TMS320F28388D: Is there a method to bypass EtherCAT signal?

Hi,

The customer wants to bypass the board, but they don't want the F28388D to be visible to the host computer? Why do they want to connect to it then? 

Best Regards,

Ben Collier

Hi Ben,

My customer has one platform built-in two F28388D supports two EtherCAT slave devices, in a special use case the end customer wants to bypass one EtherCAT salve on that platform, means that the end customer wants to determine one or two EtherCAT slave can be visible by the host.
Is there any software method can do that?

Regards,

Luke.

Luke,

Thank you for the explanation, I'll need a few days to think about the best way to implement something like this. 

Best Regards,

Ben Collier

Ben,

Do you think configure port0 to other port number can do this, for example port3?

Do you have any idea please?

Regards,

Luke

Luke,

I have a meeting with some EtherCAT experts tomorrow. I'll make sure to bring this up.

Best Regards,

Ben Collier

Luke,

Could you explain the configuration of the etherCAT connections in their system? I want to understand how the two ports are being used in normal operation. In most cases, when customers are using both EtherCAT ports it is because the C2000 device is in the middle of an EtherCAT chain. If one of the ports is not working, then the chain will be broken for parts further down the chain.

Is the customer ok with breaking this chain by disabling one of their ports? If so, the customer can write to their PHY to power down or reset it. This will make it not function. Please let me know if you need help with this.

Best Regards,

Ben Collier

Hi Ben,

The configuration is as below,

EtherCAT chain --> P0 of F28388D_1 IN --> P1 of F28388D_1 OUT --> P0 of F28388D_2 IN --> P1 of F28388D_2 OUT --->  EtherCAT chain.

My customer wants to bypass EtherCAT signal, not break the chain.

Best regards,

Luke

Luke,

I just want to make sure that I understand what you want. We have the below diagram:

You just want a way to make sure that data is transferred from P0 to P1, and vice versa? Are you planning to use the 'EPU' to process that data?

Best Regards,

Ben Collier

Ben,

Yes, the data is transfered from P0 to P1 and vice versa, don't need EPU to process the data.

Regards,

Luke

Luke,

I will need to check, but I think they may be able to do this by just setting up the EtherCAT pins correctly, then not running any EtherCAT software. I think this may be handled by software.

Best Regards,

Ben Collier