In this paper, the real-time EtherCAT technology is introduced in detail, which including operating principle, communication protocol and the superiority performance of EtherCAT i.e. synchronicity, simultaneousness and high speed. To show how to design a slave system that considering the characteristics of application, the method of developing systems based no EtherCAT technology are proposed. Finally, a data acquisition system based on EtherCAT technology is designed. Application of EtherCAT technology can improve the real-time characteristics of data communication in wind power system.