scope:

ETHERNET Powerlink (EPL) is a communication profile for Real-Time Ethernet (RTE). It extends Ethernet according to the IEEE 802.3/ISO/IEC 8802-3 standard with mechanisms to transfer data with predictable timing and precise synchronisation. The communication profile meets timing demands typical for high-performance automation and motion applications. It does not change basic principles of the Fast Ethernet Standard IEEE 802.3 but extends it towards RTE. Thus it is possible to leverage and continue to use any standard Ethernet silicon, infrastructure component or test and measurement equipment like a network analyzer.