IO-Link opens up new application areas

IO-Link continues its strongly expansive growth course. This is reflected in both the number of nodes and the variety of different devices. IODDfinder now lists more than 11,000 different devices, making it the largest database for sensors and actuators with IO-Link. With 700,000 accesses per month, IODDfinder has become a primary tool for the IO-Link community. IO-Link's long-term strategy is based on consistent further development of its technology offering in order to open up new application areas - and thus further growth - for both manufacturers and users.

By improving transmission technology, IO-Link can also penetrate and open up new markets. For example, Smart Cities applications require “low-power, long-range” wireless technology for sensors. This technology – also known as narrowband IoT – is implemented through the collaboration between IO-Link and Mioty. Thanks to this collaboration, both technologies have an immense advantage. IO-Link gains an additional wireless transmission, and Mioty benefits from an established, globally recognized data model that is ideally integrated into automation systems.

The improvement of data with precise time information represented another planned extension of the transmission technology. Using so-called time stamps, for example, sensor signals can be synchronized very precisely with actuator responses independently of cycle times. It will also be possible to correlate measurement data from different sources for time-accurate evaluations. An example of this would be the multi-channel vibration analysis of machines. A time accuracy of less than 50 μs is being targeted, which is a significant improvement compared to the cyclic transmission of 2 ms. Time stamps with an absolute time can be used, for example, for time-accurate logging of events in the devices.

Another core element of the IO-Link strategy is the IIoT connection of the IO-Link level to the IT world. Successful JSON connection via the REST API will continue to promote MQTT support in an upcoming release, providing a streamlined, highly functional connection, for example to cloud-based monitoring services or asset management.

Another building block for future growth is the usability of devices in the applications of machine and system manufacturers. Thanks to profiles for different device classes, data models are standardized and can also be used in a standardized way. Profiles for the device classes smart lights, identification, smart actuators and smart power are currently being developed.