The new EK1000 EtherCAT TSN Coupler enables communication among EtherCAT segments with remote EtherCAT controllers with heterogeneous Ethernet networks. Through support of TSN (time-sensitive networking) functions, the coupler minimizes delays caused by switches in Ethernet networks and the range of EtherCAT I/O Terminals and other EtherCAT devices used in TSN network environments.
Placing the coupler as the first device within an EtherCAT segment provides two Ethernet interfaces: one 100 Mbit/s port connects the coupler with the Ethernet or TSN network; the second port is for optional integration of additional remote EtherCAT devices. The EK1000 ensures the transfer of telegrams from one port to the other with minimized delay to provide TSN networks with EtherCAT features such as distributed clocks and eXtreme Fast Control.
Company Product Description
The EK1000 EtherCAT Coupler supports EtherCAT communication via a switched Ethernet network, combining TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) with the wide I/O range of EtherCAT Terminals. The EK1000 EtherCAT Coupler also enables EtherCAT communication in standard Ethernet networks.
In addition, proven EtherCAT features such as distributed clocks and XFC can also be used within a TSN network. In this way, the EK1000 effectively links EtherCAT and TSN networks and combines their benefits: EtherCAT provides a real-time capable single-device level and is therefore ideally suited to combine the numerous small data packets of digital and analog inputs that are typical for industrial environments into a complete process image. TSN, on the other hand, defines a physical layer, which only relates to the switch layer in switched Ethernet networks. As a real-time extension of the general Ethernet technology, it controls the procedures and priorities for the transport of Ethernet telegrams through a TSN-capable, switched network. The EtherCAT Coupler has two RJ45 ports.
One of these 100 Mbit/s ports connects the EK1000 to the Ethernet or TSN network. The second port enables EtherCAT network extensions, e.g. via the EK1100 EtherCAT Coupler. The EK1000 extends the TwinCAT automation software with a TSN-capable version of EtherCAT communication. In this way, TSN networks can also be managed seamlessly, and EtherCAT devices located in different terminal strands can be addressed via the TSN network.
