ABSTRACT: Real time EtherCAT technology is introduce detailedly. Operating principle, communication protocol and the superiority performance of EtherCAT, such as synchronicity, simultaneousness and high speed, are included. Then, based on the problem of real time communication existed in substation automation system, a novel and feasible resolving method of system model of EtherCAT is proposed. Finally, the significance of application of EtherCAT in power system is presented.
KEY WORDS: substation automation,EtherCAT, real time communication, TWinCAT