Beckhoff Automation Announces I/O Terminals for eXtreme Fast Control™ (XFC)

Beckhoff EtherCAT® I/O terminals feature XFC technologies for oversampling and time stamping

MINNEAPOLIS, July 24, 2008 – In order to provide solutions suitable for industrial applications with the most demanding requirements for high speed and precise I/O, Beckhoff Automation has announced EtherCAT® Terminals for eXtreme Fast Control™ (XFC).

The EtherCAT Terminal system from Beckhoff is a comprehensive I/O family that is ideal for a wide range of applications with its high data throughput and distributed clock synchronization with a jitter of << 1 microsecond (μs). Newly developed XFC terminals offer special features that make them particularly suitable for fast or high-precision applications:

• EtherCAT Terminals with time stamping latch the exact system time at which edge changes occur. Output of digital values can occur at precise, predefined times.
• EtherCAT Terminals with oversampling enable actual value acquisition or set value output with a significantly higher time resolution than the communication cycle time. Distributed clocks with a jitter of << 1 μs and a time resolution of 1 μs are used for time synchronization across the whole system.
• Fast I/O is supported by digital EtherCAT I/O Terminals with very short input delays or switching times of < 1 μs.

XFC control technology enables extremely fast and highly deterministic response times. Its implementation requires integrated support of all hardware and software components involved in the control system: EtherCAT as the system fieldbus, EtherCAT Terminals as the I/O system, Industrial PCs as the control hardware platform, and TwinCAT as the automation and control software. All of these elements are available from Beckhoff Automation.

XFC I/O terminals in overview:

For more information: www.beckhoff.com/XFC

EtherCAT®, eXtreme Fast Control™ (XFC) and TwinCAT® are registered trademarks of Beckhoff Automation.

Beckhoff Automation provides advanced, open automation products based upon proven technologies so that customers can implement high performance control systems faster and at a lower overall cost than traditional PLC and motion control systems. Beckhoff’s “New Automation Technology” product range includes PC based control, industrial PCs, automation controllers, operator interface, I/O, servo drives and motors. With representation in more than 60 countries, Beckhoff is well positioned to provide global sales and service to its customers. Sales and service are handled directly, with no intermediaries involved to provide faster response and improved communications.

Please send readers' questions regarding “Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminals for XFC“ to:

Beckhoff Automation LLC
12150 Nicollet Ave. S
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: 952-890-0000
Fax: 952-890-2888
e-mail: beckhoff.usa@beckhoff.com

Contact: Beckhoff USA