Beckhoff EtherCAT EK112 Series Manual page 95

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Above all, each EtherCAT slave carries its device description (ESI) electronically readable in a local
memory chip, the so-called ESI EEPROM. When the slave is switched on, this description is loaded
locally in the slave and informs it of its communication configuration; on the other hand, the EtherCAT
master can identify the slave in this way and, among other things, set up the EtherCAT communication
accordingly.
Application-specific writing of the ESI-EEPROM
The ESI is developed by the device manufacturer according to ETG standard and released for the
corresponding product.
- Meaning for the ESI file: Modification on the application side (i.e. by the user) is not permitted.
- Meaning for the ESI EEPROM: Even if a writeability is technically given, the ESI parts in the EEPROM
and possibly still existing free memory areas must not be changed beyond the normal update process.
Especially for cyclic memory processes (operating hours counter etc.), dedicated memory products such as
EL6080 or IPC's own NOVRAM must be used.
• Depending on functionality and performance EtherCAT slaves have one or several local controllers for
processing I/O data. The corresponding program is the so-called firmware in *.efw format.
• In some EtherCAT slaves the EtherCAT communication may also be integrated in these controllers. In
this case the controller is usually a so-called FPGA chip with *.rbf firmware.
Customers can access the data via the EtherCAT fieldbus and its communication mechanisms. Acyclic
mailbox communication or register access to the ESC is used for updating or reading of these data.
The TwinCAT System Manager offers mechanisms for programming all three parts with new data, if the
slave is set up for this purpose. Generally the slave does not check whether the new data are suitable, i.e. it
may no longer be able to operate if the data are unsuitable.
Simplified update by bundle firmware
The update using so-called bundle firmware is more convenient: in this case the controller firmware and the
ESI description are combined in a *.efw file; during the update both the firmware and the ESI are changed in
the terminal. For this to happen it is necessary
• for the firmware to be in a packed format: recognizable by the file name, which also contains the
revision number, e.g. ELxxxx-xxxx_REV0016_SW01.efw
• for password=1 to be entered in the download dialog. If password=0 (default setting) only the firmware
update is carried out, without an ESI update.
• for the device to support this function. The function usually cannot be retrofitted; it is a component of
many new developments from year of manufacture 2016.
Following the update, its success should be verified
• ESI/Revision: e.g. by means of an online scan in TwinCAT ConfigMode/FreeRun – this is a convenient
way to determine the revision
• Firmware: e.g. by looking in the online CoE of the device
Risk of damage to the device!
ü Note the following when downloading new device files
a) Firmware downloads to an EtherCAT device must not be interrupted
b) Flawless EtherCAT communication must be ensured. CRC errors or LostFrames must be avoided.
c) The power supply must adequately dimensioned. The signal level must meet the specification.
ð In the event of malfunctions during the update process the EtherCAT device may become unusable and
require re-commissioning by the manufacturer.
EK112x, EK15xx
NOTICE
NOTICE
Version: 3.6
Appendix
95

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