A few of CAN-connectible I/O modules were introduced at the SPS IPC Drives 2012. These devices are mostly offered by manufacturers of controllers in order to extend the distributed control system functionality. This report gives a short overview about the I/O modules launched at the trade fair.
Frenzel + Berg Electronic (Germany) presented the Hipecs CIO100 (16/16 digital I/Os), CIO150 (8/4 analog I/Os) and the CIO160 (18 PT100/1000 channels) CANopen I/O module series. The devices support bit-rates up to 1 Mbit/s and implement the CiA 401 device profile for I/O modules. Four Receive PDOs (process data objects) and four Transmit PDOs with event-triggered, synchronous (cyclic and acyclic) as well as remote-requested transmission modes are offered. Dynamic PDO mapping (while operation) is possible.
Grossenbacher Systeme (Germany) offered the CIO-BA 29 (8/8 digital and 8/2 analog I/Os) and CIO-BA 16 (8/8 digital I/Os) compact I/O modules for building automation. The devices support CANopen and Modbus communication. The I/Os may be combined according to customer needs. The IP20-rated modules offer additional features for use in building automation applications e.g. the manual/automatic operation, spring type terminal, odd/even lock protection, and status LEDs.
IEP (Germany) launched the CAN-AI8-16 module with eight analog inputs supporting 16-bit to 24-bit (configurable) resolution. Input signals from 0 V to 10 V, -10 V to 10V and 0/4 mA to 20 mA are possible. The module may use CANopen protocol as an option. Bit-rates from 50 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s as well as the CAN node-IDs are adjustable via rotary Hex-switches. The IP20-protected modules may be mounted on a top hat rail. The CAN and power supply signals are accessible via the Mini-Combicon connector.
Sontheim Industrie Elektronik (Germany) provided the three-CAN-port EC-DIO32 digital 24-V remote I/O module housing a 16-bit Motorola Freescale microprocessor and respectively 32 configurable inputs and outputs. It is separated into four blocks of eight interfaces each that can be configured and addressed via Hex-switches. Every block is galvanically isolated and has an own power supply. This enables the module to handle different voltages and allows the use in safety-relevant applications, e.g. guard doors.
National Instruments (USA) added six C series modules (e.g. the NI 9381 multi-function I/O module and two further analog modules) to be used with its CAN-connectible NI Compactrio and NI Compactdaq system data acquisition systems. The C series comprises over 100 modules for measurement of e.g. thermocouple, voltage, current, resistance and stain. Also introduced were two Compactrio expansion chassis offering connectivity to industrial sensors through NI C series mixed-signal-conditioned I/O modules.
Serad Motion Control (France) presented its RIO40S remote I/O module. The device dedicated for DIN-rail mounting offers 24 inputs and 16 outputs. It supports CANopen and Modbus communication options. For CANopen, the CiA 401 (v. 1.4) device profile for I/O modules is implemented offering two RPDOs and two TPDOs. Configuration of the bit-rate (10 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s) and the node-ID is done using DIP-switches.
[info] www.can-cia.org[/info]