EtherCAT, Ethernet for Xilinx FPGAs

Xilinx, Inc. announced the implementation of a scalable EtherCAT slave controller functionality in an intellectual property (IP) core for its Spartan™ series of FPGAs. The code was developed and is supported by Beckhoff Automation GmbH. The implementation of the EtherCAT slave controller in Xilinx FPGAs allows device vendors to scale EtherCAT functionality according to requirements and add their own functionality in the same chip, thus driving down hardware costs.

EtherCAT (Ethernet Control Automation Technology) is the industrial Ethernet solution that provides performance, flexibility and cost advantages. The functional principle, processing on the fly, makes EtherCAT the fastest system currently available. EtherCAT media is well suited for control environments since it can be operated with or without switches. EtherCAT is an open standard that has been published as IEC specification based on input from the EtherCAT Technology Group.

Martin Rostan, executive director of the EtherCAT Technology Group:

Companies committed to leading technology in their industry recognize the benefit of high speed, inexpensive Ethernet based control communication..

…The new slave controller solution from Xilinx is an important contribution to our objective of meeting fieldbus cost levels whilst breaking performance and topology barriers.

About EtherCAT Technology Group
EtherCAT Technology Group is an international user and vendor organisation in which key user companies from various industries and leading automation suppliers join forces to support, promote and advance the EtherCAT technology.

About Xilinx Spartan-3 Generation
Based on its industry leading performance and low price points, Xilinx Spartan Generation FPGAs have been broadly adopted in high-volume, consumer and industrial applications. Visit www.xilinx.com/spartan3 for more information on the Spartan-3 Generation.