EtherCAT Features
Summary
EtherCAT 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 is characterized by outstanding performance, very simple wiring, and openness to other protocols. EtherCAT sets new standards where conventional fieldbus systems reach their limits: 1000 I/Os in 30 µs, optionally twisted-pair cable or optical fiber and, thanks to EthernetEthernet is a large, diverse family of frame-based computer networking technologies that operate at many speeds for local area networks (LANs) and Internet technologies, optimum vertical integration. With EtherCAT, the costly Ethernet star topology can be replaced with a simple line structure - no expensive infrastructure components are required. Optionally, EtherCAT can also be wired in the classic way using switches, to integrate other Ethernet devices. Where other real-time Ethernet approaches require special connections in the controller, for EtherCAT, very cost-effective standard Ethernet cards suffice.
EtherCAT is versatile: Master to Slave, Slave to Slave and Master to Master Communication is supported (see figure below). Safety over EtherCAT is available. EtherCAT makes Ethernet down to the I/O level technically feasible and economically sensible. Outstanding features of this network include full Ethernet compatibility, Internet technologies (even in simple devices), maximum utilization of the large bandwidthIn computer networking, bandwidth often refers to a data rate measured in bits/s, for example, network throughput. The reason for the connection of data rate with the term bandwidth is that the limit to the data rate of a physical communication link is related to its bandwidth in hertz offered by Ethernet, and outstanding real-time characteristics at low costs.
