Introduction To And Features Of Io-Link Systems; What Is Io-Link; Overview Of Io-Link System Configurations - Omron NX Series User Manual

1 Introduction to IO-Link Systems
1-1
Introduction to and Features of IO-
Link Systems
This section gives an introduction to IO-Link Systems and describes their features.
1-1-1

What Is IO-Link?

IO-Link is a standard interface for 1:1 (point-to-point) connections with sensors, actuators, or other de-
vices as defined in international standard IEC 61131-9.
Devices that previously could not exchange digital I/O signals can now exchange information such as
detected amounts.
Data exchange is possible using the following two types of communications.
• Cyclic communications to exchange specified data in a specific cycle with devices
• Message communications to access user-specified data in devices when required
You can also connect non-IO-Link sensors or actuators that support only digital input signals or only
digital output signals.
1-1-2

Overview of IO-Link System Configurations

An IO-Link System consists of the following elements.
Support Software
The configuration elements of an IO-Link System that uses an OMRON IO-Link Master Unit are de-
scribed below.
1-2
Controller IO-Link master
Communications
Coupler Unit
IO-Link
communications
(unshielded
general-purpose
cables)
IO-Link devices
Field network
IO-Link master
IO-Link
communications
(unshielded
general-purpose
cables)
IO-Link devices
NX/GX-series IO-Link System User's Manual (W570)
IO-Link master
IO-Link devices