topic Re: S32k388 ethercat config in S32K

S32k388 ethercat config

vinmotion — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:29:41 GMT

Hello engineers, im new to nxp and ethercat. I wonder if anyone has experience using ethercat with nxp ; how should i config the project or pin to use ethercat with KSZ9131...

Thanks a lot

Re: S32k388 ethercat config

PavelL — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:32:46 GMT

Hello @vinmotion ,

It seems that S32K388 might not be the best choice for EtherCAT, because EtherCAT typically requires a dedicated EtherCAT Slave Controller (ESC) - this is a hardware block that handles on-the-fly frame processing and distributed clocks. S32K388 does not have an integrated ESC, so implementing EtherCAT would require an external controller or a software stack with strict timing constraints.

EtherCAT is generally a domain of the i.MX family, and NXP provides solutions with integrated ESC. For example, the i.MX RT1180 includes a built-in EtherCAT two-port slave controller, making it much easier to implement EtherCAT without additional hardware.

Please check this application note related to i.MX RT1180 and EtherCAT:

https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/application-note/AN14155.pdf

Best regards,

Pavel

Re: S32k388 ethercat config

vinmotion — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 01:48:15 GMT

Thank you Sir, so i cannot use above design for s32k388 work as ethercat master to control ethercat motor ..?

Re: S32k388 ethercat config

PavelL — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 07:27:42 GMT

Hello @vinmotion ,

I reviewed EtherCAT once again, and even though S32K388 does not have integrated EtherCAT Slave Controller (ESC), it features two GMAC interfaces with TSN/AVB support and sufficient processing power to run an EtherCAT software stack.

Please verify S32K388 & EtherCAT compatibility with your EtherCAT stack provider to ensure proper integration and timing requirements.

Best regards,

Pavel