Distributed clocks and XFC for speed and precision
Some analog EtherCAT Terminals support the XFC technology (eXtreme Fast Control), which enables rapid, deterministic reactions in the µs range. This technology enables fast I/O response times, oversampling of the input signal and precise time measurement for events at the input with a resolution of 1 ns. Highly accurate synchronization of all distributed clocks-capable devices in the network is attainable with a synchronization accuracy of << 1 µs with the EtherCAT distributed clocks, which are implemented in many EtherCAT analog terminals.

Calibration to control the measurement chain
Calibration certificates (factory calibration or calibration to ISO 17025/DAkkS) are also available for some EtherCAT analog input terminals. If Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminals are part of a measurement chain and therefore subject to special requirements for the reproducibility and traceability of measurement results, a calibration certificate can be issued to the user for certain terminal types for quality assurance purposes. The certificate is issued for individual terminals, enabling a more precise definition of the entire measurement chain as proof of the exact measurement deviation of the terminal and thus reducing the measurement uncertainty. In the context of the uncertainty assessment of a measurement, the possible influence of the Beckhoff terminal can be reduced in this way.

Advantages:

• robust measurement of analog signals with long-term availability
• fine scalability of channel density and functional scope
• extensive adjustment and diagnostic options in the terminals via the EtherCAT bus
• distributed clocks for the precise acquisition of the timestamp of an input signal and synchronization of the network
• optionally calibrated terminals for precise acquisition of the measurement uncertainty

Areas of application:

• production machines
• test systems
• condition monitoring
• energy generation systems