Raspberry Pi EtherCAT

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Following these instructions, you can turn your Raspberry PI 3 or newer into a complete IEC-61131 PLC with EtherCAT support. The Ethernet Port will be turned into an EtherCAT port while connctivity with Logic Lab can be done via Wifi.

Hardware Setup

For the EtherCAT version of the runtime only Raspberry PI >= 3 with WiFi is supported. Also the runtime is available only via a prebuilt SD card image. It requires an SD or uSD at least 8GB.

Program a SD or uSD card with a full Raspbian image, already configured to run LLExec PLC runtime

The image is used to program an SD card, containing:

  • the Raspbian distribution
  • the LLExec PLC runtime with Wifi enabled and EtherCAT.

Download and configure the image

You can download the image following the instructions on the page

https://www.axelsw.it/pwiki/index.php/Raspberry_Pi

Once downloaded the image, you need to convert it in the EtherCAT image:
log in the Raspberry,with user=pi and password=axel, then acquire root privileges:

sudo -s

as root, from the directory /data/plc lauch the script:

./setImageEtherCAT.sh

The Raspberry PI will reboot with all the configuration already set.

Configure the Wifi

Please mount the SD on a Linux PC, or boot the Raspberry PI with monitor and keyboard. Modify the file /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf as required by your wireless network.

Login into the system

Login as user pi, password axel

Demo mode and licensing

The LLExec runtime will run in demo-mode: this means that is fully operational for 30 minutes.
After this time is expired, is required to reboot the Raspberry PI.

To obtain a full license you can ask for:

  • Free licenses that will be offered ONLY after presenting a detailed description of the purpose of the license.If you need it for educational purpose please introduce you, your school and your class project including teacher references.
    PLEASE NOTE: any incomplete request will be denied.
  • Commercial license: please ask for a quotation.

In any case specify that EtherCAT License is required

To request a license you need first to retrieve your HardwareID. On LogicLab switch to the tab "Resources", then click on the root node "Raspberry PI". This will open a window, if the device is connected, you will see "Status: Not licensed". Please click '"Read"' on HardwareID field, then sent that string to support@axelsw.it.


More informations

For more information you can consult the online manual, or follow our tutorials available in the news section of the website or on YouTube by following the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Axelsrl

In case of troubles: save a Log File

In the case of any trouble, you can save the log file, this file can be sent to support@axelsw.it Steps:

  • login into the Raspberry PI
  • acquire root priviledges
sudo -s
  • go to directory /data/plc
  • launch ./AlTracePrint LLExec
  • press s
  • insert the preferred filename
  • then press q to quit AlTracePrint
  • send us the log file you saved

Support

For any technical issue please send an email support@axelsw.it