How Can I Modify My EtherCAT XML Device Description to Include Other I/O?

Updated Jan 12, 2023

Reported In

Driver

NI-Industrial Communications for EtherCAT

Issue Details

I am using a 3rd party EtherCAT slave device and am importing its XML Device Description according to the instructions provided by NI for Adding Third-Party EtherCAT Slaves in LabVIEW . When modifying an existing PDO mapping to correspond to a new index and name, I am able to successfully deploy these settings and use them with my device. However, when I add a new PDO entry and deploy this XML profile, my EtherCAT device no longer works correctly. How can I successfully modify my XML device profile?

Solution

XML Device Descriptions are imported into LabVIEW through the NI-Industrial Communications for EtherCAT driver according to the EtherCAT standard.

In order for an XML Device Description to work correctly, it must meet EtherCAT specifications and be supported by the EtherCAT slave device.
In some cases, the profile may meet EtherCAT specifications but the slave device will not support that configuration. For example, some devices may have a limit to the total number of bytes that PDO entries can be mapped to.
The EtherCAT technical manual for the slave should outline what PDO and SDO communications are supported.
If not found in the manual, contact the device manufacturer for the EtherCAT slave about supported mappings.

Additional Information

Erratic XML Device Descriptions may manifest themselves in a number of ways:

Failure to import XML into LabVIEW project.
Inconsistent scan mode settings between Master and Slave.
Error Message indicating that not all slave devices are responding to the master.
Incorrect values received from shared variables on slave devices.
Unusually long EtherCAT Master deployment from the LabVIEW Project.

When encountering these errors, it is recommended to revert back to a previous version of the XML Device Description that is known to work with the device, preferably a file from the manufacturer. If there are questions about how LabVIEW interprets EtherCAT XML Device Description files, review the resources below and then contact NI Support.

Other Support Options

Ask the NI Community

Collaborate with other users in our discussion forums

Search the NI Community for a solution

Request Support from an Engineer

A valid service agreement or active software subscription may be required, and support options vary by country.

Open a service request

Learn about software subscriptions and services

Learn about hardware service programs