Sercos

What Sercos does

Sercos International e.V. is a non-profit user organization registered in Frankfurt/Main, Germany (headquartered in Kreuzwertheim), founded in 1990 to manage, standardize, and market the Sercos (Serial Real-time Communication System) digital interface. The technology provides deterministic, hard real-time communication between industrial controls, motion devices, I/O, and standard Ethernet nodes, and is standardized under IEC 61491, IEC 61784, and IEC 61158. Sercos has evolved through three generations: Sercos I and II (fiber optic-based, 2-16 Mbit/s) and Sercos III (Ethernet-based, 100 Mbit/s) with cycle times from 31.25 µs to 65 ms and sub-microsecond synchronization accuracy. The organization funds itself through membership dues, IP core licensing (single payment or run-time licenses for FPGA netlists/bit streams), and conformity testing/certification services for slave and master devices, while also providing software tools such as the CoSeMa open-source master API and S-IPS protocol services. Sercos serves machine builders and OEMs (CNC machines, machining centers, robotic systems, packaging machines), automation device manufacturers (controls, drives, I/O, sensors, actuators), end-user factory operators, and research institutes through a horizontal segmentation model. Notable ecosystem assets include CIP Safety on Sercos (SIL3-certified via TUV Rheinland), blended infrastructure coexistence with EtherNet/IP and TCP/IP, OPC UA companion specifications, TSN integration efforts, and partnerships with Bosch Rexroth, ODVA, OCP Foundation, IXXAT, and FPGA vendors (Altera, Lattice, Xilinx). The installed base exceeds 4 million real-time nodes across 500,000+ applications globally, supported by 90+ member companies, 50+ control manufacturers, and 30+ drive manufacturers.

Name

Sercos

Legal name

Sercos International e.V.

Website

https://sercos.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sercos International e.V. is a German non-profit standards organization managing the IEC-standardized Sercos real-time industrial Ethernet protocol, serving machine builders, automation device manufacturers, and factory operators worldwide through membership dues, IP licensing, and certification services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Communication Protocols

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (55111), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Servo Motors & Servo Drives (IMAGACAC)

Keywords

• Industrial communication protocols
• Real-time ethernet
• Automation interfaces
• Motion control networking
• Fieldbus technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Kreuzwertheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Sercos International e.V. is a non-profit user organization funded by membership dues. The organization offers full membership (with voting rights) and basic membership. Membership fees fund the association's operations, technical development, and marketing activities.
2. Technology Licensing: Any company can freely implement a Sercos system. IP cores for FPGAs can be licensed from Sercos International as netlist or bit stream with single payment or run-time license models. Members receive discounts on licenses.
3. Certification and Testing Services: Conformity testing for Sercos slave and master devices conducted in accredited laboratories. Sercos Slave Conformizer testing tool can be purchased by manufacturers for development phase testing and quality control.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sercos International e.V. owns and maintains the Sercos (Serial Real-time Communication System) protocol, an IEC-standardized open digital interface for real-time industrial communication between controls, drives, and decentralized peripherals. It sells and licenses the Sercos III protocol, master/slave software stacks, IP cores/ASICs, conformance tools, and CIP Safety on Sercos to automation equipment manufacturers and machine builders. Its 100+ member companies form the ecosystem that develops, adopts, and certifies Sercos-compliant products.

Product overview

Sercos is an IEC-standardized open digital interface for high-speed real-time communications between industrial controls, motion devices, I/O, peripheral devices, and standard Ethernet nodes. The product portfolio spans three generations: Sercos I/II (fiber optic-based, legacy), Sercos III (current Ethernet-based core product), and emerging Sercos over TSN technology. Key products include the CoSeMa API and S-IPS protocol services for software implementation, the SERCON816 ASIC and EasySlave FPGA module for hardware implementations, and diagnostic/testing tools (IC-Monitor, Slave Conformizer, Test Master). Safety capabilities are provided via CIP Safety on Sercos for SIL3 applications. The blended infrastructure feature enables integration with EtherNet/IP and TCP/IP on shared networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sercos III协议 (Sercos III protocol) IEC-standardized open digital interface for real-time industrial communication between controls, drives, and decentralized peripherals. Sold to and licensed for automation equipment manufacturers and machine builders integrating real-time Ethernet into factory automation and motion control systems.
• CIP Safety on Sercos Functional safety profile enabling CIP Safety communication over the Sercos network for safety-critical automation devices. Used by automation OEMs and device manufacturers needing integrated functional safety on a real-time Ethernet backbone.
• Common Sercos Master API (CoSeMa) Reference master software stack (API) that lets developers build Sercos III master implementations. Targeted at controller and IPC vendors integrating Sercos master functionality into their automation platforms.
• Sercos Internet Protocol Services (S-IPS / S.IP) Software component implementing the IP services layer of Sercos III, handling IP channel communications for master implementations. Used by automation OEMs building Sercos III-compatible controllers and master devices.
• Sercos III SoftMaster Software-based Sercos III master implementation suitable for PC-based controllers and embedded platforms. Used by automation OEMs and system integrators needing a flexible, software-only master without dedicated hardware.
• SERCON816 ASIC Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that implements Sercos slave and master functionality on-chip. Designed for hardware OEMs integrating Sercos connectivity directly into drives, controllers, and field devices.
• EasySlave IP core / FPGA-based Sercos slave implementation that simplifies adding Sercos connectivity to FPGA-based devices. Targeted at FPGA designers and device manufacturers building Sercos-compliant peripherals.
• IC-Monitor Protocol analysis and monitoring tool used to inspect, capture, and diagnose Sercos traffic. Used by device developers, integrators, and field service engineers for development and troubleshooting.
• Sercos IPS Conformizer Conformance test tool for verifying S.IP / IPS implementations against the Sercos specification. Used by device manufacturers preparing for Sercos certification.
• Sercos Slave Conformizer Conformance test tool for verifying Sercos slave implementations against the Sercos specification. Used by device manufacturers validating slave devices prior to certification.
• MultiSlave-Emulator Emulator that simulates multiple Sercos slaves simultaneously for testing and validating Sercos master implementations. Used by master developers and integrators building and debugging control systems.
• Sercos III Test Master Test master tool used to validate and certify Sercos III slave devices in lab and production environments. Used by certification labs and device manufacturers.
• CIP Safety Protocol Software Software implementation of the CIP Safety protocol stack for integration into Sercos-compliant devices. Used by safety device manufacturers embedding functional safety into drives, I/O, and controllers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 97% bandwidth efficiency vs ~5% for individual packet transmission
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bosch RexrothcoreTechnology or IntegrationBosch Rexroth provides the Sercos eLearning platform through its Rexroth Academy, offering free guest access to training on Sercos basics, features, technical details, and applications. Bosch Rexroth also implements Sercos in products like ctrlX Drive and Lexium MC12 Multi Carrier systems.
• ODVAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSercos developed CIP Safety on Sercos in cooperation with ODVA. The CIP Safety protocol is also used for EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet, enabling universal connectivity across safety devices. Partnership continues with machine initiative to take results from ODVA collaboration into account.
• OCP FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSercos International is partnering with OCP Foundation as part of the machine initiative to incorporate results from collaboration into future specifications, particularly for condition monitoring profiles.
• AutomatacoreTechnology or IntegrationAutomata provides Sercos hardware solutions including PCI plug-in cards for test masters and MultiSlave emulators. The company offers maintenance and technical support for FPGA-based controllers and Sercos III interface cards.
• Steinbeis Embedded Systems Technologies GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped the IC-Monitor diagnostic tool in cooperation with Sercos International. Provides maintenance and technical support for EasySlave FPGA-based implementation.
• Steinbeis Transfer Center EsslingencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides maintenance and technical support for EasySlave - an FPGA-based single-chip implementation for simple peripheral I/O devices like encoders, measuring probes, or valve terminals.
• IXXATcoreTechnology or IntegrationIXXAT offers pre-certified CIP Safety protocol software for developing Sercos and EtherNet/IP safety devices up to SIL3. Provides services including initial advice, integration workshops, hardware/software integration support, and device certification assistance.
• Altera, Lattice, XilinxcoreTechnology or IntegrationFPGA manufacturers offering different versions of Sercos III FPGA components. IP cores can be licensed from Sercos International for use in these FPGAs as Sercos III communications controllers or universal SOPC solutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FieldComm Group: Manages FOUNDATION Fieldbus and HART protocols for process automation. Comparable in structure as a vendor-independent standards organization governing industrial communication protocols with member-driven technology development and certification services.
• ODVA: Manages CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) including EtherNet/IP and CIP Safety. ODVA is both a direct standards competitor (EtherNet/IP overlaps with Sercos via blended infrastructure) and a cooperation partner of Sercos on CIP Safety on Sercos.
• CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA): Manages the CC-Link family of industrial networks including CC-Link IE, a real-time Ethernet protocol. Operates as a vendor-independent membership organization with similar technology licensing, certification, and member-based promotion model as Sercos International.
• OPC Foundation: Manages the OPC UA industrial interoperability standard. Sercos already publishes an OPC UA Companion Specification that maps Sercos device data to OPC UA, positioning OPC Foundation as both a complementary standards body and a long-term competitor at the IT/OT convergence layer.
• PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI): Largest industrial communication standards organization globally, managing PROFIBUS and PROFINET. Like Sercos, PI is a non-profit membership organization that licenses technology, certifies devices, and competes for the same real-time Ethernet machine-builder and device-manufacturer customers.
• EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG): Vendor-independent organization that manages the EtherCAT real-time Ethernet protocol, a direct head-to-head competitor to Sercos III in industrial motion control. Both are IEC-standardized open protocols with membership models targeting servo/motion-control applications.

Broad incumbents

• Beckhoff Automation: Owner and primary driver of EtherCAT, the closest competing real-time Ethernet protocol. Beckhoff is the corporate sponsor equivalent of what Sercos' multi-member non-profit organization represents, and its EtherCAT products directly compete with Sercos-enabled drives and controllers.
• Bosch Rexroth: Major drive and control manufacturer implementing Sercos in ctrlX Drive and Lexium MC12, and hosting the Sercos eLearning platform. Comparable as a broad industrial automation incumbent whose product portfolio includes Sercos-compatible motion control offerings.

Emerging players

• Avnu Alliance: Industry consortium driving adoption of deterministic networking including TSN in professional AV and industrial markets. Sercos over TSN competes with Avnu-promoted TSN profiles for the same converged real-time Ethernet slot in next-generation factories.
• IO-Link Consortium: Manages the IO-Link point-to-point sensor/actuator protocol. Sercos explicitly integrates IO-Link for sensor-level connectivity, making IO-Link Consortium a complementary technology partner and emerging competitor for sensor-level industrial connectivity share.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SercosNA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SercosInternational
• Facebookfacebook.com/Sercos.Automation.Bus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sercos-international

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sercos