{"id":69181,"date":"2026-06-01T07:26:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T07:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dewetron.com\/?p=69181"},"modified":"2026-06-01T13:59:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T13:59:17","slug":"how-to-do-high-speed-measurements-with-ethercat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dewetron.com\/ja\/news\/how-to-do-high-speed-measurements-with-ethercat\/","title":{"rendered":"How to do high-speed measurements with EtherCAT?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cProcessing on the fly\u201d might sound like a buzzword, but in the world of real-time automation, it\u2019s a unique feature of EtherCAT. Thanks to its clever design, EtherCAT handles data with minimal delay \u2013perfect for high-speed, high-precision applications. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what EtherCAT is, how it works, and where it\u2019s used.<\/p>\n

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What is EtherCAT?<\/h3>\n

EtherCAT<\/a> stands for Ethernet for Control Automation Technology<\/strong> and is an Ethernet-based fieldbus system specifically developed for high-performance, real-time communication in automation and control systems. As its name suggests, EtherCAT is an optimized industrial Ethernet protocol tailored to meet the strict timing and synchronization requirements of modern industrial applications.<\/p>\n

EtherCAT was developed by Beckhoff Automation<\/a> and first introduced in 2003, with official standardization following in 2007. The protocol is standardized under IEC 61158 \u2013 Industrial communication networks \u2013 Fieldbus specifications<\/a>, and further defined in IEC 61784 \u2013 Industrial networks \u2013 Profiles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unlike traditional Ethernet protocols, which typically suffer from latency and communication jitter, EtherCAT was designed from the ground up for real-time performance. Its unique working principle minimizes delays and reduces communication jitter, making it particularly suitable for time-critical industrial communication.<\/p>\n

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How does EtherCAT work?<\/h3>\n

Traditional Ethernet communication follows a stop-and-store<\/strong> approach. Each device within the network receives the complete data packet, processes it to check whether the data is intended for it, and then either responds or forwards the packet. This sequential handling introduces latency at every device in the chain.<\/p>\n

In contrast, EtherCAT uses a processing-on-the-fly approach. Instead of stopping at each node, a single EtherCAT frame travels through all devices in sequence. As the frame passes by, each device reads its relevant data and inserts new information directly into the frame\u2014without causing any delay. This process minimizes latency as the frame continues moving through the network without stopping.<\/p>\n

Despite this fundamental difference in data communication, EtherCAT uses standard Ethernet cables, allowing for an easy implementation in existing infrastructures.<\/p>\n

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Fig. 1: Illustration of EtherCAT\u2019s frame processing (Source: Wikipedia\/Timmy Broling<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

Simply put: <\/strong>Ethernet is like a delivery truck stopping at each house to deliver or collect a package. EtherCAT is like a conveyor belt moving through all houses\u00a0 \u2013 each person takes or adds their package without stopping the belt.<\/p>\n

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What are the benefits of EtherCAT?<\/h3>\n

EtherCAT offers a number of powerful advantages that make it ideal for modern industrial automation and measurement applications. Its architecture is not only fast and reliable but also highly scalable and cost-effective.<\/p>\n

High Performance<\/h5>\n

EtherCAT provides high speed and timing accuracy, making it perfectly suitable for demanding real-time applications:<\/p>\n