EC-EAP: EtherCAT Automation Protocol Stack

The EtherCAT Automation Protocol (EAP) defines interfaces and services for an equal exchange of information between controllers (master/master communication) or for interfacing with a central master computer. The cyclic EAP communication can be handled directly in the user data of an Ethernet telegram, without the need for an additional transport or backup protocol. The EAP therefore enables very efficient data exchange without significant protocol overhead, with cycle times down to one millisecond or even faster.

Use-cases:

• Master to master communication, e. g. between a Linux system and a Beckhoff TwinCAT® PLC
• Controller to HMI communication
• Configuration tool interface
• General protocol for data exchange between devices

General functions:

• Support for EtherCAT Device Configuration (EDC) file
• EAP State Machine
• EAP Object Dictionary according to sub-profile 1000
• Register callbacks to notify new variable values
• Performance measurement API

Process Data Communication (Type 4):

• Process Data Frame Types via Ethernet UDP/IP
• Operation Modes: Pushed Data Exchange, Polled Data Exchange

Operating systems:

• Windows 32 und 64 Bit
• Linux 32 und 64 Bit
• On Time RTOS-32
• and more