Conventional Ethernet media converters do not meet the requirements for a highly deterministic EtherCAT network. In addition to that, standard converters behave ‘transparently’ towards the bus, i.e. they are not seen by the master, which has a disadvantageous effect on the diagnostic properties. This gap is now closed with the EtherCAT media converters for Industrial Fast Ethernet (100 Mbaud). The devices from the CU1521 series convert optical fibre physics to copper physics and vice versa. The CU1521 is suitable for multimode, the CU1521-0010 for single mode fibre optic and therefore significantly longer transmission links.
The DIN rail-mountable CU1521 and CU1561 EtherCAT media converters are implemented with IP20 protection. They operate bi-directionally and collision-free with constant delay and can be diagnosed as independent EtherCAT devices. In this way, unlike standard media converters, they enable fast link control and the safe closing of the EtherCAT strand even in the event of a fault. Since the transfer direction is relevant for the bus, the devices can be configured via a switch. This switch is also used to set the ‘Link Loss Forwarding’ function for the support of a ‘normal’ 100 Mbaud Ethernet network.
The CU1521 is useful in applications where EtherCAT is to be transmitted over distances of up to 2000 m between two stations or where increased electromagnetic interference on the bus is to be expected. The CU1561 is suitable for situations with increased electromagnetic interference and where simplified wiring is demanded.
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