<< EtherCAT DeviceDesigner <<

Overview

The EtherCAT DeviceDesigner is an easy to handle tool for the fast and cost-saving creation of EtherCAT devices. The tool is tailored to the EtherCAT Slave Stack Code ET9300 by Beckhoff.The object dictionary can be created with only a few mouse clicks on the base of predefined profiles and also the characteristics of the objects can be specified as fast and easy. The EtherCAT DeviceDesigner creates the object dictionary and initializing functions in C source code, an electronic datasheet in XML format and the device documentation. In addition the EtherCAT DeviceDesigner configures the EtherCAT stack and driver package in an optimal way.

Highlights

• tailored to EtherCAT Slave Stack ET9300 by Beckhoff
• fast device development by using predefined, standardized profiles
• helps to avoid double and error prone work by automatic generation of output from a data source
• consistency of the object directory with XML file and the generated documentation
• resource saving configuration of the EtherCAT stack according to the device characteristics
• easy handling through simple input masks for bit coded values

Object dictionary

According to the profiles and input the object dictionary is generated as C source code file that is integrated as interface for the stack into the application. As defined in the configuration it is possible to access the objects of the object dictionary directly as C variable from the application. Alternatively the access to functions is possible via index and subindex.

EtherCAT stack configuration and initializing

According to the definitions of the object directory a configuration- and initializing file is created which secures that only the used services of the EtherCAT stack will be compiled and initialized. By doing so a memory saving configuration of the EtherCAT stack is achieved.

Electronic data sheet (ESI)

All EtherCAT devices must have an electronic data sheet that describes the parameters of the object directory electronically. The EtherCAT DeviceDesigner creates the EDS file in XML format. The files are always according to the recent object dictionary. This helps to avoid error prone work.

Device documentation

A device documentation will be created in HTML and text format. It covers the object dictionary with all its adjustments and descriptions and all other device specific adjustments. The generated documentation reflects always the recent adjustments and latest implementations. It is always up to date. The use of the generated documentation as part of the user documentation of the device is possible.

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