Ethernet-based IO-Link 4-port Master

Fieldbus modules with 4 IO-Link ports

Balluff have introduced a new 4-port masters with four IO-Link ports for Profinet, Ethernet/IP and EtherCAT. These offer all the advantages of IO-Link in a compact package and feature 32 bytes of process data per port. This means a total of 128 bytes of parameters and/or acyclic diagnostics data can be sent. The modules use the IO-Link ports to process both analogue and digital data in both directions (In/Out). The IO-Link mini-masters are available with IO-Link port Class A^* and Class B^**.

By connecting four cascadable sensor hubs up to 124 I/Os can be operated, representing a significant cost savings compared with the traditional solution using standard fieldbus modules. Other features include an integrated 2-port switch for extending the network and a Web server.

Always know what’s happening

Integrated into a rugged zinc die-cast IP 67 housing, the modules can withstand even the harshest environments. Large

and highly visible LEDs on each I/O port provide status information and enable easy error diagnostics: red LEDs for example indicate a short-circuit, undervoltage, IO-Link configuration errors etc. The diagnostics bits can also be sent to the controller.

Web server

The integrated Web server is an interesting feature for diagnostics and parameterizing. A standard Web browser not only provides access to comprehensive information about the current status of the modules such as IP address, operating and error status, but also allows all devices connected to the IO-Link ports to be conveniently parameterized remotely.

Background information

The specification for IO-Link masters makes a distinction between two port types:

 ^*Modules with Port Class A (Type A): Here the functions of pins 2 and 5 are not specified. Pin 2 is typically assigned to an additional digital channel. 

^**Modules with Port Class B (Type B) provide an additional supply voltage and are suitable for connecting devices with higher current requirements, such as valve terminals. Here pins 2 and 5 provide an additional (galvanically isolated) supp