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Organisation

Introduction

The EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) is the forum in which key user companies from various industries and leading automation suppliers join forces to support, promote and advance the EtherCAT technology.

How to get involved in ETG?

ETG has gained a reputation of getting things done effectively. The organizational structure aims to ensure this:

Every ETG member is invited to contribute to the advancement of the EtherCAT Technology by active participation in the various technical Working Groups and Task Forces, which report to the Technical Committee (TC), The TC typically meets twice a year near Frankfurt International Airport, Germany, in order to ensure convenient access also from abroad. Committee participation, however, is not the only way of contributing to the specifications: members may also submit Technology Modification Requests directly to the TC chairperson for evaluation by the Technical Advisory Board (TAB). The TAB reviews and releases the EtherCAT specifications, selects and approves the Conformance Test Tool and releases new versions of the Tool. The Technical Advisory Board also acts as arbitration body in case of appeals against conformance verdicts.

Global EtherCAT promotion activities are coordinated by the Marketing Committee. The ETG Regional Committee Japan organizes and funds EtherCAT promotional and support activities in Japan. The ETG membership assembly decides upon the ETG bylaws and elects the Board of Directors. This membership assembly - typically held in conjunction with the SPS/IPC/Drives trade show (Nuremberg, Germany) - is not the only event where members receive reports about the ETG activities and provide corresponding feedback: at regional member meetings (e.g. in Japan and Korea) members that cannot attend the meetings in Germany are updated as well.

The Board of Directors oversees the Executive, selects and appoints the EtherCAT Test Centers and supervises their operations. It also appoints the members of the Technical Advisory Board and the chairperson of the Technical Committee.

Goals of the Group

EtherCAT is an open technology. The EtherCAT Technology Group stands for this approach and ensures that every interested company may implement and use EtherCAT.

At the same time the EtherCAT Technology Group aims to ensure the compatibility of EtherCAT implementations by defining functional requirements, conformance tests as well as certification procedures.

ETG's goal is to ensure that EtherCAT technology meets and exceeds the requirements of the widest possible application range. In order to accomplish this goal the group combines leading control and application experts from machine builders, system integrators, end users and automation suppliers to provide both qualified feedback about application of the existing technology and proposals for future extensions of the specification.

Benefits of Membership

EtherCAT device vendors are encouraged to join ETG so that they get access to development products and implementation support as well as their own EtherCAT vendor ID and the Conformance Test Tool. EtherCAT users support the technology and its adaptation to their industry by joining the ETG.

  • ETG members have access to the members-only part of the EtherCAT website, which provides specifications, implementation guidelines, a developers forum, the EtherCAT Knowlege Base and other up-to-date information regarding the technology.
  • EtherCAT development products are intended for ETG members only.
  • Group members get preferred access to specification drafts, white papers, proceedings of ETG events, evaluation products and thus have a head start in evaluating, using or implementing the EtherCAT technology.
  • Members are eligible to participate in working groups or technical committees and thus have influence on future enhancements of the EtherCAT technology specifications. A list of all ETG Working Groups is available within the members-only area.
  • ETG represent the member’s interest in international standardization committees such as IEC and ISO.
  • Latest information about the group, further developments of the technology and possible marketing participation as well as upcoming events is distributed via the ETG info mail (member's newsletter).
  • The member companies may use the EtherCAT logo to show their support for this technology as well as the EtherCAT Technology Group logo to show their membership in the group.
  • ETG members are eligible to promote their EtherCAT product(s) in the EtherCAT Product Guide and at ETG joint booths at major trade shows.
  • The membership is free of charge.

Apply for Membership!

If you are interested in becoming a member of the EtherCAT Technology Group, please contact the ETG Headquarters by phone or email. All necessary information, e.g. requirements as well as the membership application form will be provided.

You can download the ETG By-Laws within the download section.