IO-Link, what's it all about?

IO-Link is the 1^st fully digital standardised communication protocol (IEC61131-9) between sensors/actuators and the monitoring/control system (PLC, supervision, DCS control system).

This bidirectional communication protocol allows dialogue between the master IO-LINK and smart sensors/actuators integrating the standardised IO-LINK interface, but can also be used to dialogue with any conventional digital 24VDC sensor/actuator.

The IO-Link Community currently consists of many leading manufacturers which have already integrated IO-Link intelligence into their components (IFM, BURKERT, ENDRESS HAUSER, KIESELMANN and many others)

© IO-Link COLLECTIF FRANCE

The IO-Link communication system offers numerous advantages

• A communication system between the master and the sensors/actuators independent of the monitoring/control system.
• IO-Link hardware and wiring is the same regardless of the monitoring/control system used.
• All actuators/sensors can be tested without a monitoring/control system.
• For commissioning and maintenance, reading, configuration, saving of the parameters of all sensors from a single connection point.
• Simplified electrical studies.
• Simplified wiring which costs less than a conventional solution owing to the use of field modules similar to the sensors/actuators and through connections with cables that no longer require shielding.
• Digital feedback of measurements directly as process values (bar, temperature, etc.) and not in 4 - 20ma which is then converted (no loss due to conversion). The measurement is thus displayed the same between the sensor and the monitoring system.
• The parameter settings of all the sensors can be saved with a maintenance console or in the master IO-Link or in the PLC.
• Automatic reloading of a sensor's parameter settings in the event of replacement.
• A sensor's parameter setting can be modified (e.g. sensitivity of a level sensor) in a process phase using a write command from the monitoring/control system (PLC or other).
• Diagnostic information of each sensor may be processed by the monitoring/control system (for example, in the event of a cut wire).

This IO-Link communication protocol, which is already in high demand by our customers, will undoubtedly be a mandatory part of the factory of the future.

Pierre Guerin has already implemented 2 installations using this system.