The digital communication interface IO-Link has developed into a globally open I/O technology standardised according to IEC 61131-9 for communicating between sensors and control level. The acronym "USE", which is often used for this purpose, stands for "Universal", "Smart", "Easy", “Universal” means that IO-Link can be integrated universally with all fieldbus systems and any system environment. “Smart” stands for a consistent and intelligent communication solution down to the process level. “Easy” illustrates that with IO-Link installation, commissioning, parameterisation and diagnostics for the operation and maintenance of a plant are extremely simple. In addition, the IO-Link interface is characterised by a very high level of operational reliability.
The first pyrometers with the modern IO-Link interface were those of the CellaTemp PK series, which were introduced to the market by KELLER ITS 6 years ago. In the course of modernising the CellaTemp PK pyrometers, the complete electronics were redesigned and, on the basis of a modern and powerful microprocessor, the interface was upgraded to version 1.1.3 and the COM3 transmission standard.
The new version 1.1.3, which will be mandatory for all newly developed IO-Link devices from 01.01.2024, offers functional enhancements such as communication via gateways and protocols such as OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture). The open and Ethernet-based communication standard offers ideal conditions for digitalisation and thus for communication between machines and web servers up to the cloud enabling real-time communication at field level between OPC UA and PROFINET in a common industrial Ethernet network.
With IO-Link version 1.1.3, system stability has been improved by clearly defining the behaviour of the devices in the event of a master lockdown for saving parameters or deleting data. An additional back-to-box reset command resets the unit to the delivery state.
The COM3 transmission standard has a data transmission rate of 230.4 kBaud with a typical cycle time of only 0.4 ms. This means that the new device generation of the CellaTemp PK series communicates 6 times faster than the previous pyrometers with the COM2 transmission mode. Thanks to the possibility of dynamic parameter, adaptation of the sensor during operation, the greatest possible flexibility and safety is offered. With the customised information it can be achieved a cloud-based, efficient and predictive machine maintenance in real time.