EtherCAT - Conformance and Interoperability
Conformance and Interoperability are very important factors for the success of a communication technology. Therefore the EtherCAT Technology Group is taking these topics very seriously. Conformance of the technology implementation with the specifications is the pre-requisite of interoperability, which means that devices of different manufacturers co-operate within the same networked application. In order to achieve both, the ETG initially started with a pragmatic approach: the plug fests.
Plug Fest: Plug Fests - typically these are two day events - are meetings where master and slave device suppliers gather to test and improve interoperability, to share implementation tips and tricks and clarify questions regarding the technology. The plug fest have established themselves as pragmatic and effective means to achieve interoperable EtherCAT products. They are typically attended by 20 or more device vendors, representing 50+ different products. The ETG will continue to organize such plug fests, but also has initiated a Conformance Test Tool.
Conformance Test Tool: The Conformance Test Tool allows one to check protocol compliance without traveling to a plug fest location. The EtherCAT Conformance Test Tool was demonstrated for the first time in September 2006 at the ETG Technical Committee meeting. Besides a standard PC, the MS Windows based conformance test tool does not require any special hardware. The EtherCAT frames to stimulate the Device under Test (DuT) are sent and received via the standard PC Ethernet port. The tool reads the test cases from an XML file, so that test scenario enhancements can be generated without modifications to the test tool itself. Test results and comments are shown in a test logger. The tool tests and validates the electronic device description files, and also includes an editor to generate and edit such files.  For screenshots of the tool please click here.
Task Force Testing: the Technical Committee of the EtherCAT Technology Group established the Task Force Testing, which defines the test procedures and in particular works on enhancing the test cases. The Task Force Testing meets regularly, either in face-to-face or in web meetings. The test cases issued by this task force are also used by the ETG test labs for the official conformance test.
Conformance Test: Using the test tool in the R&D lab whilst developing, modifying or enhancing the device is helpful, but this does not provide independent test results. Such independent results are obtained in an official EtherCAT Test Center, which is either operated or officially authorized by the EtherCAT Technology Group.
EtherCAT Test Center: The ETG is currently establishing the first official EtherCAT Test Center, a conformance testing lab at the ETG headquarter in Nuremberg, Germany.  Additional test labs in Asia and North America are intended. The Test Center does not only perform the official conformance test, but also provides qualified feedback and implementation support for the ETG members. Furthermore, the test center provides facilities for the interoperability test.
Interoperability Test: This test is performed using a network with a diverse combination of EtherCAT devices. Such networks are maintained and constantly enhanced at the EtherCAT Test Centers. If a device passes both the official conformance test and the interoperability test at the EtherCAT Test Center, ETG issues the Conformance Certificate.
Conformance Certificate: Devices for which a Conformance Certificate has been issued are EtherCAT Conformance Tested Products. They may carry the Test Certificate Logo and they are marked accordingly in the ETG product guide.