Lenze EtherCAT Controller-based Automation - Manual (Page 17)

Lenze · Controller-based Automation · EtherCAT® Communication Manual · DMS 6.4 EN · 04/2014 · TD17
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4 The Lenze automation system with EtherCAT
4.1 Brief description of EtherCAT
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4 The Lenze automation system with EtherCAT
This chapter provides basic information about ...
• the structure of the Lenze automation system using the EtherCAT bus system;
• the Lenze Engineering tools required for commissioning;
• the interaction of the components.
4.1 Brief description of EtherCAT

Tip!
Detailed information on EtherCAT is provided on the Internet website of the EtherCAT
Technology Group:
www.ethercat.org
Product features
• EtherCAT is a high-performance bus system based on Ethernet.
• Due to its integrated synchronisation mechanisms based on "distributed clocks", EtherCAT
possesses outstanding real time characteristics.
 Synchronisation with "Distributed clocks" (DC) ( 36)
• EtherCAT provides a higher bandwidth compared to CANopen:
• This enables motion and logic applications to be operated by the same fieldbus.
• The number of the nodes to be controlled is higher.
• The maximally possible bus length is longer.
• EtherCAT can access all field devices via a common interface. Therefore, unlike for the Lenze
CANopen control technology, a division into Logic bus and Motion bus is not required.
• The "Modular Device Profile for IPC" (MDP) is based on the "Modular Device Profile Specification"
of the EtherCAT Technology Group. All (software and hardware) components of the Lenze
Controller or Embedded PC are divided into modules. The list of the modules available is
generated dynamically, depending on the physically available components. The Lenze I/O
system 1000 with the EPM-S130 head end supports the "Modular Device Profile".