Map I/O from the Project Explorer

  1. In the Project Explorer, expand the Controller node and the EtherCATClosedEtherCAT is an open, high-performance Ethernet-based fieldbus system. The development goal of EtherCAT was to apply Ethernet to automation applications which require short data update times (also called cycle times) with low communication jitter (for synchronization purposes) and low hardware costs node(s) to access your devices. 
    AKT (K-Bus) devicesAKT2G (E-Bus) devices
  2. Depending upon the device, the properties are accessed in slightly different ways.
    AKD or AKD2GAKD PDMM or PCMMI/O SliceThird-Party Devices
    Double-click on the drive and select the I/O tabDouble-click Controller Onboard I/ODouble-click the I/O Slice under EtherCAT (AKT2G) or in the Coupler entry (AKT).Double-click the device and select the PDO Selection/Mapping tab.
     
  3. There are several ways to map variables:

The Unmap command in the contextual menu (see figure in step 5 above) allows you to remove the link between the variable and the associated channel(s). In addition, deleting a variable from the dictionary which is mapped to the channel(s) also removes the link(s).


  • Important Note About PLC Variable Mapping

    Please be aware of the following limitation of PLC variables.
    Each PLC variable can be mapped to an EtherCAT I/O and exclusively to either:
    • a Controller Onboard I/O
    • an external driver
    For example, the same PLC variable cannot be mapped to both Profinet and a Controller Onboard I/O but it is possible with a regular EtherCAT I/O.