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EtherCAT Solutions Description


EtherCAT Overview

EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is a real-time Industrial Ethernet technology originally developed by Beckhoff Automation and maintained by the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG). Standardized in IEC 61158, it meets hard and soft real-time requirements for factory automation, motion control, test & measurement, and other time-critical applications.
(Read more: EtherCAT - the Ethernet Fieldbus)

Detail information can also be found in the EtherCAT Brochure, available in various languages.

EtherCAT Start Banner

ICOP’s QEC (Quicker, Easier Control) with EtherCAT Solution

ICOP’s QEC EtherCAT Solution delivers an end-to-end solution, covering the EtherCAT MDevice (master), a range of SubDevices (slaves), and a developer-friendly controller software IDE (86Duino IDE), so teams can build reliable systems faster.
(Read more: ICOP’s “QEC” EtherCAT Solution, Combined with Virtual Programming and Database Libraries, Accelerates Your Industry 4.0 Process)

✔️ Why ICOP + EtherCAT

  • All-in-One control
    Real-time EtherCAT + HMI + Multi-protocol bridge (Ethernet TCP/IP, Modbus, CAN bus) on an industrial platform.
  • Deterministic motion
    Dedicated EtherCAT core (≤1 ms cycle, option down to 125 µs) with low jitter for servo/stepper control.
  • Faster time-to-demo, developer-friendly tooling
    86Duino IDE + sample projects (PP/CSP/CSV) enable motion in days, not weeks.
    With Graphical tools: 86EVA, 86HMI, ArduBlock, and LDmicro.
  • Lower TCO & long-term supply
    Fewer boxes/licenses; SLC eMMC and -20~70 °C wide-temp for reliable deployment. Industrial-grade design (fanless, wide-temp options)
  • Compact Size
    Design for space-limited environments with an industrial-grade as small as 49mm, easy to install, tight control cabinets, machine boxes, or mobile units.

✔️ Why can be Real-time: QEC MDevice Architecture (Dual-Core Vortex86EX2 CPU)

QEC MDevice is built on the dual-core Vortex86EX2 by DMP Electronics and uses the open-source 86Duino IDE (Industrial-Arduino) for rapid development. (Read more: EtherCAT MDevice Benchmark)

  • Master Core (Application CPU)
    Runs the 86Duino (Arduino-style) environment, exchanges data with the EtherCAT core, and can log or upload SubDevice data to servers or databases.
  • Real-Time Core (EtherCAT CPU)
    Executes the EtherCAT MDevice stack with precise synchronization, deterministic cyclic exchange, and fast data acquisition from SubDevices via IPC to the Master Core.
qec-architecture-1

✔️ Core EtherCAT Functions

Based on ETG.1500 guidelines for MDevice implementations, the QEC MDevice is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Initialization interface
  • Configuration interface
  • Process Data (PDO) access interface
  • CAN application protocol over EtherCAT (CoE) access interface
  • File access over EtherCAT (FoE) access interface
  • SubDevice Information Interface (SII) access interface
  • Distributed Clocks (DC) access interface

The programs are designed to run on the FreeDOS operating system and have been compiled using the GCC compiler provided by the DJGPP environment.
(Read more:EtherCAT Library API User Manual)

✔️ Dual-System Synchronization

The primary focus of this section is the synchronization of dual-system PDO data. As illustrated in the diagram below, the User Application and EtherCAT MDevice Library blocks run on the Master System, while the Real-Time EtherCAT MDevice Core runs on the Slave System.
(Read more: EtherCAT Library API User Manual)

Dual-System Synchronization

Developer Libraries and Tools (Open Source & Easy to Use)

86EVA

86EVA

86EVA is a graphical EtherCAT configuration tool that utilizes the EtherCAT Library in the 86Duino IDE.

LEARN MORE

86HMI Editor

86HMI Editor

86HMI Editor is a HMI tool designed for engineers and designers utilizing 86Duino IDE, based on LVGL 7.11.

LEARN MORE

ArduBlock

ArduBlock

ArduBlock is a visual programming language that writes programs by drag and drop building blocks.

LEARN MORE


QEC EtherCAT Product Categories

MDevice - Compact size

MDevice Compact size

Compact and fanless EtherCAT MDevices designed for control cabinets and embedded systems, offering real-time synchronization and reliable performance.

MDevice - Openframe

MDevice OP

Designed for seamless integration into equipment and control panels, the QEC-M Series Openframe MDevice offers EtherCAT real-time control with an embedded HMI for flexible system.

MDevice - Panel PC

MDevice Panel PC

Featuring 9” and 15” front-panel displays, the QEC-M Series Panel PC offers EtherCAT real-time control with a built-in HMI for intuitive operation.

SubDevice - Digital I/O Modules

DIO

EtherCAT SubDevice - Digital I/O modules are equipped with 8, 16, 32 isolated digital input / output channels.

SubDevice - Gateway Modules

HID

EtherCAT SubDevice - HID (Human Interface Device) modules are equipped with MPG, UART ports, Keypad, and LCM.

SubDevice - Analog I/O Modules

AIO

EtherCAT SubDevice - Analog I/O modules are equipped with 4, 6, and 8 ADC / DAC slots., and offer channel-independent configuration and signal type selection.

SubDevice - Compound I/O Modules

CIO

EtherCAT Compound SubDevice. EtherCAT Digital Input/Output + Analog Input/Output + Serial Port (RS-232/485) Module.

SubDevice - Pulse Output Drivers

Pulse Output

EtherCAT Pulse Output Driver.

SubDevice - Junction Modules

Junction

EtherCAT SubDevice - Junction and Fiber Optics modules.

SubDevice - Motor Drivers

Drivers

EtherCAT SubDevice Stepper Motor Controllers, Pulse Output modules, and Servo motors.

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