Beckhoff CX8110, Manual, Page: 58 / 73

Ethernet X001 Interface
CX8110 58 Version: 1.4
8.2 Topology example
Line, tree or star: EtherCAT supports almost any topology. The bus or line structure known from the
fieldbuses thus also becomes available for Ethernet.
Fig. 15: Topology example, CX8110 connected with other CX8110 via EtherCAT.
8.3 ADS-Communication
The ADS protocol (ADS: Automation Device Specification) is a transport layer within the TwinCAT system. It
was developed for data exchange between the different software modules, for instance the communication
between the NC and the PLC. This protocol enables communication with other tools from any point within
the TwinCAT. If it is necessary to communicate with another PC or device, the ADS protocol is used on top
of TCP/IP. Within a networked system it is thus possible to reach all data from any point.
Fig. 16: The ADS protocol as a transport layer within TwinCAT.
The ADS protocol runs on top of the TCP/IP or UDP/IP protocols. It allows the user within the Beckhoff
system to use almost any connecting route to communicate with all the connected devices and to
parameterize them. Outside the Beckhoff system a variety of methods are available to exchange data with
other software tools.
Software interfaces