This section provides an overview for ethercats as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 3 ethercat manufacturers and their company rankings.
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EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is an industrial network standard compatible with Ethernet, designed for high-speed, efficient, and precise synchronization in field networks.
It connects various elements like computers, controllers, and drive devices (sensors, measuring instruments, motors) in industrial networks. EtherCAT is distinct from LAN used in information systems and is recognized for its high-speed communication capabilities.
The EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) defines its functional requirements and certifications, with about 2,400 member companies worldwide.
EtherCAT is widely used in industrial automation, efficiently connecting drive devices, controllers, and computers. It is applicable in various industries including robotics, welding, cranes, measurement devices, and more.
EtherCAT allows flexible connection forms like line, tree, star, and daisy-chain. In a daisy-chain setup, information transfer follows a bucket relay fashion, where each slave processes relevant instructions and forwards the frame.
The network consists of a master control device and slaves (input/output devices). Connections can vary, and devices are typically connected using RJ45 twisted-pair cables. EtherCAT frames are inserted into Ethernet frames for transmission.
EtherCAT has evolved to include EtherCAT P, EtherCAT Automation Protocol (EAP), and Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE).
EtherCAT P integrates power supply with EtherCAT communication, reducing the need for additional cabling and supporting device miniaturization.
EAP allows higher-level operating devices on a generic LAN to control EtherCAT-connected devices.
FSoE focuses on safety in factory control through EtherCAT communication.
EtherCAT uses Ethernet frames but bypasses TCP/IP protocol processing for higher speed. It requires hardware capable of withstanding industrial environments and has a connection limit of 65,535 devices.
EtherCAT is one of the fastest industrial Ethernet technologies, with low CPU load and high-speed communication capabilities.
Diverse EtherCAT slaves are available, and custom development is possible. Any PC with an RJ45 Ethernet port can serve as an EtherCAT master, simplifying the implementation.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company is a developer and manufacturer of control solutions for global markets including the automotive, industrial, communications, human-machine interface, and connectivity industries. The company’s products include microcontrollers, field-programmable gate array products, MOSFET and radio frequency products, and both wired and wireless communications products. The company’s services include wafer foundry and assembly services, test subcontracting manufacturing services, development tools for enabling system designers to program microcontrollers and processors, and timing system products.
Odot Automation System Co. Ltd, established in 2003 and headquartered in Sichuan Province, China, is a manufacturer of industrial communication products and industrial automation control system designs. The company offers communication protocols and control products, including protocol converters, serial device servers, and field buses. Its C series remote IO system features high-speed backplane bus technology for data acquisition, factory automation, and process automation. It provides solutions for smart manufacturing across diverse sectors, including auto, textile, and food. The company is an active member of various associations like Profibus and Profinet Association, EtherCAT Technology Association, and Industrial Internet Alliance.
Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 1 | 50.0% |
China | 1 | 50.0% |