August 2006Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Information Security
Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) now offers a new DP/AS-i Link Advanced for simple linking of the communication networks of Profibus and AS-interface. The routers in accordance with AS-i Spec. 3.0 are available as single or double masters for applications with a large number of slaves. The pixel-graphics display and the integral web server are new. This device organises data traffic on the AS-Interface line and makes the signals of the sensors and actuators available on one interface.
The integral pixel-graphics operator display simplifies startup of the connected AS-i line. As well as parameterisation, it is also possible to carry out the complete I/O test of all digital and analog slaves.
During operation, detailed diagnostics information is available to the user on the display. This helps to locate the source of a fault when required, and to significantly reduce standstill times. These functions can also be used remotely via a standard browser thanks to the integral web server. The AS-i-Link is equipped with an additional Ethernet port for this purpose.
With the new DP/AS-i-Link Advanced, Siemens A&D has put into practice the innovations of the AS-Interface specification 3.0. Thus, there are now also modules in expanded address mode, with four outputs instead of only three (4I/4O), allowing 248 inputs and 248 outputs to be operated on one AS-i network. New AS-i modules in accordance with Spec. 3.0 are available as IP67 field modules in the compact series K60 and K20, and as an IP20 control cabinet module S45.
With the new specification, analog value transmission with profile 7.A.9 and extended address mode (A/B addresses) also do not exclude one another any more. With the corresponding Siemens fast analog modules, full addresses are not used up any longer - 62 slaves can now be used, either analog or digital. Furthermore, on average, the transmission speed can now be doubled using the fast analog modules and depending on the selected resolution.
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