Configurator


Configurator is a software program that serves to configure an EtherCAT network manually or edit and initiate a Master with an automatically defined configuration as well as parameterize devices in the network. This configurator utilizes device description files – ESI (EtherCAT Slave Information files) provided by slaves vendors which allows for correct interaction between devices and full usage of their functionality. Description files are stored in the library which can be updated and expanded.

Main options

  • Configuring EtherCAT network manually or automatically;
  • Configuration editing;
  • Network devices parameterization;
  • Cycle time assignment;
  • Distributed clocks adjustment;
  • Configuration export and import of signal names from the CoDeSys® file;
  • Enabling/disabling Redundancy check and Hot Plug function for separate slaves;
  • Creation of Master configuration file according to ETG specifications;
  • Communication with application programs through .net Remoting;
  • Viewing and editing of input/output data (Process Image tab).

Network diagnostics

  • Evaluation of network hardware configuration;
  • Topology viewer;
  • Master and slaves state depiction;
  • Emergency messages;
  • Frame scheduler;
  • Slave memory tab and EEPROM editor.

Statistics gathering

  • Information about current parameters of data trasfer process and network operation.
  • Statistics gathering during EtherCAT telegrams transfer:
    • viewing EtherCAT telegrams log;
    • viewing data charts.
  • Reflection of signals in the form of charts:
    • real time (data logging);
    • reflecting a selection of signal values from a pre-set time period (snapshot chart).

Network coniguration flexibility

  • Creating Master configuration that meets the EtherCAT standards;
  • A library of network components based on device description files (ESI);
  • Projects with several Masters;
  • Integration with developmet tools according to the standards:
    • IEC 61131-3 (PLC configuration or in XML-format)
    • "C" / C++ (*.h files)
  • Communication between slaves through direct exchange of input/output signals (Slave to slave communication).