'Settings' Editor (EtherCAT Slave Device)

The following information refers to a specific, typical device type. Your screen may differ.

This help topic describes the 'Settings' editor of an EtherCAT slave device in the PLANT. EtherCAT slave devices are child elements of the 'EtherCAT' node (which represents the EtherCAT Master). The editor is used to configure the EtherCAT slave device which is currently selected in the PLANT.

Further Info
Detailed information on the EtherCAT slave configuration as well as step-by-step procedures can be found in the help chapter "EtherCAT-specific Properties".

On the left side on the 'Settings' page, several editor categories can be selected. These are described below in detail.

This topic contains the following sections:

'All'

After selecting the 'All' category, the settings that are available in each category are visible on one page.

'Identity'

Parameter Description

Product Name, Model Code, Version etc. Identification data of the I/O module. The data is read from description file (ESI file) of the device.

Function Function description of the device. The parameter is still available after a firmware update.
The 'Function' text is shown in the device node name (preceding the type) in the PLANT.
Max. string length: 32 characters

Location Installation location of the device. The parameter still available after a firmware update.
If no 'Function' is specified, the 'Location' text is visible in the tree.
Max. string length: 32 characters

Parameter	Description
Product Name, Model Code, Version etc.	Identification data of the I/O module. The data is read from description file (ESI file) of the device.
Function	Function description of the device. The parameter is still available after a firmware update. The 'Function' text is shown in the device node name (preceding the type) in the PLANT. Max. string length: 32 characters
Location	Installation location of the device. The parameter still available after a firmware update. If no 'Function' is specified, the 'Location' text is visible in the tree. Max. string length: 32 characters

'Device'

Parameter Description

Station Address Station address of the device with which the slave is identified by the EtherCAT Master.
Once the station address has been defined in this field and is then available on the network, it is assigned to the slave. If there is a mismatch detected and shown in the Mismatch Analyzer (EtherCAT Master Online Functions), it may happen that the specified station address cannot be assigned to the mismatched subdevice and the newly detected device is assigned a new address outside the range.

Maximum number of connectable Axioline modules
(only visible for EtherCAT Axioline bus couplers) This parameter is only available in case of an EtherCAT slave that allows the connection of further modules (such as a bus coupler).
Indicates how many EtherCAT modules can be connected to the EtherCAT slave device. (These are I/O modules in case of a bus coupler). This number depends on the device and is specified in its device description (ESI file).

Parameter	Description
Station Address	Station address of the device with which the slave is identified by the EtherCAT Master. Once the station address has been defined in this field and is then available on the network, it is assigned to the slave. If there is a mismatch detected and shown in the Mismatch Analyzer (EtherCAT Master Online Functions), it may happen that the specified station address cannot be assigned to the mismatched subdevice and the newly detected device is assigned a new address outside the range.
Maximum number of connectable Axioline modules (only visible for EtherCAT Axioline bus couplers)	This parameter is only available in case of an EtherCAT slave that allows the connection of further modules (such as a bus coupler). Indicates how many EtherCAT modules can be connected to the EtherCAT slave device. (These are I/O modules in case of a bus coupler). This number depends on the device and is specified in its device description (ESI file).

'Hot Connect'

Parameter Description

Create HC Group for Slaves Enter the ID of the HotConnect group to which the slave device shall belong.
This number corresponds to the value of the Identification value of the first device of this HotConnect group.
The HotConnect (HC) functionality allows to disconnect EtherCAT modules from the network during operation in terms of communication (for example, by switching off or disconnecting the Ethernet line) or to insert them into the data traffic (for example, by switching on or plugging in the Ethernet line).

Position in topology Indicates the position at the EtherCAT field bus. It is derived from the order of the slave devices in the PLANT.
Two values are possible here:

Fixed to device_name. The position of the device in the topology is fixed. The physical slave must be connected to the slave with the specified device_name. If the device is not present at the specified position, EC_Topology_OK is set to FALSE and the EtherCAT network is interrupted. device_name stands for the device in the EtherCAT configuration.

Floating Hot Connect Group. This value can only be shown, if HC is activated: The slave device may be located in a different position in the network or even missing. EC_TOPOLOGY_OK remains TRUE in any case.

Parameter	Description
Create HC Group for Slaves	Enter the ID of the HotConnect group to which the slave device shall belong. This number corresponds to the value of the Identification value of the first device of this HotConnect group. The HotConnect (HC) functionality allows to disconnect EtherCAT modules from the network during operation in terms of communication (for example, by switching off or disconnecting the Ethernet line) or to insert them into the data traffic (for example, by switching on or plugging in the Ethernet line).
Position in topology	Indicates the position at the EtherCAT field bus. It is derived from the order of the slave devices in the PLANT. Two values are possible here: Fixed to device_name. The position of the device in the topology is fixed. The physical slave must be connected to the slave with the specified device_name. If the device is not present at the specified position, EC_Topology_OK is set to FALSE and the EtherCAT network is interrupted. device_name stands for the device in the EtherCAT configuration. Floating Hot Connect Group. This value can only be shown, if HC is activated: The slave device may be located in a different position in the network or even missing. EC_TOPOLOGY_OK remains TRUE in any case.

Further Info
Detailed information can be found in the topic "Identification and HotConnect of Slaves".