ETAS ES910.3-A - Ethercat Operating Mode; Feature

ES910.3-A - User’s Guide 35
ETAS Functional Description
4.11.3 "EtherCAT" Operating Mode
EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is a fieldbus system
based on Ethernet developed by Beckhoff and the EtherCAT Technology Group
(ETG). EtherCAT is open technology that is standardized in international stan-
dards.
Application of the EtherCAT Bus in the Automotive Sector
The very fast EtherCAT bus is suitable for use in critical applications: for example,
in the automotive sector, an engine test bench can be connected directly with
the INCA-MCE hardware via the real time-capable protocol. The EtherCAT pro-
tocol is supported by INCA-MCE for this fast measurement and calibration privi-
lege to the ECU.
Besides the fast ECU access, the use of EtherCAT enables the automation of test
bench components, such as the indexing system, exhaust gas analysis and special
measuring technology. A global clock that is synchronizing the devices allows
compiling decentrally acquired measuring data and analyzing them together.
Synchronization of ETAS Modules in EtherCAT Operating Mode
In the EtherCAT operating mode of the IO interface, ES910.3-A takes over the
function of an EtherCAT slave device within an EtherCAT segment. The ES910.3-
A and connected ETAS modules of this system are synchronized with the Ether-
CAT system clock. The ETAS hardware synchronization function at the PC inter-
face (SYNC IN) of ES910.3-A is deactivated in the EtherCAT operating mode.
Connecting the EtherCAT Bus
A cable for connecting the EtherCAT bus to the IO interface of ES910.3-A will be
provided by ETAS Engineering upon request. Cable lengths of up to 30 m can be
supplied.
4.11.4 Feature
The applications at the IO interface supported by ES910.3-A are located in an
overview in chapter 7.6.2 on page 78.
Note
For additional information about EtherCAT, see the homepage of the EtherCAT
Technology Group (ETG) that continues the development of the protocol.
Note
For additional information about EtherCAT, see the specifications for the ECU
data presentation and implementation details in conjunction with the Ether-
CAT protocol which are available from ETAS GmbH upon request.
Note
For additional information about the application access via EtherCAT as Ether-
CAT slave device see chapter 5.4.4 on page 55 and the INCA-MCE User's
Guide.