The EK1000 EtherCAT Coupler communication via a switched Ethernet network. The EK1000 EtherCAT Coupler additionally enables EtherCAT communication in standard Ethernet networks. EtherCAT features such as distributed clocks and XFC can additionally. In this way, the EK1000 efficaciously links EtherCAT and TSN networks and cumulates their benefits. The EtherCAT provides a genuine-time capable single-contrivance level & ideally suited to coalesce the numerous diminutive data packets of digital and analog inputs which only relates to the switch layer in switched Ethernet networks.

As a genuine-time extension of the general Ethernet technology, it controls the procedures and priorities for the convey of Ethernet telegrams through a TSN-capable, switched network. The EtherCAT Coupler has two RJ45 ports. The second port enables EtherCAT network extensions, e.g. via the EK1100 EtherCAT Coupler. The EK1000 elongates the TwinCAT automation software with a TSN-capable version of EtherCAT communication. In this way, TSN networks can withal be managed seamlessly, and EtherCAT contrivances located in different terminal strands can be addressed via the TSN network.