#Product Trends
EtherCAT to CAN FD Gateway as a stand-alone Module Solution
Seamless Connection between EtherCAT and CAN FD
esd electronics has introduced the CAN-EtherCAT/2-FD, an innovative stand-alone gateway that provides direct connectivity between CAN FD and EtherCAT. The new gateway enables seamless integration of CAN FD devices into real-time EtherCAT networks without requiring proprietary I/O platforms or dedicated control systems.
Designed for industrial automation applications, the CAN-EtherCAT/2-FD is ideal for machine builders, system integrators, and test engineers who need to connect CAN FD-based components to EtherCAT environments while maintaining deterministic real-time communication.
"With the CAN-EtherCAT/2-FD, we bridge the gap between modern CAN FD systems and established EtherCAT communication—without compromising real-time performance or standards compliance," says Hans Kürsten, Head of Product Management at esd electronics.
One key application area is the automated testing of CAN FD-enabled electronic control units (ECUs) and sensors in the automotive industry. The gateway integrates directly into EtherCAT-based test systems, transferring CAN FD messages with payloads of up to 64 bytes into the EtherCAT network with virtually no latency. This eliminates the need for additional software gateways or dedicated PC-based systems, reducing system complexity while improving overall performance.
The CAN-EtherCAT/2-FD features standardized EtherCAT SubDevice functionality compliant with ETG.5001 Module Profile 5000. As a result, it can be configured and operated using leading EtherCAT engineering tools such as TwinCAT and CODESYS. This simplifies test bench automation by enabling synchronized execution of test sequences and deterministic processing of real-time data within the EtherCAT network.
Key Features
• Stand-alone gateway for direct EtherCAT-to-CAN FD communication
• Supports CAN FD (up to 8 Mbit/s, 64-byte payload) and Classical CAN (CAN CC)
• Galvanically isolated CAN and EtherCAT interfaces
• Integrated message filtering and buffering for reduced bus load and deterministic communication
• Configuration via CoE using standardized ESI files
• Fully compliant with ETG.5001 Module Profile 5000
• Integrated Ethernet-over-EtherCAT (EoE) functionality
• Compact DIN rail housing
• Industrial-grade design with an operating temperature range of -20°C to +70°C and a 16–32 V DC power supply
With the CAN-EtherCAT/2-FD, esd electronics expands its portfolio with a flexible, standards-compliant gateway that enables efficient integration of modern CAN FD technology into EtherCAT-based automation and test systems. Combining real-time performance, ease of integration, and industrial robustness, the gateway offers an ideal solution for next-generation machine control and test automation applications.
