The gateway connects a subordinate SmartWire-DT network to any EtherCAT master. It represents a single EtherCAT slave and maps each SmartWire-DT station and its process data modularly in slots. In sum 1000 bytes input and output process data can be exchanged and it will be converted transparently between both networks. The full range of 99 SmartWire-DT stations is supported.

Commissioning is performed using the configuration button on the front of the device. Pressing it will recognize the connected SmartWire-DT topology and saved it in the gateway. The EtherCAT master is able to read out this configuration over EtherCAT in order to rebuild the configuration automatically in the engineering tool in conjunction with the ESI device description file.

Eatons planning and ordering tool SWD-Assist may be used optionally. It helps to dimension the SmartWire-DT strand and carries out further diagnostics over the gateways USB port in the event of a network error. SWD-Assist is not part of the gateways scope of delivery. It can be downloaded free of charge at www.hilscher.com or ordered as DVD inclusive USB cable at cost price.