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[00:03:27] <PCW> Someone had a similar trouble with HM2 stepgen, looked like feedback was lost (same as your plot) but randomly along a move
[00:03:29] <PCW> I wonder if this is related to the empty base thread causing trouble with pncconf HM2 stepgen configs
[00:29:25] <voxadam> I noticed an EtherCAT component on the wiki. Is there any reason that it's never been merged into EMC's repository?
[00:29:35] <voxadam> Is it deficient?
[00:29:39] <cradek> url?
[00:29:46] <voxadam> http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?ContributedComponents#EtherCAT_Digital_I_O
[00:35:58] <cradek> I don't see any problem at first glance (for instance, license) so the reason it hasn't been merged is it must not have come with a cheerleader/maintainer who wants to convince us of its utility and help take care of it
[00:36:00] <jepler> I remember looking at the source and having a few concerns. For instance, spin_lock() is a linux kernel API and I don't know that it is permitted to call it in the context of a realtime function. if the lock is held by a linux kernel thread and a blocking lock is performed in a realtime thread, the system will hard lock.
[00:37:22] <cradek> forgive my guess if there were actual technical reasons
[00:43:50] <jepler> > The EtherCAT technology is patent protected, in particular by the following patent applications and
[00:43:54] <jepler> patents: DE10304637, DE102004044764, DE102005009224, and DE102007017835 with the
[00:43:57] <jepler> corresponding applications and registrations in various other countries.
[00:45:57] <jepler> so there's this potential problem too. The library that component is based around, ethercat master, has a cryptic statement on their web page: "The license above [GPLv2] concerns the source code only. Using the EtherCAT technology and brand is only permitted in compliance with the industrial property and similar rights of Beckhoff Automation GmbH."
[00:48:44] <voxadam> That's strange. I'm not exactly sure what it means.
[00:55:27] <jepler> in 2008, these folks decided they couldn't comply with the LGPL and the ethercat master license:
https://lists.berlios.de/pipermail/ethercatmaster-users/2008-November/000375.html
[01:05:57] <skunkworks> woo whoooo. (surfin at the hotel)
[01:07:20] <cradek> cool, where are you?
[01:07:31] <cradek> we're at microtel
[01:09:06] <skunkworks> holiday inn near the university.
[01:09:12] <skunkworks> I think
[01:09:33] <skunkworks> yep. holiday in
[01:09:34] <skunkworks> inn
[01:09:59] <jepler> on plymouth road?
[01:10:03] <skunkworks> yes
[01:10:10] <jepler> we're right by there
[01:10:15] <jepler> want to stop by?
[01:10:22] <skunkworks> oh - is the microtell right donw the road.
[01:10:26] <jepler> yes
[01:10:28] <cradek> we're on the south side of plymouth
[01:10:29] <skunkworks> wow - I am a slow typer
[01:11:15] <skunkworks> what room?
[01:12:51] <cradek> 118
[01:14:23] <cradek> through the lobby and turn right
[01:20:03] <jepler> aha, here's breakfast:
http://www.allmenus.com/mi/ann-arbor/246962-northside-grill/menu/breakfast/ (I was sold when I got down to Top Your Omelet with Chili (Vegetarian or House)')
[01:20:41] <jepler> it's not exactly on the way to workshop though