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The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a multi-disciplinary research facility based on what will be the world's most powerful-pulsed neutron source. The Integrated Control System Division (ICS) is responsible of defining and providing control systems for the ESS facility. This control system will be based on the EPICS and it must be high performance, cost-efficient, safe, reliable and easily maintainable. At the same time there is a strong need for standardization. To fulfill these requirements ICS has chosen different hardware platforms, like MicroTCA, PLC, EtherCAT, etc. EtherCAT, a Ethernet-based real-time fieldbus will be analyzed, and different questions will be answered: -Why has EtherCAT been chosen? -In which cases is it deployed? -How is it integrated into EPICS? -What is the installation process? Along with data acquisition purposes, the ESS Motion Control and Automation Group decided to use EtherCAT hardware to develop an Open Source EtherCAT Master Motion Controller, for the control of all the actuators of the accelerator within the ESS project. Hence, an overview of the open Source Motion Controller and its integration in EPICS will be also presented.
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