Master station, coupler and slave station for communication network

Abstract

A master station for connection to a communication network is provided, wherein the master station is designed to: periodically output process data and aperiodically output device data to the communication network according to a predetermined communication standard; and outputting a predetermined control command comprising the predetermined password to the communication network by means of the device data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a master station for connecting to a communication network, a coupler for connecting a master station to a slave station, a slave station for connecting to a master station of a communication network, and a communication network having a master station and a slave station and / or a coupler. A method for operating a master station is also provided. Background Art

[0002] The following discussion of the prior art should not be construed as an admission that the prior art is generally known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the technical field on which the present disclosure is based.

[0003] In automation technology, a communication system known by the trade name IO-Link is used to couple intelligent sensors and actuators to an automation system, the name of which is standardized in the IEC 61131-9 standard as "Single-drop digital communication interface for small sensors and actuators (SDCI)". Here, such standardization includes not only the electrical connection data, but also the digital communication protocol by which the sensors and actuators exchange data with the automation system.

[0004] The basic functions of the IO-Link standard can be learned from "IO-Link Interface and System Specification, Version 1.1.3" (as of June 2019, available for calling at the following website: https: / / io-link.com / share / Downloads / Package-2020 / IOL-Interface-Spec_10002_ V113_Jun19.pdf) ...

[0005] The IO-Link system includes a so-called IO-Link master station and one or more IO-Link devices (i.e., sensors or actuators). The IO-Link master station acts as a gateway, i.e., it provides an interface to the upper-level control device (SPS) or host (processor), and controls the communication between the host and the connected IO-Link devices.

[0006] IO-Link devices can be intelligent sensors, actuators, hubs, or, due to two-way communication, also mechatronic components (such as grippers or power supplies with IO-Link connections). In terms of IO-Link, intelligent means that the device has identification data (such as type name and serial number) or parameter data (such as sensitivity, switching delay, and / or characteristic curve) that can be read or written by the IO-Link protocol. Therefore, parameter changes can, in some cases, be made by the SPS during continuous operation. However, intelligent also means that it can provide detailed diagnostic information.

[0007] For the exchange of data between an IO-Link device and an SPS or a host, the IO-Link data is mapped from the IO-Link master to the fieldbus used. This is called the IO-Link Mapping to the fieldbus. If the IO-Link master is directly connected to the SPS via a proprietary backplane bus, the IO-Link data is mapped to this bus and transmitted to the SPS or from the SPS to the IO-Link master and further transmitted to the IO-Link device. There are already IO-Link mapping specifications for PROFIBUS, PROFINET, INTERBUS, AS-i, EtherCAT, and PowerLink.

[0008] During the periodic data exchange, process data is transmitted from and / or to the IO-Link device via the fieldbus or the backplane bus. The parameter data must be explicitly requested by the SPS or be sent in a self-labeled manner. For this purpose, the iSDU (indexed service data unit) is defined in the IO-Link specification. By means of an index and a sub-index, parameter values and statuses can be queried in the IO-Link device. These requests (read and write services) are encoded as IO-Link-specific iSDUs in the IO-Link master and transmitted to the IO-Link device via the IO-Link interface. The iSDU indicates whether it is a read request or a write request. The parameter for which the value is to be read or written is indicated by the index.

[0009] Here, the IO-Link standard is based on a point-to-point bus topology, such that the coupler connected between the IO-Link master and the IO-Link device cannot be accessed conventionally. This coupler loops information or data packets between these two IO-Link components. In other words, the coupler is initially transparent and cannot be manipulated by conventional means.

[0010] Furthermore, although an IO-Link device can be parameterized with the conventional IO-Link standard, the permissions for writing to and / or reading certain indexes cannot be managed or cannot be fully managed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Against the background of this prior art, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and / or a device, both of which are suitable for enriching the prior art.

[0012] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The content of the dependent claims and the subclaims has optional improvement solutions of the present disclosure.

[0013] Then, this object is achieved by a master station for connection to a communication network, wherein the master station is designed to periodically output process data and aperiodically output device data to the communication network according to a predetermined communication standard. In addition, the master station is designed to output a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password to the communication network by means of the device data.

[0014] The master station can be a control device which is designed to: process data received from slave stations via a coupler; and / or output data for controlling the operation of slave stations via the coupler; and transmit data for controlling the operation of the coupler to the coupler. These data can be device data which need to be distinguished from the process data to be described later. The device data can be used to parameterize the coupler and the slave stations. Additionally or alternatively, the master station can be a gateway which is designed to: obtain data from a control and management system in another communication standard (such as Ethernet) and output these data to the coupler and the slave stations in a predetermined communication standard (such as IO-Link); and optionally vice versa, receive data from the coupler and the slave stations in the predetermined communication standard and output them to the control and management system in the other communication standard.

[0015] The device data can be transmitted in a manner aperiodically triggered by the master station according to a predetermined communication standard. The predetermined communication standard can be IO-Link.

[0016] More precisely, according to the IO-Link protocol of the IO-Link (communication) standard, three different types or kinds of data are exchanged or transmitted, namely process data, device parameters, and so-called events (including three categories: errors, warnings, and notifications). The process data are transmitted periodically. The device parameters or general device data and events are transmitted aperiodically. Here, the IO-Link devices or slave stations only or exclusively send data when requested by the IO-Link master station. The sending of the process data is performed periodically for each frame. The device parameter data are explicitly requested by the master station, that is, the transmission of the device data is performed in a manner triggered by the master station.

[0017] Here, the above-mentioned master station offers a series of advantages. One of these advantages is the possibility of providing, by means of IO-Link communication, special functions that cannot be mapped via the IO-Link standard (such as switching at least one IO-Link device, here the defined or to-be-defined operating mode of a coupler). In addition, the master station offers the advantage that it can switch the devices of the communication network to a (password) protected (operating) mode by means of a password contained in a control instruction. It is conceivable that a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password is not stored in the common IODD (for details on the IODD, see above), and thus a control instruction that can be stored, for example, as a string in the device data can be used as a password to enter the protected (operating) mode of the communication network device.

[0018] Possible or alternative improvements of the above-mentioned device are elaborated in detail below.

[0019] The communication network can have a coupler. The master station can be designed to first output, by means of device data, a further predetermined control instruction to the coupler, such that the coupler switches from a coupler transmission mode, in which the coupler is designed to output data received from the master station according to a predetermined communication standard to a slave station according to a predetermined communication standard, to a coupler configuration mode, in which the coupler can be parameterized by the master station. The master station can be designed to output a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password to the coupler by means of device data, such that the coupler switches from the coupler configuration mode to a protected coupler operating mode, in which the coupler can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the coupler configuration mode.

[0020] In other words, for example, it is conceivable that the current operating mode (i.e., the operating mode in which the coupler is when receiving this further predetermined control instruction) is the transmission mode, and the coupler switches to the configuration mode due to this further predetermined control instruction.

[0021] In the transmission mode, (optionally bidirectional) data transmission can be carried out from the master station to the slave station via the coupler. In the configuration mode, data transmission between the master station and the slave station can be stopped until the parameterization of the coupler has been completed. Then it is conceivable that the coupler automatically switches back to the transmission mode, or a predetermined control instruction including a password is then output to the coupler, such that the coupler switches to the protected coupler operating mode.

[0022] Subsequently, in the protected operating mode, for example, device settings and / or characteristics of the coupler that can only or exclusively be changed in the protected operating mode can be read and / or changed. Then it is conceivable that the coupler automatically switches back to the transmission mode, or a (further) predetermined control instruction is then output to the coupler, such that the coupler switches (back) to the transmission mode.

[0023] In other words, a two-step process can be implemented, in which the current operating mode of the coupler is the coupler transmission mode, and the coupler switches to the coupler configuration mode due to the function called by the first control instruction. Once the coupler is in the coupler configuration mode, it can be envisaged that the coupler switches to the protected coupler operating mode due to the function called by the second control instruction including the password. This can be referred to as a two-step method, in which the second control instruction acts as a password to switch from the coupler configuration mode to the protected coupler operating mode.

[0024] Therefore, there is no need to additionally set or operate the coupler to control the coupler. Instead, the coupler can be directly controlled by means of the transmitted control instructions using the underlying communication standard and controlled on-site.

[0025] The coupler can be understood as an electronic component for current isolation and optionally for isolating and protecting signals. Signal isolation can be carried out optically by means of an optocoupler, but additionally or alternatively, signal isolation can also be carried out in a transformer-based manner, a capacitance-based manner, or magnetically using a magnetic coupler. These signals can be used to transmit data. In other words, the coupler can be used for bidirectional loop-through transmission of data or signals.

[0026] The communication network can have slave stations. The master station can be designed to output a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password to the slave stations by means of device data, so that the slave stations switch from the slave station transmission mode (optionally directly) to the protected slave station operating mode. In the slave station transmission mode, the slave stations are designed to exchange data with the master station according to a predetermined communication standard. In the protected slave station operating mode, the slave stations can be parameterized to a greater extent than in the slave station configuration mode.

[0027] Therefore, there is also no need to additionally set or operate the slave stations to control the slave stations here. Instead, the coupler can be directly controlled by means of the transmitted control instructions using the underlying communication standard and controlled on-site.

[0028] The slave station can be a field device, such as an actuator and / or a sensor. A field device (abbreviated as FG, English: Field Device (FD)) can be understood as a technical device directly related to the production process in the field of automation technology. In automation technology, "field" refers to the area outside the control cabinet or management center. Therefore, field devices can be actuators (actuators, valves, etc.) and sensors (measurement transducers) in factory and process automation. Field devices can be connected to the control and management system via a fieldbus in most cases or increasingly also via real-time Ethernet. In the control and management system, the data received from the field devices is analyzed, and this data can be used to regulate and / or control the production process and (additionally or alternatively) for further processing. In the scope of further processing, for example, visualization and display of the production process status (such as valve opening / closing, pressure, flow rate, temperature, etc.) can be carried out.

[0029] The slave station and / or the coupler can be implemented as an IO-Link device. Therefore, the slave station can be a sensor, an actuator, a hub, and / or a mechatronic component (such as a gripper or a power supply unit with an IO-Link connection). The master station can be implemented as an IO-Link master station. As mentioned at the beginning, IO-Link is a standardized IO technology (IEC 61131-9) for communicating with IO-Link devices (such as sensors and actuators). IO-Link is based on point-to-point communication and is based on a 3-wire IO-Link device connection without additional requirements for the cable material. Therefore, IO-Link is not a fieldbus and is thus independent of the fieldbus. For further details about IO-Link, refer to the content described above.

[0030] In addition, a coupler is provided for connecting the master station (optionally the above-mentioned master station) of a communication network to the slave station (optionally the above-mentioned slave station), where the coupler is designed to receive device data from the master station according to a predetermined communication standard and output the device data to the slave station according to the predetermined communication standard.

[0031] The coupler is designed to first receive additional predetermined control instructions from the master station via the communication network by means of the device data. The coupler is designed to: in response to the received additional predetermined control instruction, switch the coupler transmission mode to the coupler configuration mode. In the coupler transmission mode, the coupler is designed to output the data received from the master station according to the predetermined communication standard to the slave station according to the predetermined communication standard. In the coupler configuration mode, the coupler can be parameterized by the master station.

[0032] The coupler is designed to receive a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password from a master station via a communication network by means of device data. The coupler is designed to: in response to the received predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password, switch from the coupler configuration mode to a protected coupler operation mode, in which the coupler can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the coupler configuration mode.

[0033] The device data can be transmitted in a manner triggered aperiodically by the master station according to a predetermined communication standard.

[0034] The coupler can be designed to output information to the master station via the communication network in response to the recognized predetermined control instruction and / or in response to the recognized additional predetermined control instruction.

[0035] The coupler can be designed to receive process data from the master station according to a predetermined communication standard and output the process data to a slave station via the communication network according to the predetermined communication standard. The process data can be transmitted periodically according to the predetermined communication standard.

[0036] The coupler can be designed to receive additional process data and / or additional device data from the master station according to a predetermined communication standard and output these data to the slave station according to the predetermined communication standard. These additional process data can be transmitted periodically according to the predetermined communication standard. These additional device data can be transmitted in a manner (optionally by means of additional service data units and / or aperiodically) triggered by the master station according to the predetermined communication standard.

[0037] The coupler can have an inductive coupler or be designed as such an inductive coupler. The inductive coupler can be understood as a transformer, where the transformer core is separable, i.e., the two parts can be separated from each other. Here, the primary winding is arranged on one part of the core, and the secondary winding is arranged on the other part of the core. In addition to transmitting data, the inductive coupler also allows the transmission of electrical energy from the master station to the slave station.

[0038] What has been described above for the master station also applies analogously to the coupler, and vice versa.

[0039] Furthermore, a slave station for connection to a master station of a communication network (optionally the above-mentioned master station) is provided, wherein the slave station is designed to receive device data from the master station according to a predetermined communication standard and output the device data to the master station according to the predetermined communication standard. The slave station is designed to receive a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password from the master station by means of the device data. The slave station is designed to: in response to the received predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password, switch from the slave station transmission mode to the protected slave station operation mode, in the slave station transmission mode, the slave station is designed to exchange data with the master station according to the predetermined communication standard, and in the protected slave station operation mode, the slave station can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the slave station configuration mode.

[0040] The slave station can be designed to be connected to the master station via a coupler (optionally the above-mentioned coupler).

[0041] What has been described above with respect to the master station and the coupler similarly applies to the slave station, and vice versa.

[0042] The device data can include service data units according to a predetermined communication protocol of the predetermined communication standard, the service data unit including an area in which a plurality of standard parameters can be stored according to the predetermined communication protocol, and the predetermined control instruction and / or the additional predetermined control instruction can be stored in this area.

[0043] More precisely, according to the IO-Link (communication) standard's IO-Link protocol, parameter data is explicitly requested by the IO-Link master station or is sent in a self-labeled manner. For this purpose, service data units, so-called iSDUs (English: indexed service data unit), are defined in the IO-Link specification. Through indexes and sub-indexes, parameter values and statuses can be queried and parameters can be stored in the IO-Link device. These requests (read / write services) are encoded as IO-Link-specific iSDUs in the IO-Link master station and transmitted to the IO-Link device via the IO-Link interface. The iSDU indicates whether it is a read request or a write request. The parameter whose value is to be read or written is indicated by the index. Now, it is proposed to optionally use the iSDU to transmit the corresponding control instruction from the master station to the coupler and / or the slave station.

[0044] With IO-Link, up to 65,536 indexes can be addressed, each with a size of up to 232 bytes. The IO-Link specification contains predefined indexes (predefined parameters). Through these indexes, IO-Link devices can be clearly identified. However, most of the defined indexes are optional, that is, they can be used but are not required. The advantage of using indexes that have been defined and are compulsorily implemented for transmitting control instructions is that these indexes exist in every IO-Link device (since a specific version).

[0045] In a region of the service data unit where multiple standard parameters can be stored according to a predetermined communication protocol, a first sub-region for application-specific tags, a second sub-region for location tags, and / or a third sub-region for function tags can be set according to the predetermined communication protocol, and a predetermined control instruction and / or the other predetermined control instruction can be stored in at least one of these sub-regions.

[0046] This has the following advantage: these sub-regions have sufficient size to transmit control instructions.

[0047] The above description can be rephrased and summarized in combination with the specific design solutions described below. The following description is only an exemplary description and thus does not limit the content of the present disclosure:

[0048] IO-Link standard parameters (parameters that are mandatory in the iSDU area according to the IO-Link specification) can be used to control proprietary device functions. This means that instructions can be sent to the address of the selected standard parameter. Here, these instructions cannot be used to change the content of the parameter, but rather to trigger actions or functions. For this purpose, the instruction sets to be used can be predefined. Conceivably, these instruction sets are not visible externally. Here, the likelihood of access errors occurring in this case is very low because the instructions can be selected so that they do not conflict with standard instructions or standard content. It is also possible to implement password access with the described solution. In addition to triggering actions, there can also be the possibility of returning responses (acknowledgment instructions). Here, these can be read in a subsequent iSDU frame or within a given time period (optionally within 10 s after obtaining the instruction). This function can be particularly advantageous mainly during development and testing because it allows the manufacturer to perform extended fault diagnosis. Specifically, an instruction line interface can be implemented here, which allows instructions to be sent in the above manner and the responses / acknowledgments to the sent instructions to be read. It can be advantageous to use parameters in the iSDU area that have a corresponding size and have been available in all devices since a specific version. Particularly suitable for this are parameters using so-called application-specific tags, location tags, or function tags. These instructions can be used to change the operating mode of infrastructure components. In addition to transmitting power to the connected device, such infrastructure components (such as inductive couplers) also provide IO-Link communication with the connected device (ring-through transmission between the master - coupler - device). In addition to the transmission mode, there can also be additional operating modes for configuring the coupler itself, namely the so-called configuration mode, because configuration cannot be performed due to the active communication in the transmission mode. With the solution proposed here, it is possible to switch between these two modes by sending an instruction (for example, sending it to the address of an application-specific tag). Then, the coupler can be configured and optionally reset to the transmission mode again subsequently. As another step that can be proposed: when the coupler is in the configuration mode, switch to a protected operating mode or an administrator mode. For this purpose, an additional instruction can be sent to the coupler in the above manner, where the instruction includes a password, which is then sent, for example, as a string to the address of an application-specific tag (or other tags among the above tags). The password can include switching the coupler from the configuration mode to the administrator mode, where in the administrator mode, parameters or settings of the coupler that are inaccessible in the configuration mode can be changed and / or read.

[0049] In addition, a communication network is provided, wherein the communication network has the above-mentioned master station, and the above-mentioned coupler connected to the master station and / or the above-mentioned slave station connected to the master station.

[0050] A communication network can have a control and management system that is connected to slave stations via a master station and a coupler. It is conceivable that the control and management system communicates with the master station according to additional predefined communication standards such as PROFIBUS, PROFINET, INTERBUS, AS-i, EtherCAT, Ethernet, or PowerLink.

[0051] What has been described above regarding the master station, coupler, and slave stations also applies analogously to the communication network, and vice versa.

[0052] Furthermore, a method for operating a master station (optionally the above-mentioned master station) to connect to a communication network is provided. The method includes: periodically outputting process data and non-periodically outputting device data to the communication network according to a predefined communication standard. The method includes: outputting a predefined control instruction including a predefined password to the communication network by means of the device data.

[0053] The method can be a computer-implemented method, that is, one, multiple, or all steps of the method can be at least partially executed by a computer or a data processing device.

[0054] What has been described above regarding the master station, coupler, slave stations, and communication network also applies analogously to the method, and vice versa.

[0055] Furthermore, a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium are provided, and the computer program and / or the computer-readable medium include instructions that cause the master station (optionally the above-mentioned master station) to at least partially execute the above method when the master station executes the program or the instructions to connect to the communication network.

[0056] The computer program can be the firmware of the master station. Firmware can be understood as software that is (permanently) embedded in an electronic device (such as the master station here) and executes basic functions therein. Firmware can occupy an intermediate position between the hardware of the master station (i.e., the physical part of the master station) and the possible application software (so-called functions). The firmware can be stored in the memory of the master station. The memory can be a flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, or ROM.

[0057] The computer-readable medium can have the above computer program.

[0058] The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable medium, that is, any digital data storage device, such as a USB flash drive, a hard disk, a flash memory, a CD-ROM, an SD card, or an SSD card.

[0059] The computer program or instructions do not necessarily have to be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium for use by the master station, but can also be obtained via the Internet or other external means.

[0060] What has been described above for the master station, coupler, slave station, communication network and method similarly applies to computer programs and / or computer-readable media, and vice versa.

[0061] It should also be noted that: Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. If a term has multiple definitions, the definition in this specification shall prevail unless otherwise stated.

[0062] Whenever expressions such as "for example", "such as", "including" are used, unless otherwise clearly stated, they shall be construed as being followed by the expression "and not limited to". Similarly, "example", "exemplary", etc. shall be understood as non-restrictive or non-exhaustive listings.

[0063] For numerical descriptions, they can be understood as either exhaustive or non-exhaustive, that is: for example, "a slave station" can be understood as "at least one slave station and / or exactly one slave station".

[0064] The term "substantially" allows for deviations that do not have an adverse effect on the intended purpose. Even if the word "substantially" is not explicitly mentioned, descriptive terms should be understood as being modified by the term "substantially".

[0065] The terms "comprising" and "including" and "having" and "including" (and terms expressed in a similar manner) can be used synonymously and have the same meaning.

[0066] Therefore, unless the context clearly or explicitly requires otherwise, words such as "comprising", "including", etc. in the specification and claims should be understood in an inclusive sense rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is, in the sense of "including but not limited to". Description of the Drawings

[0067] The following is a reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 to describe the embodiments.

[0068] Figure 1 Schematically shows a communication network according to the present disclosure; and

[0069] Figure 2 Schematically shows a flowchart of a method for controlling a communication network. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0070] Figure 1The communication network 10 shown therein has a master station 1, a coupler 2, and a slave station 3 connected to the master station 1 via the coupler 2 and two data lines 4, 5. Between the master station 1 and the slave station 3, two-way (data) communication is carried out via the coupler 2 and these two data lines 4, 5 according to the IO-Link standard. Therefore, the coupler 2 is designed to: receive data from the master station 1 according to the IO-Link standard and transfer it to the slave station 3 according to the IO-Link standard; and receive data from the slave station 3 according to the IO-Link standard and transfer it to the master station 1 according to the IO-Link standard. The data exchange or (data) communication mentioned below complies with the IO-Link standard. An upper-level control and management system (not shown) can be connected to the master station 1, and the control and management system is used to control and monitor the process in which the slave station 3 implemented as a field device is used.

[0071] In an embodiment of the method for operating the communication network 10 according to the present disclosure, the communication network 10 is operated, and the flowchart of the method is schematically shown in Figure 2 and elaborated in detail below.

[0072] In a first step S1 of the method, process data 6 is periodically exchanged between the master station 1 and the slave station 3 via the coupler 2 and the data lines 4, 5. During the first step S1, device data 7 in the form of service data units according to the IO-Link protocol is repeatedly exchanged between the master station 1 and the slave station 3 in a manner non-periodically triggered by the master station 1 to parameterize the slave station 3.

[0073] From the perspective of the master station 1, the process data 6 can be input data and output data. The input data includes values measured by the slave station 3 (such as temperature, distance, volume, rotational speed, flow rate, etc.), and the output data includes control data for the slave station 3 (such as rotational speed, pressure or pressure difference, on / off of a lamp, color of a lamp, flashing pattern, output voltage, output current) (for example, for controlling actuators such as motors, valves, signal lights, power supplies by means of the slave station 3).

[0074] The coupler 2 is initially in the coupler transmission mode. In the coupler transmission mode, in addition to the process data, the coupler 2 also forwards, in principle without change, the device data 7 designated for the slave station 3 or the master station 1, that is, the coupler 2 loop-transmits the device data 7 and the process data 6. However, when the device data 7 contains a first predetermined control instruction, the coupler 2 does not loop-transmit the service data unit of the device data.

[0075] To determine this, in a second step S2 carried out in parallel with or simultaneously with the first step S1 of the method, the coupler 2 checks the service data unit of the device data 7 received from the master station 1 to determine whether the device data contains the first predetermined control instruction.

[0076] More precisely, the service data unit of the device data 7 includes an area in which a plurality of standard parameters can be stored according to the IO-Link protocol, and the master station 1 stores a predetermined control instruction in this area. It is conceivable that the master station 1 stores the predetermined control instruction as a string in a sub-area provided for a so-called application-specific tag, a so-called position tag, and / or a so-called function tag. Therefore, the coupler 2 checks these sub-areas to determine whether a first predetermined control instruction is included in one of the sub-areas.

[0077] If the coupler 2 identifies the first predetermined control instruction in the second step S2, the coupler 2 outputs information 8 to the master station 1 via the data line 4 in response to the identified first control instruction, and the method proceeds to the third step S3. Otherwise, the first step and the second steps S1, S2 are continued. This information may relate to the confirmation of the receipt of the first predetermined control instruction and the interruption of the connection or the abort of the loop-through transmission of the process data 6, so that the connection to the master station 1 can be re-established subsequently in the configuration mode (see steps S3 and S4).

[0078] In the third step S3 of the method, the coupler 2 calls a function stored in the coupler 2 according to the first predetermined control instruction identified in the device data 7. Here, a plurality of functions can be stored in the coupler 2, and the first predetermined control instruction is designed such that the coupler 2 can unambiguously assign the first predetermined control instruction to at least one of these functions.

[0079] In the fourth step S4 of the method, the coupler 2 executes the function called in the third step S3. This function can be a function that switches the coupler 2 from the current operating mode to another or other operating modes defined in this function. Here, this can be, for example, the coupler configuration mode, in which the coupler 2 can be parameterized by means of the master station 1.

[0080] In the fifth step S5 of the method, once the coupler 2 is in the configuration mode, the coupler 2 checks, similar to the second step 2 of the method: the service data unit of the device data 7 received from the master station 1 after switching to the coupler configuration mode, to determine whether the device data contains a second predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password.

[0081] More precisely, the service data unit of the device data 7 received at the coupler 2 after switching to the coupler configuration mode (similarly to the above-mentioned service data) includes an area in which multiple standard parameters can be stored according to the IO-Link protocol, and the master 1 stores a second predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password in this area. It is conceivable that the master 1 stores the second predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password as a string in a sub-area set for a so-called application-specific tag, a so-called position tag, and / or a so-called function tag. Therefore, the coupler 2 checks these sub-areas to determine whether a sub-area among them contains the second predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password.

[0082] If the coupler 2 recognizes the control instruction in the fifth step S5, the coupler 2 can output additional information 8 to the master 1 via the data line 4 in response to the recognized second predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password, and the method proceeds to the sixth step S6.

[0083] In the sixth step S6 of the method, the coupler 2 (similarly to the third step S3 of the method) calls the function stored in the coupler 2 according to the second predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password recognized in the device data 7. Here, multiple functions can be stored in the coupler 2, and the second predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password is designed such that the coupler 2 can unambiguously assign the first predetermined control instruction to at least one of these functions.

[0084] In the seventh step S7 of the method, the coupler 2 executes the function called in the sixth step S6. This function can be a function that switches the coupler 2 from the current operating mode to another or different operating mode defined in this function. Here, this can be, for example, a protected coupler operating mode or a coupler administrator mode, in which the coupler 2 can be parameterized by means of the master 1. Here, the coupler administrator mode is different from the above-mentioned coupler configuration mode in that, in the coupler administrator mode, the coupler 2 can be parameterized to a greater extent than in the coupler configuration mode.

[0085] In other words, in coupler 2, the coupler administrator mode can in particular be activated within the coupler configuration mode or enabled by means of a predetermined password contained in a second predetermined control instruction in order to obtain access to additional IO-Link indices that are not available in the configuration mode. That is to say: In the coupler administrator mode, the coupler can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the coupler configuration mode. This can be used for extended fault diagnosis or manufacturer parameterization. In order to switch from the coupler configuration mode to the coupler administrator mode, once coupler 2 is in the coupler configuration mode, the second, third, and fourth steps S3, S4 of the method can be repeated as the fifth, sixth, and seventh steps S5, S6, S7.

[0086] However, the above method also allows for the possibility that the device data 7 contains a predetermined control instruction for slave station 3 that includes a predetermined password, and by means of this predetermined control instruction, slave station 3 can be switched from the slave station transmission mode to a protected slave station operation mode or a slave station administrator mode.

[0087] For this purpose, the method includes an eighth step S8 that follows the first and second steps S2 of the method. Similar to the second step S2 of the method, in the eighth step S8 of the method, slave station 3 (which is initially in the slave station transmission mode, in which slave station 3 exchanges process data 6 and device data 7 with master station 1 via coupler 2 in accordance with the IO-Link standard) checks the service data unit of the device data 7 received from master station 1 to determine whether the device data contains a predetermined control instruction that includes a predetermined password. For further details regarding the service data, reference is made above.

[0088] If slave station 3 identifies the first predetermined control instruction in the eighth step S8, slave station 3 can optionally output an information 8 to master station 1 via data line 4 in response to the identified predetermined control instruction, and the method proceeds to the ninth step S9. Otherwise, the first, second, and eighth steps S1, S2, S8 are continued. The information can be an acknowledgement of the receipt of the predetermined control instruction.

[0089] In the ninth step S9 of the method, slave station 3 invokes a function stored in slave station 3 in accordance with the predetermined control instruction that includes a predetermined password and that is identified in the device data 7. Here, a plurality of functions can be stored in coupler 2, and the predetermined control instruction that includes a predetermined password is then designed such that coupler 2 can unambiguously assign the predetermined control instruction that includes a predetermined password to at least one of these functions.

[0090] In the tenth step S10 of the method, the slave station 3 executes the function called in the ninth step S9. This function can be a function that switches the slave station 3 from the current operating mode to another or other operating modes defined in this function. Here, this can be, for example, the protected slave operating mode or the slave administrator mode, in which the slave station 3 can be parameterized by the master station 1. Thus, the slave station 3 can directly switch from the slave transfer mode to the slave administrator mode. Here, the slave administrator mode differs from the slave configuration mode in that in the slave administrator mode, the slave station 3 can be parameterized to a greater extent than in the slave configuration mode. For further details on the slave configuration mode and the slave administrator mode, refer to the coupler configuration mode and the coupler administrator mode.

[0091] List of reference numerals

[0092] 1 Master station

[0093] 2 Coupler

[0094] 3 Slave station

[0095] 4 Data line between the master station and the coupler

[0096] 5 Data line between the slave station and the coupler

[0097] 6 Process data

[0098] 7 Device data

[0099] 8 Information in response to a control instruction

[0100] 10 Communication network

[0101] S1 - S10 Method steps

Claims

1. A master station (1) for connection to a communication network (10), wherein the master station (1) is designed to periodically output process data (6) and aperiodically output device data (7) to the communication network (10) according to a predetermined communication standard, characterized in that, The master station (1) is designed to output a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password to the communication network (10) by means of the device data (7).

2. The master station (1) according to claim 1, wherein the communication network (10) has a coupler (2), characterized in that, The master station (1) is designed to: - Output a further predetermined control instruction to the coupler (2) by means of the device data (7) first, so that the coupler (2) switches from the coupler transmission mode to the coupler configuration mode. In the coupler transmission mode, the coupler (2) is designed to output the data received from the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard to the slave station (3) according to the predetermined communication standard. In the coupler configuration mode, the coupler (2) can be parameterized by the master station (1); and - Output the predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password to the coupler (2) by means of the device data, so that the coupler (2) switches from the coupler configuration mode to the protected coupler operation mode. In the protected coupler operation mode, the coupler (2) can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the coupler configuration mode.

3. The master station (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication network (10) has slave stations (3), characterized in that, The master station (1) is designed to output the predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password to the slave station (3) by means of the device data (7), so that the slave station (3) switches from the slave station transmission mode to the protected slave station operation mode. In the slave station transmission mode, the slave station (3) is designed to exchange data with the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard. In the protected slave station operation mode, the slave station (3) can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the slave station configuration mode.

4. A coupler (2) for connecting an optionally master station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3 of the communication network (10) to an optionally slave station (3) according to claim 10 or 11, - wherein the coupler (2) is designed to receive device data (7) from the master station (1) according to a predetermined communication standard and output the device data to the slave station (3) according to the predetermined communication standard, Characterized in that, The coupler (2) is designed to: - Receive a further predetermined control instruction from the master station (1) via the communication network (10) by means of the device data (7); - In response to the received further predetermined control instruction, switch from the coupler transmission mode to the coupler configuration mode. In the coupler transmission mode, the coupler (2) is designed to output the data received from the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard to the slave station (3) according to the predetermined communication standard. In the coupler configuration mode, the coupler (2) can be parameterized by the master station (1); - Receive a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password from the master station (1) via the communication network (10) by means of the device data (7); and - In response to the received predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password, switch from the coupler configuration mode to the protected coupler operation mode, in which the coupler (2) can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the coupler configuration mode.

5. The coupler (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The device data (7) is transmitted in a manner aperiodically triggered by the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard.

6. The coupler (2) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The coupler (2) is designed to output information (8) to the master station (1) via the communication network (10) in response to the recognized predetermined control instruction and / or in response to the recognized additional predetermined control instruction.

7. The coupler (2) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that - The coupler (2) is designed to receive process data (6) from the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard and output the process data to the slave station (3) via the communication network (10) according to the predetermined communication standard. - Wherein the process data (6) is optionally transmitted periodically according to the predetermined communication standard.

8. The coupler (2) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that - The coupler (2) is designed to receive additional process data (6) and / or additional device data (7) from the slave station (3) according to a predetermined communication standard and output the data to the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard. - Wherein the additional process data (6) is optionally transmitted periodically according to the predetermined communication standard, and - Wherein the additional device data (7) is transmitted in a manner optionally triggered by the master station (1) by means of additional service data units and / or aperiodically according to the predetermined communication standard.

9. The coupler (2) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that, The coupler (2) has an inductive coupler (2) or is designed as such an inductive coupler.

10. A slave station (3) for connecting to a master station (1) which is optionally according to one of claims 1 to 3 of the communication network (10), - Wherein the slave station (3) is designed to receive device data (7) from the master station (1) according to a predetermined communication standard and output the device data to the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard. It is characterized in that The slave station (3) is designed to - Receive a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password from the master station (1) by means of the device data; And - In response to the received predetermined control instruction including the predetermined password, switch from the slave station transmission mode to the protected slave station operation mode, in which the slave station (3) is designed to exchange data with the master station (1) according to the predetermined communication standard, and in the protected slave station operation mode, the slave station (3) can be parameterized to a higher degree than in the slave station configuration mode.

11. The slave station (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The slave station (3) is designed to be connected to the master station (1) via a coupler (2) which is optionally according to one of claims 4 to 9.

12. The master station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, the coupler (2) according to one of claims 4 to 9, and / or the slave station (3) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that - the device data (7) includes service data units according to a predetermined communication protocol of the predetermined communication standard, the service data units having an area in which a plurality of standard parameters can be stored according to the predetermined communication protocol, and - the predetermined control instruction and / or the additional predetermined control instruction are stored in the area.

13. The master station (1), coupler (2) and / or slave station (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that - in the area of the service data unit in which a plurality of standard parameters can be stored according to the predetermined communication protocol, a first sub-area for application-specific tags, a second sub-area for location tags and / or a third sub-area for function tags are provided according to the predetermined communication protocol, and - the predetermined control instruction and / or the additional predetermined control instruction are stored in at least one of the sub-areas.

14. A communication network (10), characterized in that, The communication network has the master station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, 12 or 13 and the coupler (2) according to one of claims 4 to 9, 12 or 13 connected to the master station (1) and / or the slave station (3) according to one of claims 10 to 13 connected to the master station (1).

15. A method for operating a master station (1) to be connected to a communication network (10), the method comprising: - periodically outputting (S1) process data and non-periodically outputting (S1) device data (7) to the communication network (10) according to a predetermined communication standard, characterized in that the method comprises: - outputting (S2) a predetermined control instruction including a predetermined password to the communication network (10) by means of the device data (7).

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