Advantech's EtherCAT technology combines real-time communication with hardware and software solutions, enabling seamless integration between IT and operational systems

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Real-Time
Precision

EtherCAT's distributed clock technology ensures precise timing and coordination across your entire production line. With ultra-low latency and high-speed data transfer, you can achieve unmatched control and accuracy in operating machines, sensors, actuators, and controllers.

Easy
Development

Advantech's SoftMotion Kernel is a versatile software solution compatible with our range of industrial computers, embedded systems, and programmable automation controllers (PAC). Its user-friendly tools streamline development, allowing you to build efficient and high-quality manufacturing processes faster. Enjoy easy setup and flexible deployment options.

Flexible
Topology

Our expandable I/O system seamlessly integrates into your existing setup. Easily add devices or machines to your system using daisy chain, star, or ring configurations. This flexibility ensures your manufacturing operations can grow without disruption.

Our SolutionsOur Solutions

Embedded Controllers

• Intel Atom^® EtherCAT Embedded Controllers
• Intel^® Core™/Celeron^® EtherCAT Embedded Controllers
Embedded Motion Controllers

• Intel Atom^® X Series x6413E^® EtherCAT Embedded Motion Controller with API
EtherCAT I/O Modules

• Slice I/O Modules
• Block I/O Modules

Embedded Controllers

• Intel Atom^® EtherCAT Embedded Controllers
• Intel^® Core™/Celeron^® EtherCAT Embedded Controllers

Embedded Motion Controllers

• Intel Atom^® X Series x6413E^® EtherCAT Embedded Motion Controller with API

EtherCAT I/O Modules

• Slice I/O Modules
• Block I/O Modules

Embedded ControllersEmbedded Controllers

Real-Time Control Optimization

BIOS optimization for stable processor clock
Real-time core integration for Windows/Linux operating systems
Robust and compact design meeting industrial-grade environmental requirements

Embedded Operating System for Industrial Control

Flexible hot-swap power for automation equipment system design
Faster boot times compared to standard operating systems
Long-term support to meet industrial-grade application requirements

Wireless Communication Expansion Capability

Host compatible with LTE/Wi-Fi modules, offering installation flexibility
Support for up to 4 antennas to meet 5G communication needs

AMAX-5000 EtherCAT I/O Expandability

Digital input/output modules
Analog input/output modules
Encoder/counter modules
Communication modules

PCIe Module Expandability

PCIe expansion modules compatible with industrial aluminum rail mounting
AMAX-5400 series expansion I/O modules
iDAQ-964 series high-speed I/O data acquisition modules

Designed Specifically for Real-Time Control Software Developers

The AMAX-5580/5570 is designed specifically for industrial real-time control software developers, with hardware and software integration expertise from globally renowned brands like CODESYS, Acontis, and Movensys.

Intel Atom^® EtherCAT Embedded Controllers

AMAX-5570 Series

• Intel Atom^® x6413E processor
• Economical Choice
• Ideal for Machine Builder and AGV/AMR Applications
Intel^® Core™/Celeron^® EtherCAT Embedded Controllers

AMAX-5580 Series

• Intel^® Core™ (6th Gen) processors/Intel^® Celeron^® processor
• High Flexibility and Rich I/O
• Ideal for Smart Factory Applications

IEC 61131-3 Programming
- CODESYS software includes both native and customized function blocks for industry use.
- Advantech's CODESYS Agent ensures seamless data integration for cloud control.
- Supports ladder logic (LADDER) and graphical programming (UML) for stable control.
IT Connectivity
- Advantech’s CODESYS Agent integrates CODESYS variables with advanced programming languages for cloud control.
- Features OPC UA server integration directly from the CODESYS runtime.
- Supports MQTT, SparkPlug, and WebAccessSCADA formats via the CODESYS Agent.
SoftMotion & CNC Robotics
- Features PLCopen MotionControl function blocks, Electronic Gear/CAM switches, and G-Code processing.
- Offers 2D/3D motion control, and supports multiple robot types including Six-Axis, Gantry, Bipedal, and SCARA.

Embedded Motion ControllersEmbedded Motion Controllers

API Library

MotionNavi API and Utility are user-friendly tools designed to streamline motion system development. The MotionNavi API library supports general programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, and Python, and is compatible with C/C++ and Visual Studio .NET. With over 300 APIs, MotionNavi API simplifies the establishment of EtherCAT networks, monitoring, PDO/SDO access, and comprehensive motion control functionalities.

Available for Windows and Linux users.

Convenient EtherCAT diagnostic tool.

Visualized display for EtherCAT topology and ESI/ENI tool for EtherCAT-compatible devices.

Trigger Function
- Single Point Trigger: Triggers at a single position.
- Multi-Point Trigger: Allows for setting multiple triggers at fixed or variable intervals via commands.
- Linear Trigger: Enables triggering at any point in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space via commands.
- Toggle: Allows the DO (Digital Output) to invert with each trigger point. For example, DO is high at the first point, low at the second, high at the third, and low at the fourth.
Path Table Motion
- Provides 3 tables to describe the path, each table containing 10,000 points.
- Supports linear interpolation commands and arc interpolation commands.
- Supports motion list commands for Start/End to begin and stop motion.
- Supports Pause/Resume operation commands.
- Supports automatic trajectory fitting (Auto Blending).Supports Z-axis following motion.
Helical / Spiral Interpolation
- Setting the center of the circle/arc endpoint or the arc passing point/arc endpoint along with the Z-axis movement to complete the helical motion, achieving 2+1 axis helical interpolation functionality.
Tangential Following
- Using Z-axis motion commands, a specific axis can rotate tangentially along its path to achieve tangential following. The Z-axis adjusts to maintain a 90-degree angle with the arc's radius on the X-Y plane. This is used for tool path control in fabric cutting machines.

EtherCAT Embedded Motion Controller with API

AMAX Series

• Intel^® Atom^® quad-core x6413E processor with 4 GB DDR4 memory
• Ultra-compact all-in-one design
• Supports up to 32-axis Servo Drive with 500 μs cycle time
• Compatible with C/C++, VS.Net, and LabVIEW

EtherCAT I/OEtherCAT I/O

Expansion ModulesExpansion Modules

Slice I/O

Compact Design
1.2 cm Width for DIN-Rail Mounting
Real-Time
EtherCAT Communication Backbone
Flexible
Modbus/TCP, Ethernet IP Protocol Conversion

Block I/O

All-in-One Design
EtherCAT Plug & Play
Front-Accessible
Easy Wiring & Diagnosis
3-Way Isolation
I/O, Power, Communication

Slice I/O Modules

AMAX-5000 Series

Fieldbus Coupler
AMAX-5070 / AMAX-5072 / AMAX-5074

Dual-Channel Power Input Module
AMAX-5001

EtherCAT Expansion Module
AMAX-5079

Slice I/O Modules
Digital I/O / Analog I/O / Position Measurement / Infrastructures

Infrastructure Modules
EtherCAT I/O Modules

Digital I/O

Analog I/O

Temperature I/O

Timestamped Digital I/O

Counter, Encoder I/O

Serial Communication I/O

AMAX-5090

1-port Isolated RS-232/422/485 Communication Module

Block I/O Modules

AMAX-4800 Series

EtherCAT FAQEtherCAT FAQ

How does EtherCAT differ from traditional Ethernet?: EtherCAT differs from traditional Ethernet by utilizing a unique communication protocol that enables faster data transmission and real-time performance. Unlike the standard Ethernet, EtherCAT supports distributed clock synchronization, allowing for precise coordination in industrial automation.
What are the advantages of using EtherCAT technology?: • High Performance Achieves outstanding performance on I/O handling with 276 μs cycle time at 44 % Bus Load and 122 μs telegram length.
• Precise Synchronization The distributed clocks in EtherCAT can lead to exact adjustment with less 1 µs in synchronization.
• Flexible Wiring Topology Flexible tree structures – arbitrarily extendable. Supports various topology variants like Line, Star, Tree, Daisy Chain + Drop Lines.
• High Availability Enables cable redundancy with a ring topology that avoids communication failure when a cable is broken or unplugged.
How does EtherCAT ensure real-time communication?: EtherCAT ensures real-time communication through its ring topology and processing on the fly. Data is transmitted in a continuous stream, reducing latency and enabling devices to receive and send information in real-time. This makes EtherCAT suitable for applications requiring high precision and synchronization.
How to implement EtherCAT in industrial applications?: Implementing EtherCAT in industrial applications involves selecting EtherCAT-compatible devices, configuring the network topology, and programming the control system to communicate via EtherCAT. Advantech EtherCAT control products provide user-friendly tools and support for seamless integration into various industrial setups.
Can EtherCAT be used for safety-critical applications?: Yes, EtherCAT can be used for safety-critical applications. Advantech EtherCAT control products adhere to safety standards and provide features such as distributed clock synchronization and real-time communication, ensuring a reliable and secure environment for safety-critical industrial applications.

Our StrategicOur Strategic

PartnersPartners

Compatibility Report

ResourcesResources

Brochure

Refer to the latest EtherCAT Solutions brochure for comprehensive product information.
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Case Study

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Advantech's EtherCAT technology combines real-time communication with hardware and software solutions, enabling seamless integration between IT and operational systems

Real-Time Precision

Easy Development

Flexible Topology

Our SolutionsOur Solutions

Embedded Controllers

Embedded Motion Controllers

EtherCAT I/O Modules

Embedded ControllersEmbedded Controllers

IEC 61131-3 Programming

IT Connectivity

SoftMotion & CNC Robotics

Embedded Motion ControllersEmbedded Motion Controllers

API Library

Trigger Function

Path Table Motion

Helical / Spiral Interpolation

Tangential Following

EtherCAT I/OEtherCAT I/O

Expansion ModulesExpansion Modules

Slice I/O Modules

AMAX-5000 Series

AMAX-5001

AMAX-5079

AMAX-5070

AMAX-5072

AMAX-5074

Digital I/O

AMAX-5051

AMAX-5052

AMAX-5056

AMAX-5056SO

AMAX-5057

AMAX-5057SO

AMAX-5060

Analog I/O

AMAX-5017C

AMAX-5017V

AMAX-5017H

AMAX-5024

Temperature I/O

AMAX-5015

AMAX-5018

Timestamped Digital I/O

AMAX-5051T

AMAX-5056T

Counter, Encoder I/O

AMAX-5080

AMAX-5081

AMAX-5082

Serial Communication I/O

AMAX-5090

Block I/O Modules

AMAX-4800 Series

Digital I/O

AMAX-4830

AMAX-4830SO

AMAX-4833

AMAX-4834

AMAX-4856

Digital Input + Relay Output

AMAX-4862

Analog I/O

AMAX-4817

AMAX-4820

Infrastructure

AMAX-4870

EtherCAT FAQEtherCAT FAQ

Our StrategicOur Strategic

PartnersPartners

ResourcesResources

Brochure

Video

Case Study

Academy

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Real-Time
Precision

Easy
Development

Flexible
Topology