EtherCAT® Network Configuration, Diagnosis, and Monitoring
EC-Engineer is a powerful software tool used for configuration, diagnosis, monitoring and troubleshooting of EtherCAT® networks. Using this single tool one can handle all required engineering and diagnosis tasks in a quick and comfortable way. The modern, clear and very intuitive user interface, which is also rarely using popup dialogs, is crucial for a smooth experience in configuring, diagnosing, and monitoring of EtherCAT® systems.
Configuration
EC-Engineer supports the complete configuration of all types of EtherCAT SubDevices—with the exception of FSoE MainInstance SubDevices. This is based on the ESI (EtherCAT Network Information) files provided by device manufacturers, which describe the SubDevice features. The available device functions can be easily selected and configured. The most important aspect is defining the cyclic process data (PDO), but also setting parameters to be transferred during startup and much more. Furthermore, with EC-Engineer the cabling between devices is defined. Optional device groups (Hot Connect Groups) can also be created. The result of the configuration is then saved in the ENI (EtherCAT Network Information) file, which is required by the MainDevice software.
When using EC-Engineer the EtherCAT configuration can be done "offline" in the lab/office or "online" when connected with the real EtherCAT network on the machine. It doesn't matter whether the EtherCAT SubDevices are connected with the local Windows PC where EC-Engineer is running, or with the MainDevice controller where the control application's EC-Master stack is running. In either case the SubDevices and the network topology can easily be determined using the "Network Scan" feature.
Diagnosis
EC-Engineer is a sophisticated tool for diagnosis and monitoring as well. Using a TCP/IP connection to the EC-Master MainDevice the complete EtherCAT network can be viewed and analyzed. Display of the system status and the process data content as well as more complex functions like reading the object dictionary or downloading new SubDevice firmware are available then. To perform a diagnosis of an EC-Master MainDevice, only the IP address of the MainDevice is required. All required information, including the content of the ENI file, is then supplied by the EC-Master to EC-Engineer.
Troubleshooting
EtherCAT networks provide extensive built-in diagnostics, and the acontis EC-Engineer is designed to make these accessible even without deep EtherCAT expertise. Errors in an EtherCAT network fall into three categories, each requiring different diagnostic approaches.
Category 1 covers permanent errors during network startup that prevent the network from reaching the Operational state. These include topology mismatches between the real network and the ENI configuration, SubDevice initialization failures, Distributed Clock synchronization problems, and complete frame loss despite correct cabling. The EC-Engineer's graphical topology view allows engineers to immediately compare the discovered network against the planned configuration, making it straightforward to identify missing or mismatched SubDevices.
Category 2 covers permanent errors while the network is Operational — cable disconnections at the MainDevice or between SubDevices, power loss, SubDevices dropping to a lower state, total SubDevice failure, or an unexpected device appearing on the network. Localizing the exact problem location within a potentially large network of hundreds of SubDevices is crucial for efficient troubleshooting. The EC-Engineer's topology view highlights exactly where in the chain communication is lost, allowing targeted intervention rather than time-consuming trial-and-error cable swapping.
Category 3 covers intermittent errors while the network stays Operational but with degraded quality — occasional frame loss and Working Counter Errors (WKC) in cyclic process data. These are the hardest to catch because they may appear only under specific conditions such as vibration, temperature changes, or electromagnetic interference. The EC-Engineer's "Self Test Scan" function sends large numbers of frames of varying lengths over a defined period, counts missing frames, and reads SubDevice error registers to identify vulnerabilities. By combining frame loss statistics with per-SubDevice error counter readouts, the EC-Engineer pinpoints marginal connections before they escalate into permanent failures.
Simulation
EC-Engineer can switch to diagnostic mode using the integrated EC-Master and EC-Simulator products without any actual EtherCAT SubDevices being connected. This allows you to test and demonstrate all of EC-Engineer’s online functions. In addition, special EC-Simulator functions can be used to easily reproduce various error scenarios, such as the disappearance of a SubDevice due to a power supply issue.
The EtherCAT Simulation functionality is available as an additional operating mode - and can be activated with only one single click in the toolbar. This enables fast and convenient switching between the all supported operation modes – Configuration, Diagnostics and Simulation – without the need of modifying anything within the project.
The seamless integration of EC-Engineer and EC-Simulator makes these helpful tools even more valuable for the complete development cycle, including System Engineering Design, Planning, Quality Assurance, Commissioning and Maintenance – offering extensive functions within each single development phase.
EC-Engineer Software Development Kit (SDK)
Using the available SDK all (or just a subset) of the EC-Engineer features can be integrated into another engineering application. Brand labeling and other customer specific enhancements can be achieved as well. All EC-Engineer core software components and modules are available for Windows and Linux. The user interface layers are based on the Microsoft® WPF Technology.
Features
General Features
- Configuration of multiple MainDevice systems within one project
- EtherCAT SubDevices connected to the Windows PC
- EtherCAT SubDevices connected to the control system
- Tree View and Topology View
- ESI and EMI Manager
- Multiple Languages
- Modern User Interface based on Microsoft WPF technology
Configuration Features
- Import ESI (EtherCAT SubDevice Information) files according to ETG.2000
- Export ENI-(EtherCAT Network Information) files according to ETG.2100
- Automatic determination of the connected SubDevices (bus scan)
- SubDevice device copy and paste including all parameters
- PDO selection and configuration
- Adjustment and appending of EtherCAT SubDevice init commands
- Transparent integration of MDP (Modular Device Profile) SubDevices
- Fixed memory layout of SubDevices or
- Distributed Clocks (DC) Settings
- Definition of "Hot Connect" groups
- Programming Station Alias Address
- Other MainDevice and SubDevices parameters
Diagnosis and Monitoring Features
- EC-Master and SubDevice State (display and control)
- Process (I/O) data (display and control)
- ESC Register (read and write)
- EEPROM (read and write)
- EC-Master And SubDevice Object Dictionaries
- Mailbox transfers (Service Data Objects upload and download)
- Firmware upload and download
- Comparison of configuration and real network
A complete feature overview of all versions can be found here.
New Features
More information about EC-Engineer
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