以太网用于控制自动化技术（EtherCAT）由Beckhoff开发。它基于CANopen协议和以太网，但与Internet通信或网络通信不同，专门针对工业自动化控制而明确进行了优化。标准由该标准定义和维护EtherCAT技术组。
Using the OSI network model, Ethernet and EtherCAT rely on the same physical and data link layers. Beyond that, the two networks diverge by design as they’re optimized for different tasks. So Ethernet, for example, is designed to send large amounts of data through many different nodes. It’s able to route data to and from billions of separate addresses, allowing communication across vast networks.
来自Beckhoff的AX5000系列等驱动器专门用于利用使用EtherCAT的益处，即使在具有大量设备的网络中也是短循环时间的好处。
EtherCAT是一个快速和确定的网络，以及使用专用硬件和软件处理数据。它使用全双工，主从配置，并适应任何拓扑。它可以在30微秒内处理1,000 I / O点，并在100微秒内与100个伺服轴进行通信。轴接收设置值和控制数据并报告实际位置和状态。轴使用分布式时钟技术同步，该技术是简单版本的IEEE 1588，并将抖动减少到小于1微秒。
The EtherCAT protocol delivers fast throughput because messages are processed in hardware before they’re forwarded to the next slave. Slaves read data relevant to them as the data frame passes and they insert new data into that same data stream on the fly. This doesn’t depend on the run-time of the protocol stack, so processing delays are typically just a few nanoseconds.
提起：运动控制技巧
告诉我们你的想法！