EtherCAT Slave Implementation Guide

2.4 Tools for EtherCAT Slave Development
2 - EtherCAT Slave Implementation
Table 8 lists tools that may be useful for EtherCAT device development. Some tools are described in
more detail with their application purpose in the following subsections.
Note the Conformance Test Tool is mandatory for slave device vendors.
Network Configuration
Development
Diagnosis
Table 8: Tools
Tool Description and Access
EtherCAT Configurator Configurator for loading XML device descriptions (ESI) and for
generating XML network configuration descriptions (ENI).
Several EtherCAT Masters already include an EtherCAT Configuration
Tool.
• Visit the product section of the ETG website for the variety of
configuration tools.
• For example, a 30-day trial software is provided by Beckhoff
Automation GmbH (ET9000). For development purposes, an
EtherCAT Configuration Tool with master (TwinCAT System
Manager) is delivered with the Beckhoff Evaluation Board.
XML Editor Used to edit or view EtherCAT Slave Information (ESI) files.
Any browser or text editor can be used, for example:
• Altova XML Spy (extensive xml editor, license fee required)
• Peter’s XML editor (freeware)
• XML Notepad (freeware)
Hex File Editor Used to convert bitmap images (vendor or device logos) to a hex
value which is needed in the ESI. Any hex editor is fine, here are two
examples:
• HxD (freeware)
• Mirkes TinyHexer (freeware)
Network Monitor Wireshark (former Ethereal) can be used to monitor frame
communication of EtherCAT networks. Wireshark is freeware and has
already included a parser for comfortable EtherCAT frame analysis.
• Available for Linux and Windows
EtherCAT Conformance
Test Tool (CTT)
The Conformance Test Tool is used to check EtherCAT protocol
compliance in-house.
• The test tool is provided by Beckhoff Automation GmbH.
• Please contact ctt@beckhoff.com
Further Tools Also consult the product section of the ETG website for a continuative
list of tools.
ETG.2200 EtherCAT Slave Implementation Guide V2.0.0 I-32