The coupler enables a PROFINET controller to exchange data with one or more EtherCAT, PROFINET, PROFIBUS and, in the future, EtherNet/IP systems. This means that it can be used as a flexible gateway for real-time communication between these networks, with the advantages of the EtherCAT network as an extremely high performance, lower-level I/O system via the directly-connected EtherCAT Terminals. The unit converts the messages from PROFINET IO to the EtherCAT "E-Bus" signal type. One I/O station consists of an EK9300 Bus Coupler and any number of EtherCAT Terminals. The coupler supports the PROFINET RT protocol and, therefore, fits seamlessly into PROFINET IO networks. Via new firmware and corresponding EtherCAT Terminals, the bus coupler can be used as a flexible gateway between different network and controller types: from PROFINET to EtherCAT (with EL6692-0000), from PROFINET to PROFINET (with EL6631-0010), from PROFINET to PROFIBUS (with EL6731-0010) and from PROFINET to EtherNet/IP (with EL6652-0010 - in development). In this way, various production systems can be networked by real-time communication without great effort or expense. For example, product-relevant management information can be collected in distributed units with different control systems or data can be exchanged in real-time between two PROFINET networks that are deliberately placed in different IP spaces.
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