5 Setting Up EtherCAT Communications with the Sysmac Studio
5-36
NJ/NX-series CPU Unit Built-in EtherCAT Port User’s Manual (W505)
5-7 Confirming Communications after
Completing EtherCAT Configuration
and Settings
If normal network configuration information is downloaded to the CPU Unit, EtherCAT communications
start automatically regardless of the operating mode of the CPU Unit.
After the start of EtherCAT communications, check the process data communications status to ensure
that process data communications are performed normally between the EtherCAT master and all
EtherCAT slaves.
Use one of the following methods to check the process data communications status.
• Controller status monitor of the Sysmac Studio
• System-defined variable
• LED
The content of checking the process data communications status using these methods is given below.
Controller Status Monitor of the Sysmac Studio
On the detailed view of the Controller status monitor, check the item EtherCAT Process Data Com-
munications.
If the item EtherCAT Process Data Communications is Communicating, process data communica-
tions are performed normally. Refer to the Sysmac Studio Version 1 Operation Manual (Cat. No.
W504) for the procedure to display the Controller status monitor of the Sysmac Studio.
System-defined Variable
Check the _EC_PDActive (Process Data Communications Status) system-defined variable in the
user program. If _EC_PDActive is TRUE, process data communications are performed normally.
Indicator
EtherCAT communications are in operational state (process data communications are performed
normally) if the EtherCAT NET RUN indicator on the front of the NJ/NX-series CPU Unit is lit green.
If process data communications are not performed normally, check the event log in the Sysmac Studio
and take suitable measures. Refer to Error Tables in Errors in the EtherCAT Master Function Module in
the NJ/NX-series Troubleshooting Manual (Cat. No. W503-E1-19 or later) for event logs.
• EtherCAT communications are not always established immediately after the power supply is
turned ON. Use the system-defined variable in the user program to confirm that communica-
tions are established before you attempt to control device variables and axis variables
• After you change any EtherCAT slave or Special Unit settings, carefully check the safety of the
controlled system before you restart the Unit.
Checking the Process Data Communications Status
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