Intelligent IO-Link interfaces in process automation

Industry 4.0 and innovative machine solutions in automation technology are currently a topic of wide-ranging discussions. Basics, explanations and industrial applications were already presented in a featured article in the edition 02/2016 of ewi – elektrowärme international. A prerequisite for integrated networking, full transparency and end-to-end communication of the plant systems down to the lowest field device level are intelligent sensors. Irrespective of the field bus used and not tied to particular manufacturers, the IO-Link interface constitutes a new communication approach for a consistent connection of sensors and actuators to the control level via a simple and economic point-to-point connection. The following report gives an insight into the technology and application of the IO-Link interface.