Product category:
Robots and robotic systems
News Release from: KUKA Automation + Robotics | Subject: EtherCAT for Real-Time Control
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 November 2005
Automation networks for real time
control
Acontis Technologies developed AT-ECAT/embedded, a portable EtherCAT master stack for embedded operating systems.
Acontis Technologies developed AT-ECAT/embedded, a portable Ethercat master stack for embedded operating systems In combination with Kuka Controls' real-time extensions, CeWin and VxWin, AT-ECAT/embedded enables the use of a standard Windows platform as Ethercat master in a deterministic Ethercat fieldbus network
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Dec 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Ethercat master stack AT-ECAT/embedded from Acontis has been specially optimized for use in embedded operating systems.
The major advantage for users is that the operating systems, VxWorks and Windows CE, will innately support a large number of network cards which can be used with the AT-ECAT/embedded master without modifications or the need for special drivers.
The new Acontis Ethercat master stack further extends Kuka Controls' position as a technology leader in the industrial automation market.
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AT-ECAT/embedded supports all the protocols defined in the Ethercat specification, such as cyclic process data communication, mailbox communication, Canopen-over-Ethercat protocol, and Filetransfer-Over-Ethercat protocol.
Because the AT-ECAT/embedded master is 100% compatible with standard Ethernet hardware, customers can quickly extend their range of Ethercat products.
The implementation of AT-ECAT/embedded makes CeWin or VxWin-based systems the ideal solution for an Ethercat fieldbus.
The "downward scalability" of Kuka Controls' real-time systems is particularily advantageous: using Windows CE or VxWorks, it is possible to operate a control system even on a small embedded system without or limited graphics, and in addition have the high-end solution with Windows graphics using CeWin or VxWin on a single x86 computer without additional real-time hardware.
Kuka Controls' real-time extensions VxWin 3.1 and CeWin 3.3 allow real-time operating systems, VxWorks and Windows CE respectively, to coexist with Windows XP on a single CPU.
Both Windows XP and the RTOS operate with complete "out-of-the box" functionality, as the extensions do not modify either OS and no adjustments of any kind are required.
Particularly useful is the ability to use all the network cards supported by Windows CE or VxWorks.
In contrast to proprietary real-time extensions, these cards can be used without any modification, thanks to the combination of a standard operating system (VxWorks/Windows CE) with Windows XP.
"Outstanding performance combined with low costs and broad availability are crucial for the high acceptance of the Ethercat technology.
Solutions such as the Ethercat Master AT-ECAT/embedded emphasize this: One software base supporting multiple operating systems, no special hardware for the master is needed.
This product reveals that Ethercat helps to realize high-performance scalable systems." (Martin Rostan, Executive Director, Ethercat Technology Group) The acceptance of Ethercat technology is crucial for broad success.
Solutions such as Ethercat master AT-ECAT/embedded, which achieve the uncomplicated implementation of Ethercat in Windows CE, VxWorks and the Kuka real-time extensions CeWin and VxWin, are advancing our technology even further" say Martin Rostan, Executive Director, ECAT-Technology Group. Request a free brochure from KUKA Automation + Robotics ...
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