BLIIoT EtherCAT EdgeIO Distributed IO Module BL200EC

1.?What is EtherCAT protocol？

Brief introduction

EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is an Ethernet-based fieldbus system invented by Beckhoff Automation. The protocol is standardized in IEC 61158 and is suitable for both hard and soft real-time computing requirements in automation technology.

The goal during development of EtherCAT was to apply Ethernet for automation applications requiring short data update times (also called cycle times; ≤ 100 μs) with low communication jitter (for precise synchronization purposes; ≤ 1 μs) and reduced hardware costs.

Protocol

The EtherCAT protocol is optimized for process data and is transported directly within the standard IEEE 802.3 Ethernet frame using Ethertype 0x88a4. It may consist of several sub-telegrams, each serving a particular memory area of the logical process images that can be up to 4 gigabytes in size. The data sequence is independent of the physical order of the nodes in the network; addressing can be in any order. Broadcast, multicast and communication between slaves is possible, but must be initiated by the master device. If IP routing is required, the EtherCAT protocol can be inserted into UDP/IP datagrams. This also enables any control with Ethernet protocol stack to address EtherCAT systems.

2.?EtherCAT Edge Distributed IO Module BL200EC

The BL200EC coupler supports the standard EtherCat protocol access, the coupler supports the maximum input 1024 byte, the maximum output of 1024 byte, and the number of supported IO modules is 32.

EtherCAT I/O Coupler BL200EC designed for Industrial Real-Time Ethernet, it adopts embedded Linux system, equips with?Real-Time Ethernet interface chip and a dual-port memory，supports two communication channels for Real-Time Ethernet equipped with PHY or fieldbus，compatible with EtherCAT，fast SPI host interface with Read/Write functions.

3.?Typical applications

Typical application fields for EtherCAT are machine controls (e.g. semiconductor tools, metal forming, packaging, injection molding, assembly systems, printing machines, robotics). Remote controlled hump yard facilities used in the railroad industry.

Control and Adjustment

For the control and adjustment of the physical process, high data integrity, data security and synchronization are needed. Ethercat is designed for such applications to meet all the needs of rapid control.

Measuring System

The characteristics of modern measurement systems are multi -channel, synchronization and accuracy. Due to EtherCat's advanced protocol characteristics, it ensures high -efficiency synchronous data throughput. Based on the Ethernet network characteristics, the measurement network has a distributed measurement module.

The BL200EC coupler is used as EtherCat from the station. It is connected to the Ethercat main station based on Ethernet through the ETH 1 interface. ETH 1 can also connect to the EtherCat main station through the switch. ETH2 is used to connect other nodes that need to access Ethernet. Essence The BL200EC couplet does not have a separate webpage configuration interface.

4. Features

• Maximum 32 I/O modules can be connected;
• Support a variety of industrial communication?EtherCAT protocols.
• Support access to Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, AWS Cloud, Thingsboard, Ignition, etc.;
• Built-in programmable logic control, edge computing;
• The field side, the system side and the bus side are electrically isolated from each other;
• Support 2 X RJ45 interface, integrate switch function, can establish line topology, save switch or hub; The dual network ports adopt the MAC layer data exchange technology to realize the cascade between modules, and the downtime of the middle module will not affect the data transmission of the following equipment.
• Convenient wiring connection technology, screw-free installation.

More information:?https://www.iot-solution.com/ethercat-io-module-p00349p1.html