LevelVery High (Asia), Growing (elsewhere)
Market Share20-30% in Asia, <5% elsewhere
Geographic PresenceStrong in Asia, growing in Europe and Americas
Primary Industries
Automotive (Asia)ElectronicsSemiconductorMachinery

Supported Message Types

Cyclic transmission
Transient transmission
Remote I/O
Remote device

Supported PLC Brands

Mitsubishi
Omron
Yaskawa
SMC
Panasonic
Oriental Motor

Quick Links

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