Two new modules can help you reduce hardware complexity and enable communication between industrial devices, sensors, actuators and factory controllers.
Texas Instruments (TI) has launched a multiprotocol communication system-on-module (SoM), a ready-made module that allows industrial devices to communicate using different communication standards or protocols. The company has also launched an IO-Link master, a device that allows industrial controllers, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), to communicate with sensors and actuators.
The company claims that the TICS100MOD is the industry’s smallest fully featured, certified communications SoM that uses two main chips to process data and handle Ethernet communication. It can work with EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP and PROFINET. These are different communication standards used by industrial machines, robots and factory equipment to exchange information. You do not need to redesign the hardware if you want to change the communication protocol. You can simply update the firmware during the machine’s start-up. The module also has additional memory to store and run the software needed for different communication protocols.
The TIOM2212 has two IO-Link channels, allowing engineers to connect IO-Link devices, such as sensors and actuators, to the factory’s control network. Sensors and actuators operate at the machine level, while higher-level systems use Industrial Ethernet to communicate with factory controllers. The dual-channel IO-Link acts as a bridge between these two levels. Since it combines several functions in one platform, you need fewer additional components and less complex circuitry to connect sensors and actuators to factory control systems.
“Industrial communication is evolving faster than ever, and engineers need a partner who can help them adapt to emerging standards and requirements,” said Karim Jamal, director of Industrial Communications Solutions at TI. “TI brings together certified hardware, software and in-house engineering expertise, supporting customers as they develop next-generation industrial automation systems that work together seamlessly across devices, networks and communication protocols.”
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