TMDS64GPEVM: Ethercat simulation using CODESYS.

Hi all,

Adding to the previous question, is there any other applications that can be used for simulation purposes (other than CODESYS)?. 

It is due to the lack of availability of hardware devices that we are planning on simulating the network. Please do tell if it is possible. 

Looking forward to hearing from all.

Thank you

Hi all,

Adding to the previous question, I am planning to setup a master to broadcast a data to the am64x ethercat slave. My question is whether the slave should be configured in any way inorder to recieve this broadcast data or will simply excecuting the simple ethercat slave program do the job?.

Looking forward to any suggestions.

Thank you.

Hi

Aaron Renny said:

I saw that there is a simulation option available in CODESYS. I would like to know if we could simulate an ethercat master , slave or even a network comprising to the two using CODESYS . If so, please guide me on how it can be made possible. 

At this point, we have tested Codesys running on RevPi and steps are mentioned here : https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM64X/08_01_00_25/exports/docs/industrial_protocol_docs/am64x/ethercat_slave/plc_codesys.html

In the next MCU+ SDK release, we will also provide steps for running Codesys on an AM64x EVM, which can act as EtherCAT master. 

Aaron Renny said:

Adding to the previous question, is there any other applications that can be used for simulation purposes (other than CODESYS)?. 

Yes, you can use TwinCAT software. For details steps, see https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM64X/08_01_00_25/exports/docs/industrial_protocol_docs/am64x/ethercat_slave/simple_demo_in_twincat3.html

Aaron Renny said:

Adding to the previous question, I am planning to setup a master to broadcast a data to the am64x ethercat slave. My question is whether the slave should be configured in any way inorder to recieve this broadcast data or will simply excecuting the simple ethercat slave program do the job?.

As mentioned in https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM64X/08_01_00_25/exports/docs/industrial_protocol_docs/am64x/ethercat_slave/ethercat_datasheet.html, we support the broadcast commands. So no specific configuration is required on the slave side. You need to send appropriate frames from master

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

Hi Dhaval,

Thank you for the reply.

Please correct me if I am wrong, while using TwinCAT software, the PC running TwinCAT will act as the master and the am64x will act as the slave. So the only hardware required to test out the ethercat functionality are a PC (acting as a master ) and am64x evaluation board (acting as a slave). 

Thank you.

Hi

Aaron Renny said:

Please correct me if I am wrong, while using TwinCAT software, the PC running TwinCAT will act as the master and the am64x will act as the slave. So the only hardware required to test out the ethercat functionality are a PC (acting as a master ) and am64x evaluation board (acting as a slave). 

This is correct.

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

Hi Dhaval ,

Thank you for the reply. Do we require a license to use the TwinCAT software with the am64x evaluation board?. I have downloaded TwinCAT3 using this link:

https://www.beckhoff.com/en-en/support/download-finder/software-and-tools/

In this site that you provided  

https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM64X/08_01_00_25/exports/docs/industrial_protocol_docs/am64x/ethercat_slave/simple_demo_in_twincat3.html

it is said that there is a 7 day trial version available. The installation has been completed but there is no mention of any license. Please help me out on this.

Thank you.

Hi
There is no specific requirement for using TwinCAT with AM64x EVM. For any license related queries, please check the Beckhoff's website and contact them if needed.

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

Hi Dhaval,

Thank you for the reply. I would like to know if we can set the address of an ethercat slave using TwinCAT. If yes, is there any range of values that must be used in order to set an address.

Our goal is to designate a particular address to an ethercat slave and then establish communication from master to this slave.

Thank you.

Hi
Please check this document for more details on addressing concepts used in EtherCAT:  ESC Datasheet Section 1 - Technology.

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

Hi Dhaval,

Thank you for the reply. I was going through the steps of using twincat with the am64xGPEVM. 

 https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM64X/08_01_00_14/exports/docs/industrial_protocol_docs/am64x/ethercat_slave/simple_demo_in_twincat3.html

I am unable to find the TwinCAT RT Ethernet intermediate driver  as shown in the figure in the section:

Setup a network interface controller (NIC) in the TwinCAT Project.

I am using windows 10.

Am I missing something? Do i have to download an external driver file to connect the am64x to TwinCAT master on PC?. 

My window shows like this. Hoping for a clarification on the issue.

Thank you.

Hi

It seems that your Realtek Ethernet NIC is not supported by TwinCAT. If it was supported, you would have seen it listed under "Compatible Devices". And then you need to click on "Install", which would move it to "Installed and ready to use devices(realtime capable)".

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

Hi Dhaval,

Thank you for the reply. Is there any way to overcome this issue.

I just want to test out basic data transfer using ethercat in twincat.

Thank you.

Hi

I do not think that this issue can be overcome.

This page lists the network controllers supported by TwinCAT : https://infosys.beckhoff.com/english.php?content=../content/1033/tc3_overview/9309844363.html&id=

Regards
Dhaval Khandla

Hi Dhaval,

Thank you for the reply. Can you give some alternates for the TwinCAT software that allows PC to act as an ethercat master.

Thank you.

Hi
Some of the options are EtherCAT master solutions from Acontis, Koenig , ESD, IgH etc. There are many other commercial options also.

Regards
Dhaval Khandla