How Space Robotics benefits from the World Standard for Motion Communication

Abstract

The space industry is in transition and has realized that sticking to proprietary technologies is a cost trap, while adopting proven standards leads to success faster and more economically. This is particularly true for space robotics and its communication technologies: agreeing on a uniform standard makes particular sense here, because this leads to standard components from which all space robot makers benefit. This paper discusses the fieldbus requirements of space robotics and shows how EtherCAT - the world standard for motion communication - meets these requirements.