Create your own EtherCAT engineering application.
The KPA EtherCAT Studio 2 Development Framework (SDF) provides the software components, business logic and user interface building blocks required to develop custom EtherCAT configuration and diagnostic applications.
Whether you need a specialized engineering application, an integrated diagnostic environment or a complete OEM solution, SDF provides a proven foundation while allowing full control over functionality and user experience.
KPA EtherCAT Studio 2 is one example of an engineering application built using SDF.
KPA EtherCAT Studio
Ready-to-use engineering application
Fixed functionality
Ready for immediate use
Ideal for end users
Studio Development Framework (SDF)
Build your own engineering application
Fully customizable
Integrated into your own software
Ideal for OEMs and software developers
Architecture
Built on proven EtherCAT expertise
SDF is the foundation behind KPA EtherCAT Studio 2 — a full-featured reference implementation that demonstrates what you can achieve with the framework.
Whether you need a standalone configuration utility or a deeply integrated module within a larger engineering suite, SDF provides the building blocks to get there quickly — with the confidence of industry-proven technology.
Flexible front-end integration
SDF is designed to fit into your existing development environment, not replace it. Connect to a running SDF instance remotely and orchestrate EtherCAT operations from your own applications:
- .NET Remoting — connect to a running SDF instance remotely
- WCF — service-oriented integration for distributed architectures
- COM — legacy and Windows-native application support
Powerful back-end: KPA EtherCAT Master
SDF maintains an online connection to KPA EtherCAT Master, which acts as the communication back end for configuration, control and diagnostic operations.
Through this connection, applications built with SDF can access live EtherCAT bus data, upload configuration information and perform diagnostic tasks.
Support for ETG specifications helps ensure compatibility with standard EtherCAT devices and integration into existing EtherCAT environments.
Components
Ready-made dialogs and controls
SDF provides a comprehensive set of user interface components that cover the most demanding EtherCAT engineering tasks. Instead of designing complex UI from scratch, developers compose professional-grade tools using pre-built elements:
Dialogs — configuration wizards, property editors, online connection and bus verification dialogs, diagnostic views, plugin and tool launchers.
Controls — Process Image viewers and editors, topology visualization elements, state machine monitors, Mailbox protocol interfaces (CoE, FoE, SoE, and more).
All UI components follow a unified design language, ensuring your custom tool feels polished and professional from day one.
Complete EtherCAT object model
At the core of SDF lies a rich set of business logic interfaces representing the full EtherCAT configuration and runtime model:
- Project & security — project management, versioning, user access control
- Master & network — ENI generation, automatic frame creation, bus scanning, Cyclic Tasks/Units, Distributed Clock
- Slave configuration — Process Image variables, Init commands, Device Identification, Mailbox services, S2S communication, EoE subnet, power analysis
- Slave library — extensive device library and ESI-based device support
- Online interface — RPC to KPA EtherCAT Master, real-time monitoring, ENI upload with error detection
Plug-ins for specialized devices
Extend your custom tool with ready-to-use plug-ins for popular EtherCAT gateway and interface devices — the same plug-ins available in KPA EtherCAT Studio:
- EL6731-0010 — Profibus slave support
- EL6731 — Profibus Master support
- EL6751 — CAN and CANopen support
- EL600x / EL602x / EP6002 / EP6002-0002 — Virtual Serial COM support
- KPA EtherCAT 4CAN Gateway — 4-CAN Gateway support
- EL6692 / EL6695 — Master-to-Master support
- EL622x / EP622x / EJ622x — IO-Link device support
- MDP Modules, Profibus Master Gateway Profile 3100, and more
Professional diagnostic and engineering tools
SDF includes a suite of ready-made tools that can be integrated into your application as standalone modules or combined into a unified workspace:
- Data Logger, EEPROM Editor, ESI and EEPROM Comparator
- Frame Logger, Motion Configuration Utility, Process Image Viewer
- Runtime Data Logger, S2S Communication Editor
- Snapshot Viewer, Topology Viewer
SDF’s open architecture also allows you to develop custom plug-ins and tools tailored to your specific devices, protocols, or workflows.
Autoconfigurator User Interface
Typically, EtherCAT operates with a static bus configuration defined by ENI files. However, this can be restrictive when the final equipment is unknown during development — for example, machines with interchangeable tools that require dynamic device configuration at runtime.
SDF provides the Autoconfigurator User Interface to create individual device configurations and dynamically combine them on the Master Autoconfigurator, forming a complete bus configuration without relying on external engineering tools.
Localization
SDF provides localization tools that allow you to adapt your application to different languages (EN, DE, CN, and more). A straightforward procedure lets you add new languages across your user interface. Your tool can support any language your customers require.
Remote Configuration and Control
SDF provides built-in support for remote configuration, control and diagnostics of KPA EtherCAT Master over a network connection. An integrated RPC Client manages communication between the engineering application and the target system, while SDF delivers the functionality required for remote configuration, diagnostics and system control. This enables the development of distributed engineering, commissioning and service applications with minimal integration effort.
Customization
Customer‑Specific Configuration
SDF enables the creation of application configurations tailored to specific product requirements. Customization is based on customer-provided data and functional requirements, allowing behavior, feature sets and user interface elements to be adapted without modifying the underlying framework.
This approach simplifies the development of product-specific engineering tools while maintaining compatibility with future SDF updates.
Brand labeling
SDF supports the Brand Labeling Framework (BLF), allowing engineering tools to be delivered under your own product identity. Company logos, colors, product names, menu structures and workflow sequences can be customized to match corporate branding and application requirements.
SDF provides a comprehensive set of interfaces and GUI components for building fully branded EtherCAT configuration and diagnostic applications using the BLF procedure.
Part of the KPA EtherCAT Ecosystem
SDF is part of a complete, seamlessly integrated EtherCAT toolchain. Whether you are building a master, a slave, a diagnostic tool, or a motion control system, KPA products work together to accelerate your development.
With this ecosystem, you can:
- Build custom configuration and diagnostic tools using SDF
- Control your EtherCAT network with the KPA EtherCAT Master
- Equip your devices with the KPA EtherCAT Slave Stack
- Analyze network traffic with the KPA EtherCAT Analyzer
- Automate motion with the KPA Motion Control Library
