Facility for connecting field device to control system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for connecting field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn) to a control system (400), comprising: a control interface (108) for establishing a data connection to the control system (400), in particular via a data bus (410), for example by means of an Ethernet connection; an at least tripolar field device connection (104) for establishing a connection with the field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn) for data and power transmission, for example via an IO-Link network; a microprocessor (102); a physical layer (116), in particular a physical IO-Link layer "IO-Link PHY", for grounded communication signals; and a further physical layer (114) for a non-grounded communication signal, in particular an SPE layer "SPE PHY". The field device connection (104) is designed in such a way that the field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn) can be connected for grounded communication signals and for non-grounded communication signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for connecting a field device to a control system. The present invention also relates to a plug connector for connecting to a field device connection end of the device of the above type, and a kit (complete set of parts) consisting of an IO-Link plug socket and a plug connector. The present invention also relates to a method for operating a device for connecting a field device to a control system. Background Art

[0002] In the technical field of PTP data transmission (Point-to-Point Connection), the transmission of grounded communication signals (such as IO-Link in industrial automation) is an important technical standard that defines the communication between central control components and sensors and actuators.

[0003] For example, a three-pole cable is used as the physical interface, which has two cores for the voltage supply and one core for data transmission or communication. IO-Link interfaces, in particular also plugs and sockets for sensors and actuators, are standardized, see IEC 61131-9.

[0004] With the new development of non-grounded, purely differential communication signal transmission, such as transmission via Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) with, for example, IEEE standards (IEEE802.3bw, IEEE 802.3cg or IEEE 802.3bp), this provides an equally simple physical interface that is suitable for sensors and actuators and enables high data transmission rates while providing direct access to the higher protocol layers of Ethernet without the need for a gateway (IO-Link master).

[0005] In particular, the Advanced Physical Layer (APL) and Power over Data Line (PoDL) can be used to transmit SPE on the same two wires that supply voltage to the field devices. Field devices can also be referred to as "devices" and include, for example, sensors and / or actuators. In the case of APL, a dedicated single-pair Ethernet is provided, which is based on 10BASE-T1L (according to IEEE 802.3cg) with additional provisions for the process industry. Ethernet APL communication is based on 10Mbit / s full-duplex communication, which is transmitted by means of twisted pair cables.

[0006] At present, equipment operators must decide on one of the above operating modes for the corresponding smart sensors and actuators. In particular, for example, the advantages of SPE components cannot be introduced into the existing IO-Link environment, and vice versa, depending on the specific situation. In addition, suppliers of smart sensors and actuators must have all variants in stock. This is very costly and economically disadvantageous.

[0007] A functional element with a dual function is known from DE 10 2021 118 268 B3. The functional element can be connected to an IO-Link network or to a network with SPE. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an improved device with which field devices can be connected to a control system. It should be possible to use not only field devices designed for the use of ungrounded communication signals, such as Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), but also field devices designed for the use of grounded communication signals, such as IO-Link.

[0009] This object is achieved by means of an arrangement and a method having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the respectively associated dependent claims.

[0010] The facility enables the functional elements or field devices to be connected to a control system and to interact or communicate with the control system. The control system may include, for example, a data bus or a bus network, for example for automating, controlling and regulating sensors and functional components.

[0011] The facility for connecting the field device to the superior control system includes a control interface for establishing a data connection with the control system, in particular via a data bus, for example, by means of an Ethernet connection. The facility also includes at least three-pole field device connection terminals, for example, for establishing a connection with the field device via an IO-Link network for data transmission and power transmission. The facility also includes a microprocessor. The facility includes a physical layer for grounded communication signals, in particular a physical IO-Link layer (hereinafter referred to as "PHY IO-Link"), and includes another physical layer for non-grounded communication signals, in particular an SPE layer (hereinafter referred to as "PHY SPE"). Here, the field device connection terminal is designed so that the field device can be connected for grounded communication signals and for non-grounded communication signals.

[0012] This means that the field device connector is configured, for example, to be able to connect both conventional IO devices which transmit data via grounded communication signals and other devices in which data transmission takes place via non-grounded communication signals (eg by means of SPE).

[0013] The installation is designed in particular as an IO master, which is connected to a higher-level control system, for example, via a data bus and can be connected to one or more devices by means of IO-Link. In this case, both "conventional" IO-Link with grounded communication signals and "modernized" IO-Link with ungrounded communication signals (hereinafter also referred to as "IO-Link via Ethernet") can be used on the same IO master. In this case, in particular IO devices for different types of communication signals can be connected to the same field device connection.

[0014] The installation may also comprise a power input for supplying electrical power. On the other hand, the installation itself may supply electrical power by means of Power over Data Line (PoDL).

[0015] The arrangement is in particular configured for connecting field devices including actuators and / or sensor heads. In particular, so-called "intelligent sensors" and / or "intelligent actuators" may be provided. In this context, "intelligent sensors" may be understood to be sensors which, in addition to measuring variables, can also read out setting parameters, diagnostic data and authentication data, for example.

[0016] In this case, the field device comprises, in particular, at least a three-pole connector socket for connection to the installation and for data-conducting communication and power supply of the field device via the IO-Link network.

[0017] Thus, for example, a device is provided which, in automation technology according to the IO-Link standard, allows the connection of sensors and actuators using a combination of different physical layers. This makes it possible, for example, to operate IO-Link sensors and actuators with different physical communication layers on a common IO master (e.g. conventional IO-Link and "modernized" IO-Link, such as so-called "IO-Link via Ethernet"). The IO master port supports two or more physical communication modes, in particular conventional IO-Link and IO-Link via Ethernet.

[0018] When the conventional IO-Link protocol is extended with an additional physical layer, in particular Single Pair Ethernet SPE (IEEE_802.3cg_2019), the conventionally specified communication methods are ported to the SPE physical layer in a manner compatible with IO-Link. This makes it possible, for example, to work with larger data volumes that can be transmitted more quickly over longer lines.

[0019] Now, the facilities allow two physical layers to be provided in one device, so that users no longer have to choose between two types of masters, either communicating with traditional IO-Link field devices or communicating with field devices via SPE and supplying electrical power to field devices. Therefore, users can also work in mixed operation and gradually migrate to the new IO-Link connection. Here, on the same IO-Link port, especially using M12 sockets or M8 sockets, both field devices using traditional IO-Link and field devices using SPE can be connected and operated. So the same facilities can be used to connect field devices and IO-Link networks to data buses, especially field buses such as Profinet, Ethernet / IP or Modbus / TCP.

[0020] A configuration is provided for communicating and powering field devices by means of grounded communication signals, such as IO-Link or an IO-Link network. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the term "IO-Link" or "IO-Link network" is used, which generally refers to the grounded exchange of communication signals, especially for point-to-point signal / data exchange.

[0021] Furthermore, configurations are provided in which a further physical layer is used in which the communication signals are exchanged in an ungrounded manner; the communication signals are in particular purely differential communication signals. For this purpose, in particular a physical SPE layer (PHY SPE) is provided. In contrast to the grounded exchange of the communication signals described above by means of PHY IO-Link, in the ungrounded exchange of the communication signals there is no earth reference, since only two wires / lines are provided and the signal is derived from the differential voltage of these two lines. In the following, the terms "SPE", "PHY SPE" and the like are used for the sake of simplicity when referring to the ungrounded exchange of the communication signals and the associated components.

[0022] Here, for example, an SPE solution with 10BASE-T1L is provided. However, other solutions are also possible, such as with 100 Mbit / s or with an external voltage supply, such as PoDL Class 11 / 12 or APL.

[0023] There are various configurations to ensure that an installation, in particular as an IO master, can be used both with grounded and with ungrounded communication signals:

[0024] In one option, a switch may be provided in the installation in order to change between using different types of communication signals. In particular, PoDL is not provided here.

[0025] In one embodiment of the device, a switching element is provided between a physical layer for grounded communication signals and another physical layer for ungrounded communication signals. The device is configured to actuate the switching element as a function of received configuration signals and / or a plug connector for a field device connection and / or received communication data and / or a power supply type of the field device, so that the switching element is switched either to the physical layer for grounded communication signals or to the physical layer for ungrounded communication signals, so that a data connection to the field device can be established via the corresponding physical layer.

[0026] In this case, the switching element can be designed, for example, as an electronic switch, an analog switch or a semiconductor switch which has, for example, at least one field effect transistor and / or a bipolar transistor.

[0027] This change can be automatically performed by identifying the type of connected field device and determining the appropriate operating mode of the installation. Alternatively or additionally, the change can be performed according to a configuration by the user, who sets which connected field device should and can be used and which type of connection method to use on the installation.

[0028] In particular, the plug socket and in particular the associated line paths are also designed for connection to a single-pair Ethernet (SPE). For example, the switching elements between the physical layers are switched depending on the respective plug connector introduced into the plug socket and therefore also on the respective communication data and / or power supply type / characterization received.

[0029] In this case, the switching element in particular produces a conductive circuit with the physical IO-Link layer or the physical SPE layer.

[0030] Advantageously, the switching element is connected directly to a microprocessor via a line, wherein the microprocessor, in addition to controlling the operation of the actuator or sensor head, also controls the function of the switching element as a function of an inserted plug connector and / or received communication data or the type of power supply, in particular the applied voltage, as described above.

[0031] In another embodiment, the switching element is directly connected to the microprocessor via a line, wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the function of the switching element as a function of a received configuration signal and / or a used plug connector and / or received communication data and / or a power supply type of the field device.

[0032] An advantageous embodiment provides that the microprocessor is connected via a line directly to the pins of the connector socket, in particular to exactly one of the two communication pins. The circuit can thus be placed in an initial position or neutral position suitable for receiving a basic voltage (supply), as in the case of SPE, and switch to the appropriate level when an IO-Link connector is detected, without causing damage to the components or excessive voltage loads.

[0033] In a further development, the device is configured to supply electrical power to the field device via a first pair of wires and to establish a data connection via a second pair of wires. The field device connection is configured in particular to supply electrical power to the field device via two pins (P1, P3). The field device connection is configured in particular to switch the other two pins (P2, P4) to C / Q for grounded communication signals and optionally to have a function such as DI / DO, or to switch to DL+ and DL- for non-grounded communication signals.

[0034] For example, it is proposed that 10BASE-T1L with independent voltage supply (i.e. without PoDL) is used for ungrounded communication signals. This results in a "hybrid solution" for both types of data transmission. Thus, for example, two independent core pairs are used to supply data and energy to field devices. For example, pins 1 and 3 known from conventional IO-Link masters are used not only to power conventional IO-Link devices, but also to power IO-Link devices via Ethernet. Now, pins 4 and 2 must either be used as C / Q for conventional IO-Link connections and have an optional DI / DO function, or the pins must be switched to DL+ and DL- for IO-Link or SPE via Ethernet.

[0035] As a further option, it can be provided that a 10BASE-T1L and a PoDL class 11 / 12 power supply are used.

[0036] In one embodiment, the device is configured to supply electrical power to the field device via a first pair of conductors, in particular via two pins (P1, P3). In this case, in particular for non-grounded communication signals, the device is configured to also establish a data connection via the first pair of conductors, in particular via two pins (P1, P3). In this case, the device is configured in particular for establishing a data connection via a further conductor, in particular via a further pin (P4), for grounded communication signals, wherein the further pin (P4) is in particular switchable to C / Q.

[0037] For example, in this case, the IO-Link device only uses one core pair to supply energy and communicate. In this case, for example, pins 1 and 3 of a facility designed as a traditional IO-Link master are additionally responsible for communicating with a single pair of Ethernet SPE in addition to the purpose of supplying energy so far. Pin 4 (C / Q) is still reserved for traditional IO-Link. This means that a facility designed as an IO-Link master can either communicate with a traditional IO-Link device in a grounded manner via pin 4. However, the facility can also "talk" or communicate with an IO-Link device designed for SPE via Ethernet in a non-grounded manner via pins 1 and 3, for example, via "IO-Link via Ethernet". In both cases, the supply is carried out via pins 1 and 3, supplying 24V voltage and GND in the case of traditional IO-Link, and supplying PoDL and a switching loop specified for SPE / PoDL in the case of IO-Link via Ethernet.

[0038] It can be proposed that the SPE layer and the IO-Link layer work in parallel and can exchange communication signals on two paths. In particular, two pins can be provided for power transmission and for communication via SPE, for example for APL. For this purpose, the physical layer (PHY SPE) of the SPE is combined with the voltage supply of the data line power supply (PoDL), wherein these two pins can be used as power supply pins for IO-Link devices and can provide the corresponding voltage. Since the data signals transmitted simultaneously by means of IO-Link must have the same earth reference at the transmitting end and the receiving end, the IO-Link data signals are conducted via other (pure) data or communication pins. Other circuits comply with the standard. In this structure, the two protocols may be used in parallel, or only the protocol for which the communication is built (first) is used.

[0039] Communication via IO-Link and SPE can therefore also take place in parallel, so that at least part of the data can be transmitted redundantly and with a high degree of diversity.

[0040] The redundant structure has the advantage that a high level of safety does not have to be achieved for each path, but rather standard components and standard firmware can be used. Safety is achieved only by the redundant structure and the monitoring of the consistency of safety-related data.

[0041] Furthermore, it is also considered to use non-grounded communication such as 100BASE-T1L (100 Mbit / s), IEEE802.3dg, or 10BASE-T1S.

[0042] In another embodiment, provision can also be made to implement non-grounded communication via the APL together with grounded conventional IO-Link communication, similar to the above-described combination.

[0043] In one design, the facility is configured to operate the first core wire pair, in particular two pins (P1, P3), so that in the case of a grounded communication signal, a voltage of 24 V and GND are supplied to the field device, and in the case of a non-grounded communication signal, the field device is supplied with electrical power by means of a data line power supply PoDL, or via a single pair Ethernet / data line power supply SPE / PoDL.

[0044] Thus, the arrangement is particularly configured to supply a voltage to the field device via two pins (P1, P3) and to carry out a non-grounded data transmission via the same two pins (P1, P3) in parallel, in particular via SPE. Furthermore, the arrangement is particularly configured here also to carry out a grounded data transmission via a third pin P4 (in particular a communication pin), in particular by means of an IO-Link connection in parallel with the SPE data transmission. The two types of data transmission are particularly provided simultaneously, for example as redundant parallel data transmission.

[0045] In another embodiment, the microprocessor is directly conductively connected to the pins (P1, P2, P3, P4), in particular to the communication pins (P2, P4), via lines.

[0046] In one development, the field device connection comprises a plug socket which is designed as an IO-LINK plug socket in accordance with the 61131-9 standard, in particular as a three-pole or four-pole plug socket.

[0047] In one design, the field device connection includes a plug socket designed to be connected to a plug connector in a mechanical and conductive manner. Here, the plug socket has at least four pins (P1, P2, P3, P4) that are particularly compliant with the IO-Link standard, including two pins (P2, P4) for data transmission and two pins (P1, P3) for power transmission, in particular for IO-Link connection. Here, the plug socket is also suitable for two-pole connection with an SPE plug connector for a twisted pair cable of a single-pair Ethernet (SPE), wherein the SPE plug connector can be conductively connected to the two pins (P2, P4) for communication. Here, the plug socket can also be connected to the IO-Link plug connector in a form-fitting manner.

[0048] A plug connector for connecting to a field device connection of an installation according to one of the preceding claims, in particular for connecting the installation to a field device via Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), in particular for power transmission via SPE, the plug connector having at least one non-conductive mating element that is shaped to fit with a pin (P2) of the field device connection.

[0049] Thus, the plug connector can be connected to the plug connector in a form-fitting manner even if individual pins of the plug connector socket are not to be electrically conductively connected to the field device, because these pins are not necessary for the SPE connection. Thus, the plug connector can be used for the SPE connection to the field device even if the plug connector socket has additional pins (P1, P3) for the IO-Link connection. This also achieves additional stability.

[0050] The plug connector is particularly designed for the installation described here. Therefore, the plug connector has the same advantages and can be further developed in a similar manner.

[0051] The kit or "complete set of parts" consists of an IO-Link plug socket and a plug connector. The IO-Link plug socket is four-pole and designed according to the IO-Link standard, the IO-Link plug socket has at least one pin (P4) for grounded data transmission and two pins (P1, P3) for power transmission, wherein the plug connector is designed as a two-pole SPE plug connector for single-pair Ethernet (SPE) twisted pair cables, wherein the plug connector can be electrically conductively connected to the two pins (P1, P3) of the IO-Link plug socket for power transmission.

[0052] Here, the plug connector can be connected in a form-fitting manner with the IO-Link plug connector socket in particular. In addition, the plug connector can also be designed to be connected with the IO-Link plug connector socket in a lockable manner.

[0053] The kit is particularly designed for use in the installation described herein. Therefore, the kit has the same advantages and can be further developed in a similar manner.

[0054] A method for operating an installation for connecting a field device to a superordinate control system comprises the following steps:

[0055] - establishing a data connection between the installation and the control system, in particular via a data bus, for example by means of an Ethernet connection;

[0056] - connecting the field device to the installation via a plug connection, which is based on a plug socket of the installation and a plug connector with a cable for data and power transmission between the installation and the field device;

[0057] - Identify the type of communication signal available for the field device, in particular a grounded communication signal as in IO-Link or a non-grounded communication signal as in SPE;

[0058] - depending on the identification, a facility is set up for data transmission using a physical layer for grounded communication signals, for example via an IO-Link network, or for data transmission using a physical layer for ungrounded communication signals, for example via an SPE network.

[0059] The method is designed in particular for operating the installation described here. Therefore, the method has the same advantages and can be further developed in a similar manner.

[0060] In one embodiment of the method, the field device is connected to the installation by means of the above-described set of IO-Link plug socket and plug connector.

[0061] When data is transmitted, for example in the case of PoDL, which can be provided with SPE, this is of particular importance if periodic shutdown is required for safety reasons, since no control and regulation signals are sent at this time. Therefore, a method variant is proposed in which safety-related communication is carried out using the following steps:

[0062] - Communication is established in parallel with IO-Link and SPE protocols,

[0063] -Transfer and compare data in parallel.

[0064] In particular, safety-related data are transmitted cyclically on both protocols and evaluated in a cross comparison. In the event of a discrepancy between these safety-related data, a safe state is initiated, which includes a voltage reduction or a shutdown.

[0065] In particular, the voltage supply can be carried out via two pins, and one or more further pins can optionally be provided purely for the voltage supply. The SPE data transmission is carried out via two of the supply pins, wherein at the same time the IO-Link data transmission and the SPE data transmission are carried out in parallel via further pins (communication pins) which are not supply pins for power transmission.

[0066] In one design of the method, different categories of parallel data transmission can be defined. These categories are especially "standard categories", in which data is transmitted and analyzed at least partially redundantly by means of IO-Link and SPE. Another category can be an "abnormal category", which is particularly used to monitor faults and is selected when a fault occurs (such as a state of voltage and / or current failure), wherein monitoring data and / or safety-related data are only transmitted via an IO-Link connection that can be operated independently of the voltage supply. In addition to the above-mentioned redundancy, in the case of the same voltage supply, it can also be operated via one of the two systems (SPE / IO-Link) as another category. If it is determined that the data does not need to be analyzed for safety, it can be distinguished in advance.

[0067] In a further refinement, it is provided that the abnormal classification is processed in parallel with the standard classification as a clock or frequency with respect to a defined duration and / or frequency.

[0068] In particular, the field device is connected to the installation via a plug-and-plug socket set according to one of the above-described embodiments.

[0069] It is thus possible to control sensors and / or actuators by means of SPE and IO-Link using the same installation, in particular using the same IO-Link master, in that the installation has a plug socket which comprises two data pins for data forwarding and at least two pins for voltage supply (voltage pins). The data pins are either used as DL+ or DL- (data lines + and -) for non-grounded SPE transmission or as communication channels (C / Q, in particular for grounded IO-Link communication) and, in the case of use as IO-Link, as optional additional data channels.

[0070] The installation can autonomously determine whether there is a connection to a field device via SPE or IO-Link / SIO (IO-Link / Standard Inputs and Outputs). The plug socket is designed as a hybrid SPE / IO-Link socket.

[0071] Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail based on the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] In the attached picture:

[0073] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the wiring of a first embodiment of the installation is shown;

[0074] Figure 2 a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the wiring of the installation; and

[0075] Figure 3 A simplified network diagram with a superordinate control system, installations and field devices is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] Reference Figure 1 A wiring diagram of a first embodiment of the installation is illustrated.

[0077] The facility 100 has a power input 106 (“Power In”) for supplying electrical power.

[0078] The installation 100 also has a control interface 108 which can be connected to a higher-level control system, see for example Figure 3 4. A higher-level control system 400 is shown in FIG. In the present exemplary case, the control system is connected to the installation 100, 300 via a data bus 410, which is designed as an Ethernet connection 410 here.

[0079] In order to establish and operate a data-related connection to the data bus 410 by means of Ethernet, a physical layer ETH-PHY 110 is provided in the example of the installation 100 , via which the interface to the data bus 410 is implemented.

[0080] The exemplary installation 100 also includes connections (not shown), in particular connector sockets, for connecting to a data bus 410 by means of a cable. In particular, a standard connector type for Ethernet connection is provided here; alternatively or additionally, a wireless interface can also be provided.

[0081] The installation 100 also has a field device connection, which is illustrated by means of four wires or pins P1 , P2 , P3 , P4 .

[0082] The installation 100 has a control unit 102 which is designed as a microprocessor unit (MPU) and which is designed in particular as an Ethernet switch which is configured for the functions of the installation 100 described.

[0083] The PM module 112 (power management, PM, power management) is connected to the control unit "MPU" 102 and the power supply "power input" 106 via the line 140. Figure 3 The power supply of the field devices F1, F2, F3, Fn (shown in the figure) can be controlled by the PM module 112, which can also be controlled by the control unit MPU 102.

[0084] The connection to one or more field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , Fn can be effected via corresponding field device connections 312 , 322 , 332 , 382 , wherein in particular a wired connection is provided.

[0085] In particular, at least one physical layer “IO-Link Classic PHY” 116 for grounded communication signals and one physical layer “SPE PHY” 114 for ungrounded communication signals are provided for each field device connection 312 , 322 , 332 , 382 or “port” of the installation 100 .

[0086] In particular, it is proposed that the physical layer "SPE PHY" 114 of the ports 312, 322, 332, 382 is connected to the MAC module 124 assigned to the ports 312, 322, 332, 382 respectively via the (R)MII interface 126 (reduced media-independent interface, RMII).

[0087] It is also particularly mentioned that the physical layer “IO-Link Classic PHY” 116 is connected to the UART / SPI module 122 of the control unit MPU 102 via a GPIO interface 128 (General Purpose Input / Output).

[0088] Figure 1 The situation shown in corresponds to the following exemplary embodiment, that is, in this exemplary embodiment, in particular 10BASE-T1L with a separate power supply is implemented, that is, PoDL is not used. In this respect, it is a "hybrid" embodiment to a certain extent.

[0089] In particular, in this example, the installation 100 may be operated as an IO master 100 , and the field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , Fn may be operated as IO-Link devices.

[0090] In this example of the installation 100, the connected field devices F1, F2, F3, Fn are supplied with energy or communication via two core pairs, respectively. In particular, the pins "pin 1" and "pin 3" of the installation 100 are responsible for supplying power to the field devices F1, F2, F3, Fn, regardless of whether a conventional IO-Link device for grounded communication or another IO-Link device for non-grounded communication is used.

[0091] In this exemplary design, "pin 2" and "pin 4" of the pins are used for data transmission. Their control is adapted according to whether the field devices F1, F2, F3, Fn connected to the corresponding ports 312, 322, 332, 382 are configured for grounded communication or for non-grounded communication.

[0092] For adapting the actuation, a switching element 130 is provided which can be switched between a connection to the physical layer “SPEPHY” 114 and a connection to the physical layer “IO-Link Classic PHY” 116 .

[0093] In the case of ground-based communication, for example via IO-Link Classic, "pin 2" and "pin 4" are switched by a switching element 130 in accordance with the applicable standard to act as "C / Q", optionally with a function such as "DI / DO". These pins are then connected to the physical layer "IO-Link-Classic PHY" 116.

[0094] In the case of unconnected communication, for example via SPE or another Ethernet connection, these pins are switched to “DL+” and “DL-” according to the applicable standard by means of a switching element 130 . In particular, a connection to the physical layer “SPEPHY” 114 is switched here.

[0095] Reference Figure 2 , a wiring diagram of a second embodiment of the facility 200 is explained. The facility 200 shown here is designed in some parts similar to the above reference Figure 1 The installation 100 according to the first embodiment is explained. Therefore, functionally and / or structurally similar elements are provided with similar reference numerals and will not be described in detail below.

[0096] In a second embodiment, further options are also implemented, where for example Ethernet-based communication can be carried out via 10BASE-T1L with power transmission via "PoDL Class 11 / 12" or similar standards for transmitting electrical power via the same lines as for data transmission and simultaneously for data transmission.

[0097] In the illustrated installation 200, which is also used as an IO-Link master 200, no conversion as implemented in the first exemplary embodiment described above by means of the switching element 130 is provided. Instead, a core pair for SPE / PoDL can be provided via "pin 1" and "pin 3" and an electrical power supply can also be provided for conventional IO-Link.

[0098] Facilities 200 in principle and according to Figure 1The facility 100 of the first embodiment is constructed similarly. It includes a power input terminal 206 for supplying electrical power ("Power In"), a control interface 208 for connecting to a superior control system 400 via a data bus 410, and a physical layer ETH-PHY 210, via which an interface with the data bus 410 is implemented. The facility 200 of the second embodiment also includes a field device connection terminal, which is shown by means of four cores or pins P1, P2, P3, P4. A control unit MPU 202 is provided, which control unit MPU is particularly designed as an Ethernet switch and is configured for the functions of the facility 200. In addition, a PM module 212 (power management, PM) is connected to the control unit "MPU" 202 and the power supply "power input" 206 via a line 240. For the connected field devices (such as Figure 3 The power supply of the field devices F1, F2, F3, Fn (shown) can be controlled via the PM module 212, which can also be controlled via the control unit MPU 202. At least one physical layer "IO-Link Classic PHY" 216 for grounded communication signals and one physical layer "SPE PHY" 214 for non-grounded communication signals are provided for each field device connection 312, 322, 332, 382 or "port" of the installation 200. In particular, it is proposed that the physical layer "SPE PHY" 214 of the ports 312, 322, 332, 382 is connected to the MAC module 224 assigned to the port 312, 322, 332, 382 via a (R) MII interface 226 (reduced media-independent interface, RMII, simplified media independent interface). The physical layer “IO-Link Classic PHY” 216 is connected to the UART / SPI module 222 of the control unit MPU 202 via a GPIO interface 228 (General Purpose Input / Output).

[0099] Different from the first embodiment, in the installation 200 , for each field device connection terminal 204 , “pin 4” is configured as “C / Q” and is directly connected to the physical layer “IO-Link Classic PHY” 216 .

[0100] In addition, a CDN module 232 is provided for each field device connection part 204, which is connected to "Pin 1" and "Pin 3", through which SPE with PoDL can be provided in the case of non-grounded communication, or power supply can be provided in the case of grounded communication.

[0101] The CDN module is coupled to a PSE controller module 234 and a physical layer "SPE PHY" 214. The PSE controller module 234 is in turn coupled to the power input 206 via line 240.

[0102] In this case, not only electrical power but also communication can be supplied to the connected field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , Fn via the wire pair “pin 1 ” and “pin 3 ”.

[0103] In the case shown, "pin 1" and "pin 3" are controlled in such a way that (in addition to supplying power) communication via them is also possible (groundless) via Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). Thus, SPE with PoDL can be implemented.

[0104] This differs from conventional IO master devices with grounded communication via IO-Link, since these known devices only provide an electrical power supply via pins 1 and 3 .

[0105] In the illustrated embodiment, the pin "pin 4" of "C / Q" is still reserved for conventional IO-Link devices, i.e., for grounded communication. If field devices F1, F2, F3, Fn are connected for use with SPE / PoDL, the pin can be turned off or ignored by the field device, or the connector for connecting the field devices F1, F2, F3, Fn for SPE / PoDL can be designed so that pin 4 is not electrically conductively connected to the field device.

[0106] The IO-Link master 200 of this embodiment can either use "Pin 4" for data transmission to communicate with a traditional IO-Link device, or it can connect to newer, more modern IO-Link devices via Ethernet via SPE via the core wire pair of pins "Pin 1" and "Pin 3" for data exchange and power supply.

[0107] In both cases, the supply of electrical power takes place via "pin 1" and "pin 3"; in the case of conventional IO-Link, 24V and GND are typically used; in the case of PoDL or SPE / PoDL, a switching circuit specified for this is used.

[0108] In the case of conventional IO-Link, the microprocessor unit MPU can bridge the CDN using a switching element to establish the ground reference required for data transmission via “pin 4”; the power supply (Pwr) of the PSE is directly connected to “pin 1” and “pin 3”.

[0109] Reference Figure 3 An example of a network with a superordinate control system, facilities, and field devices is explained.

[0110] Figure 3 This is highly schematic and shows a superordinate control system 400 which is connected to the installation 300 via a data bus 410 .

[0111] An additional electrical power supply for the installation 300 may be provided, but is not shown here.

[0112] In this example, the facility 300 is designed as an IO master and an Ethernet switch 302 .

[0113] The facility has ports 310, 320, 330 and 380, which are coupled to field devices F1, F2, F3 and Fn, respectively.

[0114] The installation 300 is designed in the manner described above and allows, in particular, a connection between a superordinate control system 400 and the field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , Fn by using these as IO-Link devices.

[0115] Field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , Fn configured for ungrounded communication, for example by means of SPE, and field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , Fn configured for grounded communication, for example by means of conventional IO-Link, can be connected to the same installation 300 .

[0116] Furthermore, depending on the design of the installation 300 , an electrical power supply via SPE / PoDL or, in particular in the case of SPE without PoDL, a separate power supply may be provided.

[0117] It is also possible to connect a mixture of different field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , Fn and operate them with the same IO master 302 .

[0118] List of Reference Numerals

[0119] 100 Facilities, IO-Link Master

[0120] 102 Microprocessor, control unit MPU; Ethernet switch

[0121] 104 Field device connection terminal, port

[0122] 106 Power input terminal

[0123] 108 Control interface (Ethernet)

[0124] 110 Physical layer "ETH PHY"

[0125] 112 PM module (power management)

[0126] 114 Physical layer "SPE PHY" (non-grounded)

[0127] 116 Physical layer "IO-Link Classic PHY" (grounded)

[0128] 118 MAC module

[0129] 122 UART or SPI module (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter or Serial Peripheral Interface)

[0130] 124 MAC module

[0131] 126 (R) MII interface [(Simplified) Media Independent Interface]

[0132] 128 GPIO interfaces (general purpose input / output)

[0133] 130 Switching elements

[0134] 140 lines

[0135] Pin 1 Pin

[0136] Pin 2 Pin

[0137] Pin 3 Pin

[0138] Pin 4 Pin

[0139] 200 Facilities, IO-Link Master

[0140] 202 microprocessor; control unit MPU; Ethernet switch

[0141] 204 Field device connection terminal, port

[0142] 206 Power input terminal

[0143] 208 Control interface (Ethernet)

[0144] 210 Physical layer "ETH PHY"

[0145] 212 PM module (power management)

[0146] 214 Physical layer SPE PHY (non-grounded)

[0147] 216 Physical layer IO-Link Classic PHY (grounded)

[0148] 218 MAC module

[0149] 222 UART or SPI module (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter or Serial Peripheral Interface)

[0150] 224 MAC module

[0151] 226 (R) MII interface [(Simplified) Media Independent Interface]

[0152] 228 GPIO interface (general purpose input / output)

[0153] 232 CDN module (coupling / decoupling network)

[0154] 234 PSE controller module (power supply equipment controller)

[0155] 240 lines

[0156] 300 Facilities

[0157] 302 IO Master and Ethernet Switch

[0158] Port 310

[0159] Port 320

[0160] Port 330

[0161] Port 380

[0162] 400 Superior control system

[0163] 410 Data bus, Ethernet connection

[0164] F1 Field Equipment

[0165] F2 Field Devices

[0166] F3 Field Devices

[0167] Fn Field Devices

Claims

1. A facility (100) for connecting a field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn) to a control system (400), the facility (100) comprising: a control interface (108) for establishing a data connection to the control system (400), in particular via a data bus (410), for example by means of an Ethernet connection; At least three-pole field device connection terminals (104) for establishing connection with the field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn) for data and power transmission, for example via an IO-Link network; Microprocessor (102); A physical layer (116) for ground-based communication signals, in particular a physical IO-Link layer "IO-Link PHY"; and A further physical layer (114), in particular an SPE layer "SPE PHY", for ground-free communication signals; in The field device connection (104) is designed so that the field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn) can be connected for grounded communication signals and for non-grounded communication signals.

2. The facility (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that A switching element (130) is provided between the physical layer (116) for grounded communication signals and the other physical layer (114) for non-grounded communication signals; wherein The facility (100) is configured to control the switching element (130) based on a received configuration signal and / or a connector for the field device connection end (104) and / or received communication data and / or a power supply type of the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn), so that the switching element (130) is either switched to the physical layer (116) for grounded communication signals or to the other physical layer (114) for non-grounded communication signals, so that a data connection with the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn) can be established via the corresponding physical layer.

3. The facility (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The switch element (130) is directly connected to the microprocessor (102) via a line, wherein the microprocessor (102) is configured to control the function of the switch element (130) based on a received configuration signal and / or a used plug connector and / or received communication data and / or a power supply type of the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn).

4. The installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The installation (100) is configured to supply the field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn) with electrical power via a first pair of wires and to establish a data connection via a second pair of wires; The field device connection (104) is in particular configured to supply electrical power to the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn) via two pins (P1, P3); and wherein The field device connection terminal (104) is particularly configured to switch the other two pins (P2, P4) to C / Q for grounded communication signals, and optionally have functions such as DI / DO, or to switch the other two pins (P2, P4) to DL+ and DL- for non-grounded communication signals.

5. The installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The installation (100) is configured to supply electrical power to the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn) via a first pair of cores, in particular via two pins (P1, P3); In particular for non-grounded communication signals, the device (100) is configured to establish a data connection also via the first pair of wires, in particular via the two pins (P1, P3); and wherein The device (100) is particularly configured to establish a data connection for a grounded communication signal via a further core, in particular via a further pin (P4), wherein the further pin (P4) is particularly switchable to C / Q; wherein, optionally, The facility (100) is configured to operate the first core wire pair, in particular the two pins (P1, P3), so that in the case of a grounded communication signal, a voltage of 24V and GND can be supplied to the field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn), and in the case of a non-grounded communication signal, electrical power can be supplied to the field devices by means of a data line power supply PoDL, or via a single pair Ethernet / data line power supply SPE / PoDL.

6. The installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The microprocessor (102) is directly and electrically connected to the pins (P1, P2, P3, P4) via the line, and is particularly electrically connected to the communication pins (P2, P4); and / or The field device connection end (104) comprises a plug socket, which is designed as an IO-LINK plug socket in accordance with the 61131-9 standard, and is in particular designed as a three-pole or four-pole plug socket.

7. The installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The field device connection end (104) comprises a connector socket designed to be connected to a connector in a mechanical and conductive manner; The plug socket has at least four pins (P1, P2, P3, P4), in particular in accordance with the IO-Link standard, including two pins (P2, P4) for data transmission and two pins (P1, P3) for power transmission, in particular for an IO-Link connection; wherein The connector socket is also suitable for two-pole connection with an SPE connector for a twisted pair cable of a single-pair Ethernet SPE, wherein the SPE connector can be electrically connected to the two pins (P2, P4) for communication; and wherein The plug socket can also be connected to an IO-Link plug connector in a form-fitting manner.

8. A plug connector for connecting to a field device connection of a facility (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in particular a plug connector for connecting the facility (100) to the field device via a single-pair Ethernet (SPE), in particular wherein power transmission is performed via the SPE; The plug connector has at least one electrically non-conductive mating element which positively engages with a pin (P2) of the field device connector.

9. A kit consisting of an IO-Link plug socket and a connector, wherein the IO-Link plug socket is designed as a four-pole and designed according to the IO-Link standard, the IO-Link plug socket has at least one pin (P4) for grounded data transmission and two pins (P1, P3) for power transmission, wherein the connector is designed as a two-pole SPE connector for a twisted pair cable of a single-pair Ethernet SPE, and wherein the connector can be electrically conductively connected to the two pins (P1, P3) of the IO-Link plug socket for power transmission.

10. A method for operating a facility (100) for connecting field devices (F1, F2, F3, Fn) to a control system (400), the method comprising the following steps: - establishing a data connection between the installation (100) and the control system (400), in particular via a data bus (410), for example by means of an Ethernet connection; - connecting the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn) to the installation (100) via a plug connection, the plug connection being based on a plug socket of the installation (100) and a plug connector having a cable for data and power transmission between the installation (100) and the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn); - identifying the type of communication signal that can be used for the field device (F1, F2, F3, Fn), in particular a grounded communication signal as in IO-Link or a non-grounded communication signal as in SPE; - setting the facility (100) according to the identification, the facility (100) is used for data transmission by means of a physical layer for grounded communication signals, for example via an IO-Link network, or for data transmission by means of a physical layer for non-grounded communication signals, for example via an SPE network.

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