EtherCAT
Sign in to saveEtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is an Ethernet-based fieldbus system developed by Beckhoff Automation. The protocol is standardized in IEC 61158 and is suitable for both hard and soft real-time computing requirements in automation technology.
Article
26 sectionsContents
- Features
- Principles
- Protocol
- Performance
- Topology
- Synchronization
- Diagnosis
- Device Profiles
- CAN application protocol over EtherCAT (CoE)
- Servodrive-Profile over EtherCAT (SoE)
- Related protocols
- Ethernet over EtherCAT (EoE)
- Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE)
- File over EtherCAT (FoE)
- Monitoring
- Gateways
- Implementation
- Master
- Slave
- Control and regulation
- Measurement systems
- Organization
- Standardization
- Further reading
- Notes and references
- External links
EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is an Ethernet-based fieldbus system developed by Beckhoff Automation. The protocol is standardized in IEC 61158 and is suitable for both hard and soft real-time computing requirements in automation technology.
The goal during development of EtherCAT was to apply Ethernet for automation applications requiring short data update times (also called cycle times; ≤ 100 μs) with low communication jitter (for precise synchronization purposes; ≤ 1 μs) and reduced hardware costs. Typical application fields for EtherCAT are machine controls. This includes semiconductor tools, metal forming, packaging, injection molding, assembly systems, printing machines, and robotics.