Is it possible to make Windows Desktop PC to a Master Host for EtherCAT Network?

I want to control 3 actuators (Orientalmotor) using an Orientalmotor Multi-axis driver that works with EtherCAT, and I'm trying to make a HILS approach using Simulink.

For this case, I was thinking on using a Speedgoat device as slave.

My question lies in how can I make my desktop PC into a Master device that runs with EtherCAT network in order to control these actuators?

Answer 1

[Sanjana]

Hi Giancarlo,

I understand that you wish to model EtherCAT Networks and use a Speedgoat device as slave and desktop PC as Master.

Please follow the below steps to model the EtherCAT Networks:

• On the development computer, install two Ethernet cards in addition to your local area network card. Dedicate one card to linking the development and target computers. Dedicate the other card to EtherCAT network configuration.
• On the target computer, you may consult with Speedgoat support for configuration of the two Ethernet cards in the Speedgoat target machine. A typical configuration dedicates one card to linking the development and target computers and dedicates the other card to model-based EtherCAT communication.
• To configure and diagnose the EtherCAT network, install third-party EtherCAT software. Example vendors and products are: acontis technologies GmbH (EC-Engineer), Beckhoff Automation GmbH (TwinCAT 3).
• Then configure the EtherCAT network and run the Ethernet configuration tool. In the MATLAB Command Window, you can run the below command:
• Finally, configure the EtherCAT Main Device Node Model by configuring the EtherCAT Init, Transmit and Receive blocks.

Below is link which briefly tells about how to model EtherCAT Networks:

https://in.mathworks.com/help/slrealtime/io_ref/hardware-setup-requirements-for-the-beckhoff-twincat-configurator.html

To know more about EtherCAT, you can refer to the below link:

https://in.mathworks.com/help/slrealtime/ethercat.html?s_tid=CRUX_lftnav

Hope this helps!