Communication Interface
The communication interface can provide USB, Ethernet and EtherCAT® connections.
The SmarAct Application Programming Environment (API) allows to control the MCS2 in several ways. For textbased programming languages like C and C++ dynamic and shared libraries are available. A python module enables fast and easy script based development. Graphical programming with LabVIEW™ is supported as well. The API is available for Windows and Linux. Detailed programming examples in C/C++, Python and LabVIEW™ are provided for a quick and easy introduction to programming the MCS2 controller.
USB and Ethernet
- The USB interface allows using the SmarAct API for communication.
- The Ethernet interface allows using the SmarAct API for communication and alternatively provides a SCPI based ASCII command protocol for plain text communication, which makes the MCS2 independent from the use of additional libraries or operating systems.
EtherCAT®
An EtherCAT® interface may be integrated optionally to extend the MCS2 with a DS402 device profile compatible interface with the following features:
- DS402 operating modes: PP, CSP, HM for closed-loop operation
- Additional operating modes for open-loop Scan- and Step-movements and calibration routines
- EtherCAT® cycle rate: up to 1 kHz
- Factor Group support for position value scaling