Has anyone successfully implemented a full EtherCAT slave using XMOS? What protocols are available?
I am debating attempting this or using a Beckhoff ASIC but there is a obvious advantage to using the XMOS chips to process multiple Ethernet protocols using a single PHY.
EtherCAT
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Andy
- Respected Member
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Hi smuraski,
Yes - I believe EtherCAT has been implemented by at least one person. The user posted here:
http://www.xmos.com/discuss/viewtopic.p ... 82&start=0
We have a feasibility study and some example code on Github:
https://github.com/xcore/sc_ethercat
Would you be interested in helping develop this further as an open source project?
Yes - I believe EtherCAT has been implemented by at least one person. The user posted here:
http://www.xmos.com/discuss/viewtopic.p ... 82&start=0
We have a feasibility study and some example code on Github:
https://github.com/xcore/sc_ethercat
Would you be interested in helping develop this further as an open source project?
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matrix
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There is a topic about openEtherCat:
http://www.xcore.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=498
BTW, XMOS Semiconductors is a member of the EtherCat Technology Group.
http://www.xcore.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=498
BTW, XMOS Semiconductors is a member of the EtherCat Technology Group.
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smuraski
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Hello Andy,
I may be interested, however the product that I am interested in developing would not be a standard EtherCAT slave implementation. I also would need to evaluate the progress that has already been achieved. My cost on the Beckhoff ET1200 ASIC is approximately $12 in qty. It is hard to justify a lengthy development cycle. The ET1100 ASIC is still less than $20 in qty. Each ASIC has markets it is better suited to support, but I would have to spend considerable time working on the EtherCAT slave code as well as verification before any product related hardware/software could begin.
How far did the feasability study get in the implementation? Does it include compatability with Beckhoff TwinCAT master software and System Master? Is there a white paper relating to the feasability study?
I may be interested, however the product that I am interested in developing would not be a standard EtherCAT slave implementation. I also would need to evaluate the progress that has already been achieved. My cost on the Beckhoff ET1200 ASIC is approximately $12 in qty. It is hard to justify a lengthy development cycle. The ET1100 ASIC is still less than $20 in qty. Each ASIC has markets it is better suited to support, but I would have to spend considerable time working on the EtherCAT slave code as well as verification before any product related hardware/software could begin.
How far did the feasability study get in the implementation? Does it include compatability with Beckhoff TwinCAT master software and System Master? Is there a white paper relating to the feasability study?
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Andy
- Respected Member
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I believe that the feasibility study focussed on achieving a low latency MII interface and a "rudimentary EtherCAT protocol handler", according to the documentation in Github. I don't think it's at the stage where it can be tested with Beckhoff software.
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dan
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The feasibility study was indeed just a bit of code to confirm we could implement the most demanding parts of the standard in a reasonable number of threads.
From this effort it appears to us it's doable (a single ethercat slave unit) on a XS1-L1 (500 Mhz).
At the very, very most, an L2 would be needed and would be likely to leave sufficient free resources to implement a drive controller or something. Certainly a G4 would be overkill.
From this effort it appears to us it's doable (a single ethercat slave unit) on a XS1-L1 (500 Mhz).
At the very, very most, an L2 would be needed and would be likely to leave sufficient free resources to implement a drive controller or something. Certainly a G4 would be overkill.