This chapter describes all necessary steps for creating an application for the EtherCAT library.
Files created by the Industrial Communication Creator
The Industrial Communication Creator (ICC) must be used to specify the options for the library and to define the layout of the object dictionary.
Please refer to the manual of the ICC for details.
The following source files are created:
File | Description |
|---|---|
ecat_conf.h | contains all configuration macros |
ec_od.c | contains the object dictionary tables |
ec_objects.{c|h} | contains all application variables of the object dictionary |
Table: Source code files generated by the ICC
These files are considered to be part of the application. Other files generated by the ICC are ignored for this chapter.
The object dictionary either has managed variables or application variables.
Managed variables are only accessible via the OD API of the library.
Application variables are declared in ec_objects.{c|h} and can be used directly.
Application modules
The examples delivered with the EtherCAT library provide a good starting point for developing your own application.
IMPORTANT: Always include ecat_conf.h first before including any other EtherCAT header files.
By including ec_header.h you have access to all public functions and defines. Additionally you can include ec_objects.h if you want to use the application variables of the object dictionary.
The file main.c demonstrates how to initialize and use the EtherCAT library. Since you probably have your own "main.c" you will have to merge the setup and main loop into your own files.
Other files contained in the example directory demonstrate how to implement the indication functions and how to use other API functions.
File | Demonstration |
|---|---|
usr_coe.c
| SDO indication |
Process Data Indication | |
Data Link Layer event indication | |
DC indication | |
ESM indications | |
PDO bypass functions | |
User timer event | |
Emergency message generation | |
usr_dynod.c | creating dynamic objects |
usr_eeprom.c | implementing virtual EEPROM for EEPROM emulation (if applicable) |
usr_eoe.c | receiving, processing, transmitting Ethernet frames (Ping server) |
usr_foe.c | reading and writing (virtual) files |
virtual_objects.c | implementing virtual objects |
Table: files of sample application