• Beckhoff Automation Private Limited

EtherCAT, Ultra High-Speed Communication

Ethernet for Control Automation Technology: EtherCAT is the Ethernet solution for industrial automation, characterised by outstanding performance and particularly simple handling. EtherCAT enables the Ethernet star topology to be replaced with a simple line structure. Optionally, EtherCAT may also be wired in the "classic" way using switches, in order to integrate further Ethernet devices. The master requires no special plug-in card and can be implemented on any existing Ethernet controller using a very simple interface. EtherCAT is therefore also well suited to small and medium control technology, where it will also open up new areas of application for distributed I/Os. The extremely high performance of the EtherCAT technology enables control concepts that could not be realised with classic Fieldbus systems. With EtherCAT, a communication technology is available that matches the superior computing capacity of modern Industrial PCs. Beckhoff industrial PCs, embedded PCs of the CX series, control panels with control functionality, and Ethernet PCI cards already offer inherent EtherCAT capability. Beckhoff servo drives are also available with EtherCAT interface. Openness: the EtherCAT technology is not only fully Ethernet-compatible, but also characterised by particular openness "by design". The protocol tolerates other Ethernet-based services and protocols on the same physical network – usually only with minimum loss of performance. Any Ethernet device can be connected within the EtherCAT segment via a switch port terminal without influencing the cycle time. Devices with Fieldbus interface are integrated via EtherCAT fieldbus master terminals.