EtherCAT

The real-time Ethernet solution, EtherCAT (“Ethernet for Control Automation Technology”) has been an IEC-standardized, open protocol that was standardized by the IEC in 2005 and is characterized specifically by the following properties:

• Very short cycle times
• Obtain accurate synchronization due to distributed clocks
• Jitter of only ≤ 1 µs

Thanks to its real-time capability, EtherCAT can be used, for example, where processes should run with simultaneous actions despite being spatially distributed.

Fast and precise diagnostics are possible with EtherCAT using time stamps. Since EtherCAT, as an Ethernet-based fieldbus, uses the standard Ethernet frames in accordance with IEEE 802.3, EtherCAT communication can be monitored using standard Ethernet monitoring tools.