Multi-configuration mode

Description

Multi-configuration mode enables users to operate different hardware, e.g. EP9300-0022 with varying EtherCAT devices, with the same project configuration.

This description uses EtherCAT Terminals (ELxxxx) in the examples. The same principle applies to EtherCAT Box modules (EPxxxx).

Task

The machine manufacturer has a machine, which is to be sold with different options. The options are usually additional signals to be processed and logged, for which additional terminals are required.

For all these options the project configuration should be retained and only be varied via the software. The actual machine options are included in the parameterization.

Solution

The multi-configuration mode is used to configure the maximum number of options in the project configuration. If the machine has less than the maximum number of options, EtherCAT Terminals can be omitted, since these signals are not required. Although unused EtherCAT Terminals are included in the maximum project configuration, they can be disabled by the controller, so that the hardware and the parameterized configuration match again. As soon as this is done, EP9300-0022 switches to normal data exchange.

Advantage

Less effort for creating and maintaining projects, since the same project configuration can be used for different hardware.

Example

The standard machine configuration, without options, consists of:

1x EP9300-0022
2x EP2008-0001
2x EP1008-0001
1x EP5101-0002

The following options can be added:

With automatic adjustable axis: additionally one EP7041-0002
With temperature measurement: additionally one EP3314-0002

The maximum extension (with optional EtherCAT devices represented in italics) thus looks like this:

1x EP9300-0022
2x EP2008-0001
2x EP1008-0001
1x EP5101-0002
1 x EP7041-0002
1 x EP3314-0002

It is this maximum configuration that is reflected in the hardware configuration.

If the machine is ordered without options, the EtherCAT devices EP7041-0002 and EP3314-0002 must be deactivated in the project planning. To this end the EP9300-0022 is informed of which EtherCAT devices are omitted by Record Data (acyclic communication). The EtherCAT devices are identified via their position.
Without options, there are two EP2008-0001 (at positions 1 and 2), two EP1008-0001 (at positions 3 and 4) and one EP5101-0002 (at position 5). The EtherCAT devices at positions 6 and 7 (optional EtherCAT devices) must be deactivated.

If the machine is ordered with the option "automatic adjustable axis", only the EtherCAT device at position 7 needs to be deactivated.

	Position of optional EtherCAT devices Optional EtherCAT devices can also be present at any position in the EtherCAT network, in order to possibly deactivate them. As shown in the example, they do not have to be inserted at the end.

First steps

In order to enable EP9300-0022 to operate in multi-configuration mode, MultiConfigurationMode must be set to "TRUE" in the DAP (device access point).

There are two possible setting options.

Option 1

This is perhaps a version for testing, since the hardware configuration must be adjusted, which should preferably be avoided.

In the DAP there is a MultiConfigurationMode setting with the slots. Here you can disable EtherCAT Terminals, which are configured but not present.

For some PROFINET controllers this must happen on startup, while other PROFINET controllers enable it to occur at runtime, which simplifies testing significantly. Disabling/enabling of terminals at runtime is a feature of the PROFINET controller and may or may not be possible in practice, depending on the manufacturer of the PROFINET controller.

Option 2

The configuration is sent by the PLC via the record data. Here too, the manufacturers offer different options. Contact the manufacturer of your PROFINET controller, if you have any queries.
A requirement for option 2 is that your PROFINET controller allows and supports access to the record data.

PROFINET record data (write request)	Value	Meaning
Slot*	0	Slot number, always "0"
SubSlot*	1	Sub-slot number, always "1"
Index	0#2010	PROFINET index number
Length	variable	Length of the following data
Data	Each Bus Terminal requires 2 bits: 00_bin terminal present 10_bin terminal not present	Enabling/disabling of the EtherCAT devices

* For some PROFINET controllers these data are automatically taken from the GSDML and do not have to be configured.

Procedure

Once the station has been configured, the following steps are required.

If the machine is ordered with the maximum configuration (with all options), generally no action is required, since the hardware matches the project configuration.

If one of the options is not included, then hardware and project planning differ. The PROFINET coupler indicates this via the message "Module difference".
Now disable the terminals, which are not present. When this is done, the message "Module Difference" is removed from the coupler. If the message "Module Difference" remains, you may have the wrong slot or too few slots disabled.

	No subslots Subslots are not counted and cannot be used for the multi-configuration mode. Only slots can be used, irrespective of a module using subslots or not.

	No Shared Device The Shared Device feature cannot be used when the multi-configuration mode is used.

	No pack or () terminals Pack or () terminals cannot be used in multi-configuration mode.