Funcience EtherCAT Slave Controllers

When selecting an EtherCAT slave controller, consider these key specifications: Number of EtherCAT ports (2 or 3) based on your network topology requirements. PHY integration - integrated PHYs reduce BOM cost but external PHYs offer more flexibility. DPRAM size determines the amount of process data that can be exchanged. Host interface type (SPI for simple MCUs, parallel for high bandwidth). Temperature range for your operating environment. Cycle time requirements - all Funcience controllers support down to 125μs. Package type for your PCB design. Power consumption for thermal management. Funcience provides options covering various combinations of these parameters.

Review the parameter table below and match specifications to your application needs. Contact our FAE team for detailed selection guidance.

The FCE1100 is designed as a pin-to-pin compatible alternative to Beckhoff ET1100. Both are 2-port EtherCAT slave controllers with 8KB DPRAM and similar host interfaces. The FCE1100 matches ET1100 functionality while offering advantages in localization support, pricing, and supply security. Key specifications are equivalent: both support 100BASE-TX Ethernet, SPI and parallel MCU interfaces, and industrial temperature range. FCE1100 has been tested for compatibility with major EtherCAT masters including Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens, and open source implementations. Migration from ET1100 to FCE1100 typically requires only software configuration changes without hardware modification.

FCE1100 is an ideal drop-in replacement for ET1100 in new designs or as a second source. Contact us for migration support and compatibility documentation.

Funcience EtherCAT controllers support multiple host interfaces to accommodate different MCU architectures. The SPI interface is suitable for low-pin-count MCUs and simple applications with moderate data rates. The 8/16-bit parallel MCU interface provides higher bandwidth for applications requiring fast process data exchange. The 32-bit parallel I/O interface offers maximum performance for demanding applications. FCE1100 supports SPI and 8/16-bit parallel interfaces. FCE1353 adds 32-bit parallel interface option. All interfaces are well-documented with timing diagrams and configuration examples. Funcience provides driver code examples for popular MCU platforms.

Choose SPI for simple applications with pin-constrained MCUs, or parallel interfaces for high-performance requirements. Reference designs are available for each interface type.

Developing EtherCAT slave devices with Funcience chips involves several steps: First, select the appropriate controller based on port and PHY requirements. Design hardware using Funcience reference schematics and layout guidelines. Implement the host MCU firmware using Funcience driver libraries. Configure the EtherCAT device description (ESI) file for your application. Test with an EtherCAT master using Funcience evaluation tools. Funcience provides comprehensive support including reference designs, sample code, ESI configuration tools, and debugging assistance. The typical development cycle from prototype to production is 3-6 months depending on application complexity.

Start with a Funcience evaluation kit to accelerate development. Contact LiTong for development support and reference design access.

Funcience EtherCAT controllers are available in industrial temperature grades suitable for harsh environments. Standard industrial grade supports -40°C to +85°C operating temperature, suitable for most factory automation applications. Extended temperature grade supports -40°C to +105°C or +125°C for demanding applications. All products undergo temperature cycling and high-temperature operating life testing. Storage temperature range is typically -55°C to +150°C. Thermal characteristics including junction-to-ambient thermal resistance are specified in datasheets for thermal design guidance. Funcience controllers have been successfully deployed in applications ranging from refrigerated environments to high-temperature industrial equipment.

Select temperature grade based on your operating environment. Contact us for reliability data and qualification reports for specific temperature requirements.