diff -r 9d7453c16ade -r 4bbe090553f7 FEATURES --- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/FEATURES Mon Jun 26 15:04:06 2006 +0000 @@ -0,0 +1,66 @@ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +This is the FEATURES file of the IgH EtherCAT Master. + +$Id$ + +------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +General Features: + +* Runs as kernel module for Linux 2.6. + +* Comes with EtherCAT-capable network driver for RTL8139 and compatible + network interface cards. + - Interrupt-less network driver operation. + - Easy implementation of additional network drivers through common device + interface of the master. + - Runs even with PCMCIA cards. + +* Supports multiple EtherCAT masters on one machine. + +* Supports any realtime extension through independent architecture. + - RTAI, IPIPE, ADEOS, etc. + - Runs well even without realtime extensions. + +* Common kernel interface, for realtime modules using EtherCAT functionality. + - Synchronous and asynchronous sending and receiving of frames. + - Avoidance of unnecessary copy operations for process data. + +* Separating slave groups through domains. + - Handling of multiple slave groups with different sampling rates. + - Automatic calculation of process data mapping, FMMU- and sync manager + configuration within the domains. + +* Master finite state machine (FSM). Thus: + - Bus monitoring during realtime operation. + - Automatic reconfiguration of slaves on bus power failure during realtime + operation. + - Controlling of slave states during realtime operation. + +* Free-Run mode, if master is idle. + - Automatic scanning of slaves upon topology changes. + - Bus visualisation and EoE processing without realtime process connected. + +* Implements the CANopen-over-EtherCAT (CoE) protocol. + - Configuration of CoE-capable slaves via SDO interface. + - SDO dictionary listing. + +* Implements the Ethernet-over-EtherCAT (EoE) protocol. + - Creates virtual network devices that are automatically coupled to + EoE-capable slaves. + - Thus natively supports either a switched or a routed EoE network + architecture. + +* User space interface via the System Filesystem (SysFS). + - User space tool for bus visualisation. + - Slave EĀ²PROM image reading and writing. + +* Seamless integration in your favourite Linux distibution. + - Master and network device configuration via sysconfig files. + - UnitedLinux compatible init script for master control. + +* Virtual read-only network interface for debugging purposes and for + "sniffing" the EtherCAT traffic (through Ethereal, or others). + +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------