IO-Link basics
EPI4xxx, ERI4xxx
14
Version: 1.6
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IO-Link basics
IO-Link is a communication system for connecting intelligent sensors and actuators to an automation system.
The IEC 61131-9 standard specifies IO-Link under the designation "Single-drop digital communication
interface for small sensors and actuators" (SDCI).
Both the electrical connection data and the communication protocol are standardized and summarized in the
3.1
IO-Link system layout
An IO-Link system consists of an IO-Link master and one or more IO-Link devices, i.e. sensors or actuators.
The IO-Link master provides the interface to the higher-level controller and controls communication with the
connected IO-Link devices.
The IO-Link masters from Beckhoff have several IO-Link ports, to each of which one IO-Link device can be
connected. IO-Link is not a fieldbus, but rather a point-to-point connection.