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Software Diagnostics for Master/Slaves (EtherCAT)

Software errors include incorrect or unsuitable (unexpected) parameter values for the application, which were transferred from the master to the slaves during the start-up phase. These include, for example, incorrectly configured process data, invalid cycle times, etc.
In addition, a slave that was working correctly in the Op state could report an error during operation, for example due to the expiry of a watchdog timer or errors during synchronization.

In the 'Online Functions', several editor tabs are available, which can be used for diagnostic purposes.
For the following descriptions, it is assumed that either the master or the slave to be evaluated is selected in the tree on the left. The content of the editor tabs in the editor area always relate to the device selected in the tree.

This topic contains the following sections:

Network information provided by the master

Open the 'General' editor tab of the master 'Online Functions'. In the section 'Information', the editor provides information on the scanned network. Here, you can obtain information on the number of found and configured (and DC-capable) slaves, whether the topology is valid, the EtherCAT link is connected and slaves are in master state.

Further Info
Refer to the editor description "'General' tab (EtherCAT Master/Slave Online Functions)" for more information on the displayed information.

State diagnostic and state switching

The evaluation of the current master/slave state can be displayed and changed in the 'Online Functions', editor tab General'. This tab is available for the master and each detected slave.

In the 'State Machine' section, the current device state is displayed. Using the 'Change State' buttons you can force state transitions.

Further Info
Refer to the editor description "'General' tab (EtherCAT Master/Slave Online Functions)" for more information on the displayed information and transition buttons.
Also consider the topic "EtherCAT State Machine".

Reading/writing objects in the Object Dictionary

The 'CoE Data' editor tab of the 'Online Functions' implements and provides access to the Object Dictionary. Note that values can only be modified if write access is allowed (indicated by the flags shown for each object).

By reading online values from the device, you can evaluate the operation conditions and function of the slave in question.

By changing values to which write access is allowed, the editor tab provides direct access to the respective device (online access). Consequently, object values can also be changed here in any state of the device, even during running operation (Op state), thereby influencing the function of the respective device.

Further Info
Further information can be found in the detailed editor description "'CoE Data' tab (EtherCAT Master/Slave Online Functions)".

History log evaluation

The 'History' editor tab of the master provides a tabular view on the logged diagnostic information loaded from the EtherCAT master. The editor provides the possibility to customize the grid view, for example, by hiding particular log message types or filtering the messages.

Further Info
Refer to the topic "'History' tab (EtherCAT Master Online Functions)" for a detailed description of the editor.

Reading/writing parameter values in the EEPROM and ESC Registers

The non-volatile EEPROM memory stores the EtherCAT Slave Information (ESI). The 'EEPROM' tab displays the parameter values currently stored in the EEPROM and it provides the possibility to modify the values.

ESC registers are memory addresses in the EtherCAT Slave Controller (ESC). The can be read and written by the EtherCAT master.

By reading values and registers from the device, you can evaluate the operation conditions and function of the slave in question.

By changing values to which write access is allowed, the editor tab provides direct access to the respective device (online access). Consequently, object values can also be changed here in any state of the device, even during running operation (Op state), thereby influencing the function of the respective device.

Further Info
Further information can be found in the detailed editor descriptions "'EEPROM' tab (EtherCAT Slave Online Functions)" and "'ESC Registers' tab (EtherCAT Slave Online Functions)".

DC Diagnostics

For each EtherCAT slave station (selected in the tree on the left) which supports DC functionality, the editor tab 'DC Diagnostics' is available. It displays diagnostic data relating to Distributed Clock settings of the slave and therefore about the entire Distributed Clock system.

The information on this tab is only available/relevant if the slave clock is synchronized with the defined reference clock provider. To enable the DC clock function of the slave, double-click the slave node in the PLANT and open the 'Distributed clock' editor. In the drop-down list, activate the slave clock synchronization.

Further Info
Refer to the detailed editor description in the topic "'DC Diagnostics' tab (EtherCAT Slave Online Functions)".