Firmware Update El/Es/Em/Epxxxx - Beckhoff EP1 Series Documentation

Commissioning/Configuration
4.8

Firmware Update EL/ES/EM/EPxxxx

This section describes the device update for Beckhoff EtherCAT slaves from the EL/ES, EM, EK and EP
series. A firmware update should only be carried out after consultation with Beckhoff support.
Storage locations
An EtherCAT slave stores operating data in up to 3 locations:
• Depending on functionality and performance EtherCAT slaves have one or several local controllers for
processing I/O data. The corresponding program is the so-called firmware in *.efw format.
• In some EtherCAT slaves the EtherCAT communication may also be integrated in these controllers. In
this case the controller is usually a so-called FPGA chip with *.rbf firmware.
• In addition, each EtherCAT slave has a memory chip, a so-called ESI-EEPROM, for storing its own
device description (ESI: EtherCAT Slave Information). On power-up this description is loaded and the
EtherCAT communication is set up accordingly. The device description is available from the download
area of the Beckhoff website at (http://www.beckhoff.de). All ESI files are accessible there as zip files.
Customers can access the data via the EtherCAT fieldbus and its communication mechanisms. Acyclic
mailbox communication or register access to the ESC is used for updating or reading of these data.
The TwinCAT System Manager offers mechanisms for programming all 3 parts with new data, if the slave is
set up for this purpose. Generally the slave does not check whether the new data are suitable, i.e. it may no
longer be able to operate if the data are unsuitable.
Risk of damage to the device!
Note the following when downloading new device files
Attention
• Firmware downloads to an EtherCAT device must not be interrupted
• Flawless EtherCAT communication must be ensured. CRC errors or LostFrames must be
avoided.
• The power supply must adequately dimensioned. The signal level must meet the specifi-
cation.
In the event of malfunctions during the update process the EtherCAT device may become
unusable and require re-commissioning by the manufacturer.
Device description ESI file/XML
Notice regarding update of the ESI description/EEPROM
Some slaves have stored calibration and configuration data from the production in the EEP-
ROM. These are irretrievably overwritten during an update.
Attention
The ESI device description is stored locally on the slave and loaded on start-up. Each device description has
a unique identifier consisting of slave name (9 characters/digits) and a revision number (4 digits). Each slave
configured in the System Manager shows its identifier in the EtherCAT tab:
98 Version: 2.5.0 EP1xxx