EtherCAT is open

EtherCAT technology is not only fully Ethernet-compatible, but is also characterized by its conceptual openness: the protocol is compatible with other Ethernet-based services and protocols on the same physical network – usually with only a minimal loss of performance:

• In EtherCAT DirectMode tunneled "onto" the EtherCAT frame (EoE: Ethernet over EtherCAT):
• The EtherCAT network is fully transparent for the Ethernet device, and the real-time characteristics of the EtherCAT are not impaired.
• There is no restriction on the type of Ethernet device that can be connected within the EtherCAT segment via a switch port.
• EtherCAT devices can also have a TCP/IP stack and therefore behave externally like a normal Ethernet device.
• The master serves as a virtual switch that transfers the frames to the respective devices according to the address information.
• Directly next to each other at the same time in EtherCAT OpenMode.

EtherCAT Technology Group

The EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG, www.ethercat.org) is the international manufacturer and user association with a mission to disseminate, further develop and support EtherCAT. All companies are invited to become members.

Internationally standardized

The EtherCAT Technology Group is an official standardization partner of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). The EtherCAT specification was published by the IEC as IEC/PAS 62407 and is available from the IEC (www.iec.ch). It is currently integrated in the following fieldbus standards: IEC 61158, IEC 61800-7 and ISO 15745.