With XFC (eXtreme Fast Control) technology, you can maximize the sampling rate of the Q.series XE modules, regardless of the EtherCAT cycle time.
XFC (eXtreme Fast Control) technology
In an EtherCAT network, measurement data can be transferred up to a maximum of 10,000 times per second (Hz). To achieve higher data rates, the Q.series I/O modules support XFC (eXtreme Fast Control) technology. With XFC technology, an I/O module doesn't transfer just one sample per EtherCAT frame, but several samples (oversampling). For example, if a frame cycle time is 200 µs and 10 measurements per frame are transferred, then you get a time-base resolution of 20 µs for the samples of this channel.
Through oversampling, the Q.series I/O modules support the maximum sampling rate with an EtherCAT bus cycle time of 1 kS/s or higher. This means that the Q.series modules, with a maximum sampling rate of 20 kS/s, are able to transmit 20 samples per EtherCAT frame, and Q.series modules with a maximum sampling rate of 100 kS/s can transfer 100 samples per EtherCAT frame.
Not every EtherCAT master supports XFC technology. Please check the specifications of your EtherCAT master before proceeding.
Setting oversampling with GI.bench
You can adjust the setting in the Variable settings window in the Oversampling tab. In this example, the samples are to be transferred at 20,000 values per second (Subsamp. freq. divider). To be able to transfer these values with a bus cycle time of 2 ms (500 Hz), the Depth of values to be transferred per frame is set to 40. Consequently, 40 values are transferred every 2 ms, i.e. in total 20,000 values per second. With a cycle time of 1 ms (1000 Hz), the Depth could be reduced to 20.
Setting oversampling with ICP100
In ICP100 double-click on the Additionals column to open the oversampling settings. In this example, the samples are to be transferred at 20,000 values per second (Subsampling frequency). To be able to transfer these values with a bus cycle time of 2 ms (500 Hz), the Count of values to be transferred per frame is set to 40. Consequently, 40 values are transferred every 2 ms, i.e. in total 20,000 values per second. With a cycle time of 1 ms (1000 Hz), the Count could be reduced to 20.
