Control and data transmission devices and adapter modules supporting different communication protocols

Abstract

The invention relates to a control and data transmission device (100) for supporting different communication protocols. The control and data transmission device comprises a control device (20, 120) in which a plurality of different communication protocols can be stored. The control device (20) is designed to load and execute at least one stored communication protocol. A first adapter module (30) which can be connected to the control device (20, 120) is also provided. The first adapter module (30, 160) comprises an identification device (31, 31') and a communication interface (33) for connecting at least one first device (40) to the first adapter module (30), wherein the identification device enables identification of a first communication protocol relative to the control device (20, 120), wherein the first device is designed to communicate according to the stored communication protocol. The control and evaluation device (23) is designed to identify the first communication protocol to be used by means of the identification device (31, 31') when the first adapter module (30) is connected to the control device (20), and to load and execute the identified first communication protocol from the storage device (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control and data transmission device for supporting different communication protocols and an adapter module for use in such a control and data transmission device. Background Art

[0002] In particular, in the field of automation technology, different bus systems requiring different communication protocols or bus protocols are always connected to the control device. A known solution is to develop a special control device for each bus system, which can however only communicate with this special bus system.

[0003] EP 0 391 157 A2 discloses a device for connecting a processing unit to a bus via an adaptable interface module. The interface module comprises a microprocessor, a bus interface for connecting to the bus, and a host interface for connecting to the processing unit. A program is provided for operating the microprocessor, which enables data exchange between the bus and the interface module and the processing unit. The interface module can be implemented as a pluggable unit.

[0004] US2008 / 0013569A1 discloses a universal controller, which makes data communication between external electronic devices possible by using a communication protocol selected from a plurality of communication protocols. The universal controller has a bus converter, which can exchange data with a first connectable device. In addition, a field interface is provided, which can have a plurality of input / output ports, and at least one second external device can be connected to these ports. A protocol firmware module is connected to the field interface, and the protocol firmware module has a plurality of protocol drivers, which correspond to different communication protocols respectively. In response to data received from a first device, the bus converter specifies a desired communication protocol from a plurality of communication protocols, so that the protocol firmware module can use the protocol driver corresponding to the desired communication protocol to establish data communication between the first device and the second device. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a control and data transmission device and an adapter module for such a control and data transmission device, by means of which a control device can communicate with different bus systems in a flexible, simple and cost-effective manner.

[0006] The above-mentioned technical problem is solved on the one hand by the features of claim 1 .

[0007] Therefore, a control and data transmission device for supporting different communication protocols is provided. The control and data transmission device has a control device, which has the following features: a storage device, in which at least a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol can be stored, wherein the first and second communication protocols are different; a control and evaluation unit, which is designed to execute the communication protocol stored in the storage device, and has at least one first connector with a plurality of selectable electrical contacts.

[0008] It should be noted here that the control and evaluation unit can be, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or a CPU and / or a microcontroller and / or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The storage device can be, for example, a non-volatile memory. Preferably, the control and data transmission device has only one single control device.

[0009] Furthermore, it should be noted that the selectable electrical contacts of the at least one first connector are preferably selectable or activatable depending on a communication protocol executed by the control device.

[0010] In addition, the control and data transmission device includes a first adapter module that can be connected to the control device and has the following features: a second connector with multiple electrical contacts, wherein the second connector is designed to electrically and mechanically engage with at least one first connector; an identification device, which is capable of identifying a first communication protocol, in particular relative to the control device; a communication interface, which is used to connect at least one first device designed to communicate according to the first communication protocol to the first adapter module via a first bus system using the first communication protocol.

[0011] Preferably, the first adapter module may further include means for performing signal level conversion according to the first communication protocol.

[0012] It should be noted that the communication interface can have a plug connector to which the first bus system and thus the first device can be connected. The first device is preferably an electronic device, in particular a fieldbus device. Such a fieldbus device can be, for example, a sensor, an actuator, a bus coupler or a bus gateway.

[0013] The control and evaluation unit of the control device is designed to identify the first communication protocol to be used by means of an identification device when a first adapter module is connected to the control device, and to load and execute the identified first communication protocol from a storage device, so that communication between at least one first device connected to the first adapter module and the control device can be carried out according to the first communication protocol.

[0014] It should be noted that more than two communication protocols may be stored in the storage device, wherein all stored communication protocols are different.

[0015] The communication protocols preferably correspond to control programs that can be stored in the storage device, respectively. The first communication protocol can be, for example, an Interbus communication protocol, and the second communication protocol can be, for example, an AXIO bus protocol.

[0016] It is also noted that the at least one first connector can be a predetermined, for example standardized, electrical connector, for example an AXIO plug connector. When a plurality of first connectors are implemented in the control device, preferably these first connectors are always the same predetermined electrical connectors.

[0017] According to an advantageous development, a third communication protocol can be stored in the storage device of the control device, which is different from the first and second communication protocols. The third communication protocol can be, for example, a CAN bus protocol. In addition, a second adapter module can be provided, which can be connected to the control device and has the following features: a third connector with a plurality of electrical contacts, which is designed to be electrically and mechanically engaged with a further first connector of the control device; an identification device, which in particular enables the third communication protocol to be identified by the control device; a communication interface, which is used to connect at least one second device designed to communicate according to the second communication protocol to the second adapter module via a second bus system, and optionally has a device for signal conversion according to the third communication protocol.

[0018] The control and evaluation unit of the control device is also designed to identify the third communication protocol to be used by means of the identification device of the second adapter module when the second adapter module is connected to the control device, and load and execute the identified third communication protocol from the storage device, so that communication between at least one second device connected to the second adapter module and the control device can be carried out according to the third communication protocol.

[0019] It should be noted here that the adapter module and the control device are designed as separate components.

[0020] According to a favorable improvement, the control and evaluation unit of the control device is designed to select corresponding electrical contacts of the first connector in response to an identified first communication protocol, and / or to select corresponding electrical contacts of another first connector in response to an identified third communication protocol, i.e. to provide for data communication.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the identification device of the first adapter module has a storage device in which an identification of the first communication protocol is stored. In this case, the control and evaluation device is designed to read the storage device of the identification device when the first adapter module is connected to the control device. Additionally or alternatively, the identification device of the second adapter module can have a storage device in which an identification of the third communication protocol is stored. In this case, the control and evaluation device is designed to read the storage device of the identification device of the second adapter module when the second adapter module is connected to the control device.

[0022] The identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the third communication protocol can each be displayed, for example, by a type plate of a device connectable to the corresponding adapter module.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, according to an advantageous embodiment, the identification device of the first adapter module can have an electronic circuit, in particular a microcontroller, an FPGA or an ASIC component, in which the identification of the first communication protocol is stored. In this case, the control and evaluation device is designed to request the electronic circuit of the first adapter module to transmit the identification of the first communication protocol to the control device when the first adapter module is connected to the control device, or the microcontroller of the first adapter module is designed to cause the identification of the first communication protocol to be transmitted to the control device when the first adapter module is connected to the control device.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the identification device of the second adapter module can also have an electronic circuit, in particular a microcontroller, FPGAS or ASIC component, in which the identification of the third communication protocol is stored. In this case, the control and evaluation device is also designed to request the electronic circuit of the second adapter module to transmit the identification of the third communication protocol to the control device when the second adapter module is connected to the control device, or the electronic circuit of the second adapter module is designed to cause the identification of the third communication protocol to be transmitted to the control device when the second adapter module is connected to the control device.

[0025] Preferably, the aforementioned storage device is an integral part of a corresponding electronic circuit.

[0026] Alternatively, the identification means of the first adapter module and / or the identification means of the second adapter module can be implemented as passive means, by means of which, for example, certain electrical contacts of the second connector and / or certain electrical contacts of the third connector are bridged or short-circuited.

[0027] Of course, the control device may have exactly one first connector or also more than two first connectors, so that more than two adapter modules each supporting a different communication protocol may also be connected to the control device simultaneously if necessary.

[0028] In order to be able to execute a plurality of different communication protocols or to connect a plurality of different bus systems to the control device, preferably simultaneously, the first adapter module may also have a further communication interface for connecting at least one device designed for communication according to a fourth communication protocol to the first adapter module via a third bus system, and optionally, a further device for signal level conversion according to the fourth communication protocol. The identification device of the first adapter module then additionally enables identification of the fourth communication protocol, in particular by the control device.

[0029] In this case, the control and evaluation device is designed to identify a fourth communication protocol to be used by means of an identification device when the first adapter module is connected to the control device, and to load and execute the identified fourth communication protocol from a storage device, so that communication between at least one second device connected to the first adapter module and the control device can be carried out according to the fourth communication protocol.

[0030] This exemplary embodiment is particularly advantageous when the control device has only a single first connector.

[0031] It should be noted that the control means are advantageously designed such that communication according to the first communication protocol and communication according to the fourth communication protocol can take place simultaneously.

[0032] According to a preferred design, the control and evaluation device is constructed to select a first group of electrical contacts from the electrical contacts of the first connector in response to an identified first communication protocol, and to select a second group of electrical contacts from the electrical contacts of the first connector in response to an identified fourth communication protocol, wherein the first group and the second group respectively include different contacts.

[0033] According to another advantageous embodiment, the identification device of the first adapter module can have a storage device in which the identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the fourth communication protocol are stored. In this case, when the first adapter module is connected to the control device, the control and evaluation device of the control device is designed to read the storage device.

[0034] According to another advantageous embodiment, the identification device of the first adapter module can have an electronic circuit, in particular a microcontroller, an FPGA or an ASIC, in which the identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the fourth communication protocol are stored. In this case, the control and evaluation device can be designed to require the electronic circuit to transmit the identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the fourth communication protocol to the control device when the first adapter module is connected to the control device. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic circuit can be designed to itself cause the transmission of the identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the fourth communication protocol to the control device when the first adapter module is connected to the control device.

[0035] According to an advantageous improvement, the control and evaluation device can be constructed to identify whether a bus system applying the second communication protocol is directly connected to at least one first connector, wherein when it is identified that the bus system applying the second communication protocol is connected to at least one first connector, the control and evaluation device executes the second communication protocol.

[0036] According to a preferred design scheme, the control and data transmission device may include a third adapter module, which can be connected to the control device and has a connector, an identification device and a communication interface, the connector having a plurality of electrical contacts, which are designed to be electrically and mechanically engaged with at least one first connector, the identification device being capable of identifying a fifth communication protocol that can be stored in the third adapter module, the communication interface being used to connect at least one device designed to communicate according to the fifth communication protocol to the third adapter module via a fifth bus system, wherein the control and evaluation device is designed to identify the fifth communication protocol to be used by means of the identification device when the third adapter module is connected to the control device, and to execute the identified fifth communication protocol stored in the third adapter module, so that communication according to the fifth communication protocol can be carried out between at least one device connected to the third adapter module and the control device.

[0037] For example, the third adapter module may include means for performing signal level conversion according to a fifth communication protocol.

[0038] A simple and cost-effective solution provides that the identification device of the first adapter module preferably has at least one electrical line which short-circuits at least two predetermined electrical contacts and / or the identification device of the second adapter module preferably has at least one electrical line which short-circuits at least two predetermined electrical contacts. The control and evaluation device can advantageously be designed to detect the short-circuited electrical contacts and to identify the communication protocol to be used on the basis of the short-circuited electrical contacts. In other words: the control and evaluation device is designed to detect that at least one bus system or another device is connected via the respective adapter module, which uses a predetermined communication protocol, for example the first or second communication protocol, for data communication.

[0039] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by the features of claim 15 .

[0040] According to the claims, an adapter module for use in a control and data transmission device is provided. The adapter module comprises a connector with a plurality of electrical contacts, which connector is designed to electrically and mechanically engage with a complementary connector of a control device. In addition, the adapter module has identification means, which enable a first communication protocol to be identified by the connectable control device. The adapter module also has a communication interface for communicating with at least one device connectable to the adapter module, the device being designed for communication according to the first communication protocol and optionally having means for signal level conversion according to the first communication protocol.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment, the identification device has a memory device in which an identification of the first communication protocol is stored.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the identification device has an electronic circuit; in particular a microcontroller, an FPGA or an ASIC, in which an identification of the first communication protocol is stored, wherein the electronic circuit is designed to transmit the identification to the control device when the adapter module is connected to the control device.

[0043] According to an advantageous development, the identification device is designed to enable the second communication protocol to be identified, in particular by the external control device. In addition, the adapter module has a further communication interface for communicating with at least one device connectable to the first adapter module, the device being designed for communication according to the second communication protocol and optionally having a further device for signal level conversion according to the second communication protocol.

[0044] The storage device of the identification apparatus may also store an identification of the second communication protocol.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the electronic circuit may store an identification of the first communication protocol and an identification of the second communication protocol. The electronic circuit is designed to transmit these identifications to the control device when the adapter module is connected to the control device.

[0046] The above technical problem is also solved by the features of claim 21. Accordingly, an adapter module for use in a control and data transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is provided. The adapter has the following features:

[0047] a connector having a plurality of electrical contacts designed to electrically and mechanically engage a connector of a control device;

[0048] identification means which enable identification of the communication protocol stored in the adapter module by the connectable control means; and

[0049] A communication interface is used to connect at least one device designed for communicating according to a communication protocol stored in the adapter module to the adapter module via the bus system.

[0050] Optionally, the adapter module may have means for signal level conversion according to a stored communication protocol.

[0051] A simple and cost-effective solution provides that the identification device of the adapter module has at least one electrical line which short-circuits at least two predetermined electrical contacts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The present invention is described in detail below with the help of multiple embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 An exemplary control and data transmission device according to the invention is shown, which has a single control device and a connectable adapter module,

[0054] Figure 2 Another adapter module is shown, which can be connected to Figure 1 or Figure 3 The control device shown in

[0055] Figure 3 A further exemplary control and data transmission device according to the invention is shown, which has a control device and an adapter module connectable thereto,

[0056] Figure 4 Another exemplary adapter module according to the present invention is shown, which can be connected to Figure 1 or Figure 3 The controls shown, and

[0057] Figure 5 shows that you can connect directly to Figure 1 or Figure 3 An exemplary bus system for a control device is shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Figure 1 An exemplary control and data transmission device 100 is shown, which may be installed, for example, in an automation environment, in particular in an industrial automation device.

[0059] The control and data transmission device 100 preferably has a single control device 20, an adapter module or a plurality of adapter modules, for example an adapter module 30 and / or Figure 2The adapter module 90 shown in FIG. Figure 3 The adapter module 160 shown in FIG. Figure 4 The adapter module 220 shown in FIG. 2 can preferably be connected to the control device 20 in a detachable manner. Furthermore, the bus system 200 and the fieldbus users 210 can also be connected to the control device 20 directly, ie without an adapter module.

[0060] The adapter module 30 is used to realize data communication between the control device 20 and at least one device 40 via a first bus system 50 using a first communication protocol KP1. The device 40 is preferably an electronic fieldbus device that communicates using the first communication protocol KP1, such as a sensor, an actuator, a bus coupler or a bus gateway.

[0061] It has been noted here that other first devices may be connected to the adapter module 30 and thus to the control device 20 via the bus 50. The device 40 and possible other devices have in common that they communicate with the control device 20 using the first communication protocol KP1.

[0062] The control device 20 comprises a storage device 22, in which at least two different communication protocols KP1 to KPn can be stored, namely at least one first communication protocol and at least one second communication protocol. In addition, the control device 20 has a control and evaluation device 23, which can be implemented, for example, as an FPGA and / or a CPU and / or an ASIC and / or a microcontroller. The control and evaluation device 23 is designed to execute the communication protocols KP1 to KPn stored in the storage device 22. The communication protocols are preferably stored in the form of digital control programs in the storage device 22 and implemented, for example, by means of corresponding protocol drivers, which can be implemented in the control and evaluation device 23. It has already been mentioned at this point that only when Figure 5 The second communication protocol is only executed by the control device 20 when the bus system 200 shown by way of example in FIG is directly connected to the control device 20, i.e. without using an adapter module. Although only one device 210 is connected to the bus system 200, it goes without saying that a plurality of devices, in particular fieldbus users, can also be connected to the bus system 200, which all communicate using the second communication protocol.

[0063] The control device 20 also includes at least one first connector having a plurality of selectable electrical contacts. In this example, a plurality of first connectors may be implemented, wherein for ease of description, Figure 1 Only two first connectors 24 are shown. 1 and 24 n At this point it should be noted that the first connector 24 1 to 24 nPreferably, these may be connectors that are identical in structure and function and are designed, for example, as AXIO plug-in connectors.

[0064] In the example shown, the two first connectors 24 1 and 24 n are constructed as socket connectors, each having k electrical contacts 1 1 To 10 1 or 1 n Up to 10 n , where k is, for example, 10. Of course, the connector can also be constructed as a plug connector. Figure 1 As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the first connector 24 1 and the first connector 24 n All electrical contacts of are connected to the control and evaluation device 23. There is also an electrical connection between the memory 22 and the control and evaluation device 23.

[0065] The first adapter module 30 connectable to the control device 20 includes a second connector 34 having a plurality of electrical contacts 70 to 79, wherein the second connector 34 is configured to be coupled to the first connector 24. 1 or another first connector 24 n The second connector 34 is designed to be complementary to the first connector and therefore also has k, in this case ten, electrical contacts 70 to 79, which are designed as latch contacts in this case so that they can be connected to the first connector 24. 1 or another first connector 24 n electrical socket contacts.

[0066] An identification device 31 is implemented in the first adapter module 30, the implementation of which is particularly capable of identifying the first communication protocol KP1 by the control device 20. In the present example, the identification device 31 has a storage device in which an identification of the first communication protocol KP1 is stored. The storage device 31 is electrically connected to the plug contacts 70 and 71 of the second connector 34, for example. The first adapter module 30 also has a communication interface 33 for communicating with at least one first device 40 that can be connected to the first adapter module 30, the first device 40 being configured to communicate according to the first communication protocol KP1. The communication interface 33 has an electrical connector to which the device 40 can be connected, for example, via a bus 50. According to the first communication protocol KP1, the communication interface 33 has, for example, four ports that can be connected to the electrical plug contacts 72, 73, 74 and 75 of the second connector, for example by fixed wiring. For this purpose, for example, electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 and 66 are used, as in Figure 1In addition, according to an embodiment, the first adapter module 30 may have a device 32 for performing signal level conversion according to the first communication protocol. For example, in the level conversion device 32, a signal with a defined voltage level arriving at the communication interface 33 is converted to a voltage value of 3.3 volts in order to adapt the control device 20. In the opposite direction, the signal from the control device is converted by the level conversion device to a signal level defined for the communication interface 33 and determined by the first communication protocol.

[0067] The control and evaluation device 23 is designed to, when the first adapter module 30 is connected to the control device 20, identify the first communication protocol KP1 to be used with the aid of the identification device 31, and load and execute the identified first communication protocol KP1 from the storage device 22, so that communication between at least one first device 40 connected to the first adapter module 30 and the control device 20 can be carried out according to the first communication protocol.

[0068] For completeness, it should be noted that Figure 1 In the embodiment, the control device 20 and the adapter module 30 are shown in a separated state. For electrical and mechanical coupling, the second connector 34 of the adapter module 30 is inserted into the two first connectors 24 1 or 24 n One of them.

[0069] In order to enable communication between the control device 20 and another bus system via the third communication protocol, the Figure 2 Adapter module 90 is shown in FIG.

[0070] Similar to the first adapter module 30, the second adapter module 90 includes a third connector 94 having a plurality of electrical contacts 80 to 89, wherein the third electrical connector 94 is designed to be connected to the first connector 24 of the control device 20. 1 to 24 n Similar to the second connector 34 of the adapter module 30, the third connector 94 of the adapter module 90 may include ten latch contacts 80 to 89 that can be guided to the first connector 24. 1 or 24 n The second adapter module 90 also has an identification device 93, which enables the third communication protocol KPn to be identified, in particular, by the control device 20. Figure 2As shown, the identification device 93 can further include a storage device, which is electrically connected to the two plug contacts 80 and 81 of the third connector 94. The identification of the third communication protocol KPn is stored in the storage device of the identification device 93. In addition, a communication interface 91 is implemented in the second adapter module 90, which is configured to communicate with at least one second device 41 that can be connected to the second adapter module 90 via the bus system 51, and the second device 41 is configured to communicate according to the third communication protocol KPn. The device 41 is preferably an electronic field bus device. The communication interface 91 can also include an electrical connector, and the second device 41 can be connected to the electrical connector via the bus system 51. The bus 51 and the device 41 use the third communication protocol KPn. The second adapter module 90 can, but does not have to, have a device 92 for level conversion according to the third communication protocol KPn. For example, in the level conversion device 92, a signal with a defined voltage level arriving at the communication interface 91 is converted into a voltage value of, for example, 3.3 volts, so as to match the control device 20. In the reverse direction, the signal from the control device is converted by the level conversion device 91 to a signal level defined for the communication interface 33 and determined by the third communication protocol.

[0071] According to the third communication protocol, the communication interface may also have four terminals or ports, which are electrically connected to the plug contacts 86 , 87 , 88 and 89 of the third connector 94 via connecting lines or conductor paths according to the second communication protocol.

[0072] The control and evaluation device 23 of the control device 20 is designed to identify the third communication protocol KPn to be used by means of the identification device 93 of the second adapter module 90 when the second adapter module 90 is connected to the control device 20, and to load and execute the identified third communication protocol from the storage device 22, so that communication between the at least one second device 41 connected to the second adapter module 90 and the control device 20 can take place according to the third communication protocol. It should be noted that data communication between the control device 20 and the devices 40 and 41 can take place simultaneously.

[0073] The following is elaborated in detail Figure 1 The working mode of an exemplary control and data transmission device 100 for supporting different communication protocols is shown in FIG.

[0074] Assume that the first adapter module 30 is connected to the first connector 24 via the second connector 34 1 Electrically and mechanically connected to the control device 20. The control and evaluation device 23 is designed or programmed to connect via a predetermined contact, here the first connector 24 1 Two socket contacts 1 1 and 2 1, and thus reads out the identification of the first communication protocol KP1 stored in the storage device of the identification device 31 of the first adapter module 30 via the plug contacts 70 and 71 of the second connector 34. In response to the read identification of the first communication protocol, the control and evaluation device 23 identifies the first communication protocol KP1 and loads the first communication protocol stored in the storage device 22 for execution in the control and evaluation device 23. In addition, the control and evaluation device 23 is designed to select the first connector 24 in response to the identified first communication protocol KP1. 1 In the present example, this means that the control and evaluation device 23 selects the first connector 24 1 Electrical contacts 3 1 , 4 1 , 5 1 and 6 1 The communication between the control device 20 and the apparatus 40 is established and controlled via the plug contacts 72 to 75 of the second connector and the communication interface 33 of the adapter module 30 by using the first communication protocol.

[0075] It is further assumed that the second adapter module 90 is also electrically and mechanically connected to the control device 20 via the third connector 94 and the first connector 24n. The control and evaluation device 23 is designed or programmed to connect the first connector 24n to the control device 20 via a predetermined contact point, in this case the first connector 24n. n Two socket contacts 1 n and 2 n , and thus reads out the identification of the third communication protocol KPn stored in the storage device of the identification device 93 of the second adapter module 90 through the plug contacts 80 and 81 of the third connector 94. In response to the read identification of the third communication protocol, the control and evaluation device 23 identifies the third communication protocol KPn and loads the third communication protocol stored in the storage device 22 for execution in the control and evaluation device 23. In addition, the control and evaluation device 23 is designed to select the first connector 24 in response to the identified third communication protocol KPn n In the present example, this means that the control and evaluation device 23 selects the first connector 24 n Electrical contacts 7 n , 8 n , 9 n and l0 n The communication between the control device 20 and the apparatus 41 is established and controlled via the latch contacts 86 to 89 of the third connector 94 and the communication interface 91 of the adapter module 90 using the third communication protocol.

[0076] As already mentioned, more than two different bus systems can be connected to the control device 20 via corresponding adapter modules. It should also be noted here that the communication according to the first and third communication protocols can be carried out between the control device 20 and the two devices 40 and 41 in a master-slave operation, wherein the control device 20 is respectively used as a master device and the two devices 40 and 41 are used as slave devices.

[0077] In addition, it should be noted that Figure 5 The bus system 200 or the device 210 shown in FIG. 2 can be connected directly, that is to say without an adapter module, to the first connector 24. 1 to 24 n The bus system 200 uses the second communication protocol. In this case, the control and evaluation device 23 of the control device 20 recognizes that the bus system 200 is directly connected, wherein the control and evaluation device 23 then communicates between the control device 20 and the bus system 200 via the second communication protocol assigned to the bus system 200. The bus system 200 can be, for example, an AXIO bus system, wherein the relevant AXIO communication protocol is then used, which is stored in the control device 20 as the second communication protocol.

[0078] It should be noted that the identification device of the adapter module, for example the adapter module 30, 90 or 160, can alternatively be designed in the form of an electrical conductor, with which predetermined electrical contacts can be short-circuited. This can be referred to as pin coding. That is, instead of a memory-based solution, at least two electrical contacts, for example Figure 2 The electrical contacts 80 and 81 of the connector 94 of the adapter module 90 in the embodiment of the present invention, which are designed as plug contacts, can be short-circuited by means of an electrical connection or line 93'. The electrical line 93' is Figure 2 In the figure, the dashed line is shown. Figure 1, in which the electrical contacts 70 and 71 designed as latch contacts are short-circuited by means of an electrical conductor 31 ′. The control and evaluation device 23 is then designed to detect the short-circuited latch contacts 80 and 81, that is to say to identify the associated pin coding and, based thereon, to identify the communication protocol to be used. In other words: the control and evaluation device 23 can infer from the detected short circuit that a bus system or device 41 is connected via an adapter module 90, which uses a predetermined communication protocol, for example, the first communication protocol KP1 for data communication. In a similar manner, the control and evaluation device 23 is designed to detect the short-circuited latch contacts 70 and 71, that is to say to identify the associated pin coding and, based thereon, to identify the communication protocol to be used. In other words: the control and evaluation device 23 can infer from the detected short circuit that a bus system or device 40 is connected via an adapter module 30, which uses a predetermined communication protocol, for example, the first communication protocol KP1 for data communication.

[0079] For an adapter module, such as adapter module 30 or 90, at least one further communication interface (only in Figure 3 In the case of an additional communication interface (an additional communication interface is shown in FIG. 1 ), a bus system or a device that communicates using the second communication protocol can be connected to the additional communication interface, and the identification device can have an additional electrical conductor (not shown). According to this solution, for example, at least two additional electrical contacts of the connector 94 of the adapter module 90, for example the electrical contacts 83 and 84 that are configured as plug contacts, can be short-circuited by means of an additional electrical conductor. The control and evaluation device 23 is then designed to also detect the short circuit of the plug contacts 83 and 84 and to identify the second communication protocol to be used based on this. In other words: the control and evaluation device 23 can infer from the detected short circuit that another bus system or another device, for example, that uses the second communication protocol KP2 for data communication is connected via the adapter module 90.

[0080] Figure 1 The advantage of the control and data transmission device 100 shown in is that the control device 20 can communicate simply and quickly with different bus systems via different communication protocols, preferably even simultaneously.

[0081] Figure 3 Another exemplary control and data transmission device 110 supporting different communication protocols is shown. This device 110 can again also be installed in an automation environment.

[0082] The control and data transmission device 110 preferably has a single control device 120, in which preferably only a single first connector 124 is implemented. In addition, a memory device 122 is implemented in the control device 120, in which a plurality of different communication protocols KP1 to KPn Preferably, at least two, but in this example three different communication protocols are stored in the storage device 122, namely a first, a second and a third communication protocol, wherein the first and the third communication protocols are executed when using the adapter module and the second communication protocol is executed when using the adapter module. Figure 5 The bus system 200 shown in FIG. 1 is directly connected to the control device 120 .

[0083] Furthermore, the control device 120 has a control and evaluation device 123 connected to the storage device 122 and the connector 124. The control and evaluation device 123 is designed, for example, as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and / or a CPU, and / or a microcontroller, and / or as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The first connector 124 of the control device 120 has, for example, ten electrical contacts 130 to 139, which can be designed, for example, as socket contacts. The control and evaluation device 123 is designed to execute the communication protocol stored in the storage device 122. For example, the adapter module 30, the adapter module 90, Figure 3 The adapter module 160 shown in Figure 4 The adapter module 220 shown in the figure can be connected to the control device 120. It should be noted that the control and evaluation device 123 can be designed as an FPGA and / or a CPU and / or an ASIC, for example. The adapter module 160 includes a connector 166, which can be designed to be complementary to the connector 124 of the control device 120. In the embodiment described, the connector 166 of the adapter module 160 has ten plug contacts 170 to 179, which can be inserted into the respective socket contacts 130 to 139 of the connector 124. The adapter module 160 also includes an identification device 161, which enables at least one communication protocol to be identified relative to the control device 120. The identification device 161 can have a storage device 167 or an electronic circuit, for example, with an integrated storage device 167, similar to the identification devices 31 and 93 of the adapter module 30 or 90. The electronic circuit is designed as a microcontroller in the present embodiment. However, it can also be designed as an FPGA or an ASIC. Alternatively, the microcontroller can access a separate storage device. A plurality of identifications, each identification representing a different communication protocol, may be stored in the storage device 167. The identification device 161 can be connected to two predetermined latch contacts, here latch contacts 170 and 171 of the adapter module 160, via two electrical conductors, for example.

[0084] Furthermore, the adapter module 160 has at least one communication interface 163 for communicating with at least one first device 140 connectable to the adapter module 160. 1 communication, the first device 140 1The device 140 is designed to communicate according to the first communication protocol KP1. In addition, at least one device 162 for level conversion according to the first communication protocol is preferably provided, which is assigned to the first communication interface 163. The first communication interface 163 has an electrical connector, and the device 140 1 The device 140 may be connected to the electrical connector via the bus system 190. 1 The first communication protocol KP1 is used for communication with the bus system 190. The first communication interface 163 comprises, for example, four ports connected to predetermined electrical plug contacts of the connector 166, in this example electrical plug contacts 172, 173, 174 and 175, via wires or conductor circuits.

[0085] In order to enable the control device 120, which preferably has only the connector 124, to still be able to communicate with a plurality of different bus systems, for example also simultaneously, each of which uses a different communication protocol, the adapter module 160 can have at least one further communication interface 165, which has an electrical connector, the device 150 1 The device 150 can be connected to the electrical connector, for example via the bus system 191. 1 and bus system 191 via the third communication protocol KP n In this case, in addition to the first identifier for identifying the first communication protocol, at least one additional identifier for identifying a third communication protocol is stored in the storage device 167. Figure 3 As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , in addition to the device 140 on the bus system 190 1 You can also connect other devices l40 n , all other devices apply the first communication protocol KP1. In a similar manner, in addition to the device 150 on the other bus system 191 1 In addition, you can also connect other devices l50 n All these devices use the second communication protocol KP n Devices 140 and 150 may in turn be electronic devices, for example sensors, bus couplers, bus gateways and / or actuators.

[0086] The second communication interface 165 can also have four ports, which are fixedly connected or wired to the electrical contact pins 176, 177, 178 and 179 of the connector 166 via the electrical connections shown. In addition, the adapter module 160 in this case has a second communication protocol KP n Another device 164 performs signal level conversion. The level conversion devices 162 and 164 have the same task as the level converters 32 and 92. However, it should be noted that the first communication interface 163 and the second communication interface 165 may comprise a different number of ports.

[0087] In other words: Figure 3 As shown, the port of the communication interface 163 is connected to the first group of electrical plug contacts 172-175 of the connector 166, while the port of the communication interface 165 is connected to the second group of electrical plug contacts 176-179 of the connector 166, wherein the electrical contacts of the corresponding groups do not include common contacts. If the connector 166 still has free electrical contacts, more than two communication interfaces in the adapter module 160 can also be connected to the free electrical contacts of the connector 166 in a corresponding manner, so that communication can be realized between the control device 120 and more than two different bus systems respectively.

[0088] It is also noted that the microcontroller 161 can be designed to recognize whether the communication interfaces 163 and 165 are turned on.

[0089] The following is elaborated in detail Figure 3 The operating mode of the control and data transmission device 110 is shown in FIG.

[0090] Assume that device 140 1 connected to the communication interface 163 and the device 150 1 Connected to the communication interface 165 , the adapter module 160 is electrically and mechanically coupled to the control device 120 .

[0091] The control and evaluation device 123 is now able to detect the electrical coupling between the control device 120 and the adapter module 160 and is also designed to detect the communication protocol to be used by means of the identification device 161 .

[0092] To this end, according to an advantageous embodiment, the control and evaluation device 123 is informed by the identification device 161, which is designed as a microcontroller, via the contacts 130, 131, 170 and 171 that the communication interfaces 163 and 165 are connected to the bus system 190 or 191, respectively. In response to this information, the control and evaluation device 123 then requests the identification device 161 to transmit the stored identifications of the two communication protocols KP1 and KPn assigned to the two communication interfaces 163 and 165. Alternatively, the identification device 161, which is designed as a microcontroller, can also itself cause the two identifications of the communication protocols KP1 and KPn to be transmitted to the control device 120.

[0093] In response to the two received identifiers, the control and evaluation device recognizes the first communication protocol KP1 and the third communication protocol KP n The control and evaluation device 123 is further configured to select the first set of electrical contacts 132, 133, 134 and 135 of the connector 124 in response to the identified first communication protocol KP1 and to select the first set of electrical contacts 132, 133, 134 and 135 of the connector 124 in response to the identified third communication protocol KP nThe second set of electrical contacts 136, 137, 138 and 139 are selected from the electrical contacts of the connector 124, wherein the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts each comprise different electrical contacts, i.e. comprise no common contacts. Furthermore, the control and evaluation device 123 is designed to load and execute the identified first communication protocol KP1 and the identified third communication protocol KP2 from the storage device 122. n , so that at least one device 140 connected to the adapter module 160 can be respectively connected to the adapter module 160 according to the first communication protocol KP1 1 and preferably can communicate simultaneously according to the third communication protocol KP n At least one device 150 connected to the adapter module 160 1 Another communication takes place between them.

[0094] As already mentioned, it is also possible to connect the device 40 to the control device 120 via the adapter module 30 or to connect the device 41 via the adapter module 90. In this case, similar to the method described above with respect to the adapter module 160, when the adapter module 30 is connected to the control device 120, only the one identification stored in the identification device 31 is transmitted to the control and evaluation device 123. In response to the received identification, only the first communication protocol KP1 is also loaded into the control and evaluation device 123 and executed by it. Therefore, only the first communication protocol KP1 is also used for the communication between the control device 120 and the device 140 via the adapter module 30. 1 Communicate between them.

[0095] If an adapter module 90 is connected to the control device 120 instead of the adapter module 30 , the above method is performed in a similar manner, so that the control device 120 can now communicate with the apparatus 41 via the adapter module 90 using the third communication protocol.

[0096] As is the case with the control device 20, the second communication protocol is also stored in the control device 120 and is loaded and executed by the control and evaluation device 123 when, for example, the bus system 200 to which the second communication protocol is applied is connected directly to the electrical connector 124, i.e. without the intermediate connection of an adapter module.

[0097] In this case, the control device 120 automatically performs communication with the bus system 200 and the device 210 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

[0098] In other words: both control device 20 and control device 120 can check, in particular when the operating system is started, whether the bus system is connected via an adapter module or whether bus system 200 t is connected directly, ie without the intermediary of an adapter module.

[0099] Figure 4 A further exemplary adapter module 220 is shown, which differs from the adapter modules 30, 90 and 160 in particular in that a fourth communication protocol different from the first, second and third communication protocols is stored in the adapter module 220, so that a bus system 280 or a device 270 connected to the bus system 280 and using the fourth communication protocol can communicate with the control device 20 or the control device 120. A plurality of devices can be connected to the bus system 280, which are in particular designed as fieldbus users. The adapter module 220 can also be electrically and mechanically coupled to the connector 24 of the control device 20. 1 to 24 n One or connector 124 of the control device 120.

[0100] To this end, the adapter module 220 includes a connector 230, which can be designed to be connected to the connector 124 of the control device 120 or to the connector 24 of the control device 20. 1 to 24 n In the exemplary embodiment described, the connector 230 of the adapter module 220 includes ten plug contacts 240 to 249, which can be inserted into corresponding socket contacts 130 to 139 of the connector 124 or the connector 24 of the control device 20. 1 to 24 n . The adapter module 220 further includes an identification device 250, which enables the fourth communication protocol to be identified relative to the control device 120. The identification device 250 can have a storage device 251 or an electronic circuit, for example, integrated with the storage device 251, similar to the identification devices 31, 93 and 161 of the adapter modules 30, 90 or 160. The electronic circuit is preferably constructed as a microcontroller. However, it can also be implemented as an FPGA or ASIC. Alternatively, the microcontroller can access a separate storage device. In addition to the identification of the fourth communication protocol, the fourth communication protocol itself is also stored in the storage device 251. However, the fourth communication protocol is neither stored in the control device 20 nor in the control device 120. The identification device 250 can be connected to two predetermined plug contacts of the adapter module 220, here the plug contacts 240 and 241, for example, via two electrical conductors.

[0101] In addition, the adapter module 220 has at least one communication interface 260 for communicating with a bus system 280 and a device 270 connected thereto, the bus system and the device being configured for communication according to a fourth communication protocol. In addition, preferably, at least one device 290 for level conversion according to a fourth communication protocol is provided, which is assigned to the communication interface 260. The communication interface 260 comprises an electrical connector to which the device 270 can be connected via the bus system 280. For example, the communication interface 260 has two ports, which are connected to predetermined electrical plug contacts of the connector 230 via wires or conductor circuits, in this example to the electrical plug contacts 242 and 243.

[0102] It is also noted that the microcontroller of the recognition device 250 may be configured to recognize whether the communication interface 260 is switched on.

[0103] It is now assumed that the bus system 280 has been connected to the control device 20 via the adapter module 220 , for example.

[0104] In a first step, under the control of the control and evaluation device 23 of the control device 20 or under the control of the microcontroller of the adapter module 220, the identification stored in the storage device 251 can be transmitted to the control device 20. The control and evaluation device 23 is designed to determine, by means of the identification device 250, i.e. based on the received identification, that the relevant fourth communication protocol is not stored in the control device 20, but is stored in the adapter module 220. In response to the evaluated identification, the control and evaluation device 23 can now execute the fourth communication protocol so that the communication between the at least one device 270 connected to the adapter module 220 and the control device 20 can take place according to the fourth communication protocol. For this purpose, the control device 20 can access the fourth communication protocol stored in the adapter module 220, or the adapter module 220 is designed such that the fourth communication protocol is transmitted to the control device 20, for example via the contacts 240 and 241 of the connector 230. The fourth communication protocol can then be stored temporarily or also for a longer period of time in the storage device 22. Longer means that the fourth communication protocol remains stored in the memory device 22 even when the adapter module 220 has been disconnected from the control device 20 again.

[0105] The control device 120 may be designed similarly to the control device 20 so that when the adapter module 220 is connected to the connector 124 of the control device, communication with the device 270 connected to the bus system 280 is achieved via the fourth communication protocol stored in the adapter module 220 .

[0106] According to an advantageous embodiment, the two control devices can each have an internal energy supply source, for example, a respective storage battery or battery. It is also conceivable that the two control devices each have a supply connection for connecting an external energy supply source, for example, if a storage battery is present, the storage battery can be charged via this external energy supply source. The adapter module can be fed via the corresponding control device. For this purpose, the adapter module and the control device can have corresponding interfaces. It is also conceivable that the adapter modules each have an internal energy supply source, for example, a storage battery or battery. It is also conceivable that the adapter modules each have a supply connection for connecting an external energy supply source, via which, for example, the storage battery (if present) can be charged.

Claims

1. An adapter module (160) for use in a control and data transmission device (100; 110) having A connector (166) with a plurality of electrical contacts (170-179) designed to be coupled to a complementary connector (24, 24) of a control device (20; 120) n ; 124) electrically and mechanically joined, an identification device (161) for identifying the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol via a control device (20; 120) that can be connected, a communication interface (163) for connecting at least one first device (1401) designed to communicate according to a first communication protocol to the adapter module (160) via a first bus system (190), and A further communication interface (165) for connecting at least one second device (1501) to the adapter module (160) via a second bus system (191), the device being adapted to communicate according to the second communication protocol.

2. The adapter module (160) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The identification device (161) has a storage device (167) in which the identifier of the first communication protocol and the identifier of the second communication protocol are stored.

3. The adapter module (30, 90, 160) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The identification device (161) has an electronic circuit in which the identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the second communication protocol are stored, and the electronic circuit is designed to transmit the identification to the control device (20; 120) when the adapter module (160) is connected to the control device (20; 120).

4. The adapter module (30, 90, 160) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The electronic circuit is a microcontroller, FPGA or ASIC.

5. The adapter module (160) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that Means (162) for performing signal level conversion according to said first communication protocol and further means (164) for performing signal level conversion according to said second communication protocol.

6. The adapter module according to claim 1, characterized in that The identification device (161) has at least one electrical conductor for short-circuiting at least two predetermined electrical contacts (170, 171; 180, 181).

7. A control and data transmission device (100; 110) for supporting different communication protocols, the control and data transmission device comprising: - a control device (20; 120) having A first storage device (22; 122), in the first storage device, at least a first communication protocol, a fourth communication protocol and a second communication protocol can be stored, wherein the first communication protocol, the fourth communication protocol and the second communication protocol are different, a control and evaluation device (23; 123) which is designed to implement a communication protocol stored in the first memory device (22; 122), and At least one first connector (241, 24 n ; 124), which has a plurality of selectable electrical contacts (11-101, 1 n -10 n ; 130-139), and - a first adapter module (160) connectable to the control device (20; 120) according to claim 1, comprising A second connector (166) having a plurality of electrical contacts (170-179), the second connector being designed to be coupled to the at least one first connector (241, 24 n ; 124) electrically and mechanically joined, an identification device (161), the identification device realizing identification of the first communication protocol and the fourth communication protocol, a communication interface (163) for connecting at least one first device (1401) designed for communication according to the first communication protocol to the first adapter module (160) via a first bus system (190), and a further communication interface (165) for connecting at least one second device (1501) designed for communication according to the fourth communication protocol to the first adapter module (160) via a second bus system (191); The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to identify the first and fourth communication protocols to be used by means of an identification device (161) when the first adapter module (160) is connected to the control device (20, 120), and load and execute the identified first and fourth communication protocols from the first storage device (22; 122), so that communication between at least one first device (1401) connected to the first adapter module (160) and the control device (20; 120) can be carried out according to the first communication protocol, and further communication between at least one second device (1501) connected to the first adapter module (160) and the control device (20; 120) can be carried out according to the fourth communication protocol.

8. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to select a first group of electrical contacts (132-135) from the electrical contacts of a first connector (124) in response to an identified first communication protocol and to select a second group of electrical contacts (136-139) from the electrical contacts of the first connector (124) in response to an identified fourth communication protocol, wherein the first group and the second group respectively contain different electrical contacts.

9. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The identification device (161) has a second storage device (167) in which an identification of the first communication protocol and an identification of the fourth communication protocol are stored, and the control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to read the second storage device (167) when the first adapter module (160) is connected to the control device (20; 120).

10. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that The identification device (161) has an electronic circuit in which an identifier of the first communication protocol and an identifier of the fourth communication protocol are stored, and The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to require the electronic circuit to transmit the identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the fourth communication protocol to the control device (20; 120) when the first adapter module (160) is connected to the control device (20; 120), or the electronic circuit is designed to cause the identification of the first communication protocol and the identification of the fourth communication protocol to be transmitted to the control device (20; 120) when the first adapter module (160) is connected to the control device (20; 120).

11. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The electronic circuit is a microcontroller, FPGA or ASIC.

12. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7 or 8, It is characterized in that The identification device (161) of the first adapter module (160) has at least one electrical conductor which short-circuits at least two predetermined electrical contacts (180, 181). in The control and evaluation device (23, 123) is designed to detect short-circuited electrical contacts (180, 181) and to identify the communication protocol to be used based on this.

13. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that A third communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, the fourth communication protocol and the second communication protocol can be stored in the first storage device (22; 122), wherein A second adapter module (90) is provided which can be connected to the control device (20), and the second adapter module has: A third connector (94) with a plurality of electrical contacts (80-89) is designed to be connected to another first connector (24) of the control device (20; 120) n ) electrically and mechanically joined; Identification means (93) for realizing identification of a third communication protocol, and a communication interface (91) for connecting at least one third device (41) to the second adapter module (90) via a third bus system (51), the third device (41) being configured to communicate according to the third communication protocol, wherein The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to, when the second adapter module (90) is connected to the control device (20; 120), identify a third communication protocol to be used with the aid of the identification device (93) of the second adapter module (90), and load and execute the identified third communication protocol from the first storage device (22; 122), thereby performing communication between at least one third device (41) connected to the second adapter module (90) and the control device (20; 120) according to the third communication protocol.

14. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 13, characterized in that The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to select the further first connector (24) in response to the identified third communication protocol n )'s corresponding electrical contacts.

15. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The identification device (93) of the second adapter module (90) has a third storage device in which an identification of a third communication protocol is stored, and The control and evaluation device (23, 123) is designed to read a third memory device of the identification device (93) of the second adapter module (90) when the second adapter module (90) is connected to the control device (20; 120).

16. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The identification device (93) of the second adapter module (90) comprises an electronic circuit in which an identification of a third communication protocol is stored. The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to request the electronic circuit of the second adapter module (90) to transmit the identification of the third communication protocol to the control device (20; 120) when the second adapter module (90) is connected to the control device (20; 120), or the electronic circuit of the second adapter module (90) is designed to cause the identification of the third communication protocol to be transmitted to the control device (20; 120) when the second adapter module (90) is connected to the control device (20; 120).

17. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The identification device (93) of the second adapter module (90) has at least one electrical conductor (31') which short-circuits at least two predetermined electrical contacts (80, 81), wherein The control and evaluation device (23, 123) is designed to detect short-circuited electrical contacts (80, 81) and to identify the communication protocol to be used based on this.

18. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The first adapter module (160) has means (164) for performing signal level conversion according to the fourth communication protocol.

19. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to detect whether a bus system (200) using a second communication protocol is directly connected to the at least one first connector (24; 24 n 124), wherein when the bus system (200) using the second communication protocol is connected to the at least one first connector (24, 24 n ; 124), the control and evaluation device (23; 123) executes a second communication protocol.

20. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The first adapter module (160) has means (32; 162) for signal level conversion according to a first communication protocol.

21. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to claim 13, characterized in that The second adapter module (90) has means (92) for performing signal level conversion in accordance with a third communication protocol.

22. The control and data transmission device (100; 110) according to any one of claims 13 to 21, characterized in that a third adapter module (220) connectable to the control device (20; 120), the third adapter module having: A connector (230) with a plurality of electrical contacts (240-249) is designed to be connected to at least one first connector (241, 24 n ; 124) electrically and mechanically engaged; identification means (250) capable of identifying a fifth communication protocol, the fifth communication protocol being capable of being stored in the third adapter module (220), and a communication interface (260) for connecting at least one device (270) to the third adapter module (220) via a fifth bus system (280), the device (270) being configured to communicate according to a fifth communication protocol, The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to identify a fifth communication protocol to be used with the aid of the identification device (250) when the third adapter module (220) is connected to the control device (20; 120), and execute the identified fifth communication protocol stored in the adapter module (220), so that communication between the at least one device (270) connected to the third adapter module (30; 160) and the control device (20; 120) can be carried out according to the fifth communication protocol.

23. A control and data transmission device (100; 110) for supporting different communication protocols, the control and data transmission device comprising: - a control device (20; 120) having a storage device (22; 122) in which at least a first communication protocol, a second communication protocol and a third communication protocol can be stored, wherein the first communication protocol, the second communication protocol and the third communication protocol are different, a control and evaluation device (23; 123) designed to implement a communication protocol stored in the memory device (22; 122), and At least one first connector (241, 24 n ; 124), which has a plurality of selectable electrical contacts (11-101, 1 n -10 n ; 130-139), and - a first adapter module (30; 160) connectable to the control device (20; 120) and having A second connector (34; 166) having a plurality of electrical contacts (70-79, 170-179), the second connector being designed to be connected to the at least one first connector (241, 24 n ; 124) electrically and mechanically joined, an identification device (31, 161), the identification device realizing the identification of the first communication protocol, A communication interface (33; 163) for connecting at least one first device (40; 1401) designed to communicate according to a first communication protocol to a first adapter module (30; 160) via a first bus system (50; 190), wherein A second adapter module (90) is provided which is connectable to the control device (20; 120), and the second adapter module has: A third connector (94) with a plurality of electrical contacts (80-89) is designed to be connected to another first connector (24) of the control device (20). n ) electrically and mechanically joined; a second identification device (93) which realizes the identification of a third communication protocol, and a communication interface (91) for connecting at least one second device (41) to the second adapter module (90) via a second bus system, the second device (41) being configured to communicate according to the third communication protocol, wherein The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to identify a first communication protocol to be used by means of the identification device (31; 161) when the first adapter module (30; 160) is connected to the control device (20; 120), and to load and execute the identified first communication protocol from the storage device (22; 122), so that communication between at least one first device (40; 1401) connected to the first adapter module (30; 160) and the control device (20; 120) is performed according to the first communication protocol, and The control and evaluation device (23; 123) is designed to, when the second adapter module (90) is connected to the control device (20; 120), identify a third communication protocol to be used with the aid of the identification device (93) of the second adapter module (90), and load and execute the identified third communication protocol from the storage device (22; 122), thereby performing communication between at least one second device (41) connected to the second adapter module (90) and the control device (20; 120) according to the third communication protocol.

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