Installing a firmware update on EtherCAT Terminals

EtherCAT Terminals can be updated with new firmware via FoE (File over EtherCAT) using the Automation Interface. FoE is an EtherCAT file transfer protocol that is transmitted directly within the EtherCAT frame. The ConsumeXml call is executed on the EtherCAT master, not on the slave itself. The master coordinates the download to the specified terminals.

C# sample

ITcSmTreeItem masterItem = sysManager.LookupTreeItem(@"TIID^EtherCAT Master");

// FoE download to one or more terminals simultaneously
masterItem.ConsumeXml(@"
<TreeItem>
  <EtherCAT>
    <FoeDownload>
      <Filepath>C:\Firmware\EL3204_06.efw</Filepath>
      <Slave>Term 5 (EL3204)</Slave>
      <Slave>Term 6 (EL3204)</Slave>
    </FoeDownload>
  </EtherCAT>
</TreeItem>");

PowerShell sample

$masterItem = $sysManager.LookupTreeItem("TIID^EtherCAT Master")
$masterItem.ConsumeXml(@"
<TreeItem>
  <EtherCAT>
    <FoeDownload>
      <Filepath>C:\Firmware\EL3204_06.efw</Filepath>
      <Slave>Term 5 (EL3204)</Slave>
      <Slave>Term 6 (EL3204)</Slave>
    </FoeDownload>
  </EtherCAT>
</TreeItem>
"@)
Installing a firmware update on EtherCAT Terminals 1:

The device must be accessible in EtherCAT mode (TwinCAT in RUN or CONFIG mode with an active EtherCAT connection). Depending on the terminal size, the process takes several seconds. The Beckhoff download area lists which .efw file is required for each terminal.