EtherCAT
Introduction
EtherCAT is an industrial fieldbus widely used in industrial automation. It is an Ethernet-based protocol, standardized in IEC 61158, and suitable for both hard and soft Real-Time.
Master and Slave Devices
On EtherCAT, there are master and slave devices. Often our customers need to implement master functionality using our computer on modules, thus requiring only a software stack.
If slave functionality is required, compatible EtherCAT Slave Controller hardware is also needed due to hard real-time requirements.
EtherCAT on Toradex SoMs
Toradex does not support EtherCAT on its embedded Linux offerings out-of-the-box.
We have partners who provide EtherCAT master functionality for our modules, presented below.
Acontis Technologies
Acontis technologies provides several EtherCAT solutions, such as the EC-Master software stack, among other solutions.
CODESYS
The CODESYS Software PLC Solution offers an EtherCAT master software stack.
You can evaluate CODESYS on Torizon with the Partner Demo Container - Codesys.
Service Partners
Our software partners for EtherCAT, such as BE.services, Triadem and Happiest Minds can help you to implement the best solution for your use case.
Open Source Libraries
While open source solutions exist and you can consider integrating an open-source library such as Simple Open EtherCAT Master (SOEM), we recommend that you use a proven solution from our partners.