Date: 05/04/2011

Texas Instruments licenses EtherCAT for embedded ARM core based chips

Texas Instruments has announces it has licensed Ethernet for Control Automation Technology (EtherCAT) for its ARM- and DSP+ARM-based embedded processors. TI to feature this new industrial Ethernet technology in its upcoming Sitara ARM microprocessors (MPUs) planned for the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2011 and in TI's C6-Integra DSP+ARM processors beginning in 2012.

Benefits of EtherCAT technology as listed by TI:
Increases efficiency: EtherCAT technology is based on the principle of fast processing on the fly. EtherCAT messages are passed from node to node and processed while they are passed, which improves speed and efficiency in industrial systems. Overall industrial application performance is also improved with shorter reaction times, enabling increased operational efficiency.
Ease of use: EtherCAT uses the standard IEEE 802.3 frames and physical layer. No external switches or hubs are necessary because the EtherCAT slave controllers forward the frames automatically. Most devices embed two RJ-45 ports, which are commonly utilized data ports for Ethernet connections. Auto-configuration of the EtherCAT technology is supported. No manual address setting is required and no network tuning is needed.
Lowers costs: With the use of standard cabling and no external hubs or switches needed, this lowers the EtherCAT technology costs. There are also lower configuration costs with the auto-configuration support.


"The EtherCAT Protocol technology sets new standards for the real-time performance and flexibility that are critical for TI's embedded ARM-based devices geared toward the industrial market. With its popularity today in industrial drive and input/output applications, EtherCAT, a leading industrial communication protocol, is used to allow master and slave controllers to communicate with each other without a host computer in high-noise industrial environments," said Ram Sathappan, industrial automation manager, TI. "The TI approach to EtherCAT with the programmable real-time unit (PRU) on TI's Sitara ARM MPUs and C6-Integra DSP + ARM processors allows for flexible implementation that can more easily adapt as industrial standards evolve over time."

"With TI's integration of an EtherCAT interface in several product lines, this turns EtherCAT into a mainstream technology beyond the automation world," Martin Rostan, executive director, EtherCAT Technology Group. "We are thrilled about this milestone development which will open entirely new markets for EtherCAT and help EtherCAT to establish a strong position in a wide range of embedded applications, further accelerating the adoption of EtherCAT in the industrial market."