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What the project does
EASE acts as the EtherCAT slave, while the master is a PC or laptop running Esmacat master software, or an optional Esmacat Master S or Master C device. The Arduino Uno hosts the shields. Pressing one of the LCD shield’s control buttons sends button information through the EtherCAT setup so it can be seen in the master terminal.
The tutorial describes EASE as having eight registers for sending and receiving data between devices over Ethernet cabling. This is a device detail reported by the 2020 tutorial, not a verified specification for every current board revision.
Parts and their roles
| Part | Role in the tutorial |
|---|---|
| EtherCAT Arduino Shield by Esmacat (EASE) | EtherCAT slave shield stacked on the Arduino subsystem. |
| Arduino Uno | Host board named in the tutorial’s parts list. |
| 16×2 LCD shield with keypad | Provides the display and button inputs. The tutorial describes six buttons: Select, Up, Down, Left, Right, and Reset. The five control buttons use analog input A0. |
| EtherCAT master | Runs on a PC or laptop, or on an Esmacat Master S or Master C. |
| PoE injector, DC adapter, Ethernet cables | Provide the network connection and, in the tutorial’s setup, power. The tutorial says the injector can power the Arduino through EASE, avoiding a separate Arduino supply. It does not establish a compatible injector model or electrical ratings. |
Set up the hardware and software
The tutorial’s workflow is to prepare the master and slave, install their libraries, build the master program, and upload the Arduino sketch. The article links to separate setup instructions for Windows and Linux; follow the instructions matching the intended master computer and operating system.
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- Assemble the Arduino subsystem. Stack EASE and the LCD keypad shield on the Arduino Uno, following the board and shield documentation for the hardware in hand.
- Connect the network and power. Use the PoE injector, its DC adapter, and Ethernet cables as shown in the tutorial’s setup. Verify the injector’s electrical compatibility and the boards’ power requirements before connecting them; the tutorial does not provide ratings that establish compatibility for other hardware.
- Install the EASE Arduino library. Use the library and setup directions linked from the Esmacat tutorial.
- Set up the EtherCAT master. Install the Esmacat Master library and follow the tutorial’s linked Windows or Linux master setup instructions, as applicable.
- Build the master C++ files and upload the Arduino sketch. Use the project files and steps referenced in the tutorial. The available description does not specify current library versions, IDE settings, or build commands.
- Run the master program and press a control button. The tutorial describes button presses being reported in the master terminal. Check that Ethernet connectors are firmly seated if communication does not appear.
Check button input if readings are unexpected
The LCD shield’s five control buttons share A0 and are distinguished by analog values. If a press is missing or identified incorrectly, compare the observed value ranges with the datasheet for the exact LCD shield model in use. The 2020 tutorial does not identify a specific shield vendor or publish numeric thresholds, so do not assume values from another model will match.
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What to verify before replicating the 2020 setup
- Confirm that the current EASE revision is compatible with the Arduino Uno and LCD shield pin usage.
- Check current versions and operating-system support for the EASE Arduino library and Esmacat Master library.
- Verify the injector, DC adapter, and board electrical requirements from current documentation rather than inferring ratings from the tutorial’s parts list.
- Confirm product availability and follow the manufacturer’s current instructions where they differ from the tutorial.
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