1-4
Overview of Communications
This section provides an overview of the communications functions of the built-in EtherCAT port.
1-4-1
Process Data Communications and SDO Communications
The built-in EtherCAT port performs the following communications method to exchange information
with EtherCAT slaves.
• Process data communications
• SDO communications
Process Data Communications
"Process data communications" is a cyclic communications method in which control information is ex-
changed in a fixed cycle between the EtherCAT master and slaves.
The fixed cycle is called a process data communications cycle. The EtherCAT master can exchange
information with EtherCAT slaves in realtime in this process data communications cycle.
The same control period is also used for the process data communications cycle for EtherCAT. This
enables precise sequence and motion control in a fixed period with very little deviation.
Refer to
6-1 Process Data Communications (PDO Communications)
on page 6-2 for details on the
specifications of process data communications.
SDO communications
"SDO communications" is a communications method in which control information is exchanged in non-
cyclic event communications between the EtherCAT master and slaves.
You can use EtherCAT communications instructions to read and write the SDO data in EtherCAT
slaves.
Refer to
on page 6-19 for details on the specifications of SDO communi-
cations.
1-4-2
Other Functions
In addition to process data communications and SDO communications, the built-in EtherCAT port also
provides functions related to EtherCAT network configurations and setup, as well as communications
control and maintenance during operation or at error occurrence.
Among these functions, some cannot be used depending on the unit version of the CPU Unit, project
unit version, the Sysmac Studio version, or their combination. Refer to
page A-35 for versions that can be used.
1 Introduction
1-12
NJ/NX-series CPU Unit Built-in EtherCAT Port User's Manual (W505)
Summary of Contents for NJ101-10 Series
Page 10: ...Manual Structure 8 NJ NX series CPU Unit Built in EtherCAT Port User s Manual W505...
Page 80: ...3 EtherCAT Communications 3 12 NJ NX series CPU Unit Built in EtherCAT Port User s Manual W505...
Page 236: ...9 Troubleshooting 9 38 NJ NX series CPU Unit Built in EtherCAT Port User s Manual W505...
Page 274: ...Appendices A 38 NJ NX series CPU Unit Built in EtherCAT Port User s Manual W505...
Page 275: ...I Index I 1 NJ NX series CPU Unit Built in EtherCAT Port User s Manual W505 I...
Page 279: ......