Using the Second EtherCAT Port at Single Board RIO

Updated Jan 11, 2023

Reported In

Hardware

  • sbRIO-9627
  • sbRIO-9607

Driver

  • NI-Industrial Communications for EtherCAT

Issue Details

I want to use NI sbRIO-9627 for EtherCAT Master Device. When I see the network configuration tab in NI MAX(Measurement & Automation Explorer), there are two port, eth0 and eth1. However, there is only one port, eth0, on the board of sbRIO-9627. I wonder that where is another network port, eth1, and how can I use it.

Solution

As you see in NI MAX(Measurement & Automation Explorer), the ethernet adapter 'eth0' is only for TCP/IP network. So, the adapter mode of 'eth0' isn't configurable. If you need to use sbRIO for EtherCAT Master, you should set up the ethernet adapter 'eth1' as an EtherCAT. It is also same with other RIO system, such as CompactRIO.

However, you can't use directly ethernet adapter 'eth1' on the board of sbRIO because 'eth1' is reserved at RMC(RIO Mezzanine Card) connector pin. It means that you should develop a daughter board for using sbRIO for EtherCAT master device. Both RMC connector pin number and recommended circuit schematic for designing a daughter board is mentioned at NI sbRIO-9627 User Manual  and NI sbRIO-9607/9627 RIO Mezzanine Card Design Guide . The following image is about GBE Reference Schematic.
So, for using a EtherCAT port in sbRIO, you should develop daughter board with reference to the above information.

Additional Information

If you do develop a daughter board and would like feedback, NI recommends reaching out to our Partner Network or inquiring about our Paid Support Offerings here. 

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