EC-1 Remote I/O Solution Helps Shorten EtherCAT Interface Development Time by Approximately 60 Percent
Singapore, August 24, 2016 — Renesas Electronics Singapore today announced the launch of the EC-1, a dedicated EtherCAT® communication system-on-chip (SoC), an industrial Ethernet solution that will help boost production efficiency in factories. The EC-1 is intended for use in slave devices such as sensors and actuators, and in I/O modules equipped with communication functions.
The new EC-1 controls the EtherCAT slave controller, an industrial network protocol which demand is expected to expand.In order to control the slave controller, the EC1 contains the following features: (1) the EC-1 remote I/O solution passed the conformance test tool and cuts development time by approximately 60 percent, (2) the EC-1 simplifies the transition from low speed serial communication to EtherCAT and (3) connectivity has been verified with master devices from ten leading manufacturers. The new EC-1 simplifies the adaption of EtherCAT, by allowing users to get started with development of an EtherCAT slave with much shorter development time to build slave devices such as remote I / O.
Recently, there has been a growing need to boost factory productivity with the coming of Industry 4.0. The use of data networks in factories is becoming more widespread, and the number of devices, such as manufacturing devices, connected to such networks is increasing rapidly. In addition, in the industrial networks used in factories a shift is underway from serial communication, which is relatively slow, to open standards based on Ethernet technology, such as EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP™, and PROFINET. EtherCAT provides highly efficient data transfer that makes possible high-speed and high-precision control. Its use is growing, especially in slave devices such as sensors and actuators used in industrial robots and semiconductor manufacturing devices, which require high-speed and high-precision control. With the recent announcement by one of Japan’s leading automakers of its intention to adopt networks in its factories, the spread of such networks can be expected to continue.
On the other hand, the introduction of a network based on EtherCAT requires a process of new development and evaluation. The development of a new system comprises a large number of stages, including selection of appropriate SoCs; hardware design work such as circuit and layout design; acquisition and implementation of protocols and application processing software; function and performance evaluation; and testing of connections to master devices such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or programmable automation controllers (PACs). This means that the product development time and cost for the user can be considerable. In particular, industrial Ethernet imposes a much larger processing load on the central processing unit (CPU) that was the case with conventional serial communication, which is slower. This means that the user cannot continue to use their current microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs) because their processing capabilities are insufficient. The need to reevaluate data from the CPU on up can result in major changes to existing systems. Also, it may not be possible to reuse existing software resources, resulting in additional increases in the time and cost required for development.
The EC-1 enables users to switch to a new communication protocol without an enormous workload, so they can concentrate on developing the applications themselves. The EC-1 integrates CPU and RAM on a single chip that can manage all the processing necessary for EtherCAT communication. By connecting to an existing system via a serial interface, it is easy to upgrade the existing system to a system supporting EtherCAT. In addition, for development of remote I/O systems, for example, a single EC-1 SoC is sufficient for both application processing and EtherCAT communication. For users interested in newly adopting EtherCAT, Renesas has prepared a remote I/O solution and a variety of sample software specifically for EtherCAT remote I/O development.
Key features of the EC-1:
(1) Remote I/O solution that passed the conformance test tool cuts development time by approximately 60 percent
The remote I/O solution comprises a remote I/O board, software, documentation, and circuit diagrams. It allows the user to get started with development of an EtherCAT slave device right away, and enables a reduction of about 60 percent (Note 1) in the actual work hours required for development. The solution was put together with remote I/O as the target application, and the board is designed to operate on the same 24-volt (V) power supply typical of actual products. The user can also refer to the supplied circuit diagrams when designing their own product. The sample software has already been certified using a conformance test tool. All in all, the solution will enable users to carry out application level development in a configuration very close to that of the actual product.
(2) Simplifies the transition from low speed serial communication to EtherCAT
The new EC-1 enables transition to an EtherCAT support system by connecting to existing low speed serial communication devices to the serial interface. This enables the user to devote their time on the development of the application without spending a lot of man-hours to replace the communication protocol. In addition, the sample software includes a CiA402 (Note 2) drive profile for motor drive devices, as stipulated in IEC 61800-7-201 and IEC 61800-7-301, and ETG.5003.1 and ETG.5003.0002 device profiles (Note 3) for semiconductor manufacturing devices. This makes it possible to quickly construct internal control systems for semiconductor manufacturing devices using servo controllers, mass flow controllers, process controllers, and temperature controllers supplied by manufacturers of slave devices.
(3) Connectivity with master devices from ten leading manufacturers
Connectivity has been verified with master devices from approximately ten manufacturers, making it is easy to implement EtherCAT slave devices with a high level of connection compatibility. In addition to an EtherCAT slave controller, the EC-1 employs as its CPU the ARM® Cortex®-R4 with FPU functionality, which is designed for real-time processing. Therefore, the EC-1 makes the best configuration to send the analog data from an external A / D converter to the master devices after operation.
Renesas plans to actively promote the EC-1 in China, Japan, and other Asian markets as a device that can help shorten the time needed to develop EtherCAT systems, which are becoming increasingly widespread.
Refer to the separate sheet for the main specifications of the EC-1.
Availability
Sample shipment of the EC-1 has now started. (Availability is subject to change without notice.)
(Note 1) Based on Renesas’ research
(Note 2) Drive and motion control device profile as stipulated by IEC 61800-7-201 and IEC 61800-7-301, international standards established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
(Note 3) EtherCAT semiconductor device profile created by the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG).
(Remarks) EtherCAT is a patented technology and registered trademark licensed from Beckhoff Automation GmbH of Germany. EtherNet/IP is a trademark of ODVA. ARM and Cortex are registered trademarks of ARM Limited (or its subsidiaries) in the EU and other countries. All registered trademarks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Renesas Electronics Singapore
Renesas Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live—securely and safely. The number one global supplier of microcontrollers, and a leader in Analog & Power and SoC products, Renesas provides the expertise, quality, and comprehensive solutions for a broad range of Automotive, Industrial, Home Electronics (HE), Office Automation (OA) and Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications to help shape a limitless future.
Renesas Electronics Singapore covers the South-East Asia, India and Oceania markets with subsidiary companies, Renesas Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. and Renesas Electronics Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Learn more at www.renesas.com.
The content in the press release, including, but not limited to, product prices and specifications, is based on the information as of the date indicated on the document, but may be subject to change without prior notice.