Tools
Various tools which can be used during development are also available. In addition to the possibilities listed below, various member companies and service providers also offer additional configuration, testing and development tools.
IC Monitor
The IC-Monitor is a powerful diagnostic tool which enables the analysis of Sercos III networks. For this purpose, the IC-Monitor offers its users the complete range of functions of the formerly available Sercos Monitor. All of those functions are available in the Free version of the IC-Monitor.
More information on Sercos analysis is available at https://www.ic-monitor.com/sercos-analysis/.
The IC-Monitor was developed by Steinbeis Embedded Systems Technologies GmbH in cooperation with Sercos International. Complete details can be found at https://www.ic-monitor.com/.
The IC-Monitor requires Windows 10 with .NET Framework / .NET Core.
The IC-Monitor is available in different license versions. Complete details are available at https://www.ic-monitor.com/licenses/.
All versions of the IC-Monitor can be downloaded at https://www.ic-monitor.com/downloads/.
Sercos IPS Conformizer
The Sercos IPS Conformizer is a free testing tool to verify the correct implementation of the Sercos Internet Protocol Services (S-IPS). Download from www.sercos.org/downloads/tools/.
S-IPS defines various services to access devices in Sercos networks by using common Internet protocols. Some of these services are also called S/IP and are based on the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), as well as the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). These services include functions for device identification, network configuration, and access to Sercos parameters and diagnostics. In addition, the IPS defines a firmware update via the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP).
The speciality of IPS is that these services do not require a Sercos master or a running Sercos real-time communication. Even in cyclic real-time operation the specified services can be used. In this case the IPS telegrams are transferred via the UC-channel (Unified Communication Channel) of Sercos, without having a negative influence on the real-time behaviour of the network.
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MultiSlave-Emulator
The PC-based Sercos MultiSlave Emulator allows the emulation of a Sercos network with multiple slave devices. The tool supports the Windows XP and Windows 7 operating systems and uses an active Sercos PCI plug-in card from Automata. A user-friendly interface allows the emulation of a complete Sercos network and connected Sercos slave devices. The emulated Sercos devices can be freely configured. By reading out the available parameters from the physical devices and importing these into the MultiSlave Emulator, the emulation of the individual devices, as well as the complete network configuration, can be executed with a minimum of effort.
Test Master
Sercos International offers a test master to ensure the compatibility of Sercos III slave devices. This reference software helps to ensure that Sercos III slave implementation is carried out correctly so that slaves from different manufacturers are compatible and interoperable. Using this, the certification of a slave device can be carried out with the minimal amount of time and expense. The Sercos III Test Master is offered as a complete test and development environment for Sercos slave connections. It contains an active PCI Sercos III interface card, and the original reference software which runs on Windows XP without any additional real-time extensions.
Slave Conformizer
The Sercos Slave Conformizer is used for official conformity tests of slave implementations which form the basis for formal certification. It can be purchased by manufacturers in order to check a product’s conformity to specifications during the development phase or to carry out a complete quality control inspection over the course of development. This helps reduce development time and optimizes conformity testing. A PCI plug-in card is used as test hardware for the Sercos Conformizer. The test cases can be configured with a scripting language and can be processed automatically. The test results provided in a protocol document can immediately be used to prove conformity. The scripting language and configurable ID number-based data makes it easy to adapt and expand test scenarios and to integrate manufacturer-specific tests.