The design integrates key components for IO-Link applications, providing a solution for industrial automation with specific features and functionality.
The reference design, developed in partnership with Technologie Management Gruppe (TMG TE), incorporates Maxim’s MAXREFDES171#, a solution for IO-Link versions 1.1/1.0. The design integrates components such as a transceiver, a 16-bit microcontroller running the TMG TE IO-Link device stack, and the distance sensor, which provides a solution for distance and proximity sensing.
The MAX22513 transceiver is the heart of the design, meeting the IO-Link physical layer specifications for versions 1.1/1.0. It includes protection features like reverse-voltage, short-circuit protection on all IO pins, and surge protection. This eliminates the need for external components like TVS diodes while reducing power dissipation through on-resistance drivers. The transceiver operates from a 24V supply with support for up to 36V and can tolerate transients with a maximum rating of 65V.
For power efficiency, the transceiver integrates a DC-DC buck regulator that decreases the 24V input to lower voltages. This regulator supports loads up to 300mA, making it ideal for sensors at lower voltages where linear regulators would be less efficient. Additionally, two linear regulators generate 3.3V and 5V rails within the same transceiver package, minimizing external components and saving board space.
The transceiver offers flexibility with a dual-channel interface supporting either SPI or I2C. In this design, I2C reduces the number of required microcontroller pins. The transceiver and the distance sensor can share the same I2C bus, enabling diagnostics and a 3-wire UART interface for IO-Link communication.
The MAX32660 microcontroller features an Arm Cortex-M4 core with a floating-point unit (FPU), integrates a power management unit, and provides 256KB of flash memory and 96KB of RAM, making it suitable for running sensor and application code. It supports communication protocols such as SPI, UART, and I2C, ensuring integration into industrial systems.
The VL53L1 Time-of-Flight (ToF) laser-ranging sensor, integrated into this reference design, offers a maximum measurement range of 400cm and operates via I2C with a default preprogrammed address of 0x52. This eliminates the need for external address pins, simplifying the design.
Protection against electrical transients is built into the design through MAX22513’s surge protection, ensuring compliance with IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD) and IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT) standards. Surge protection capabilities include 2A at 1.2/50μs with a clamping voltage of less than 70V.
For connectivity, the design employs an industry-standard M12 connector that supports either 4-wire or 3-wire cable configurations. The system’s current consumption—under 9mA—includes visual indicators such as a green LED to show power, a yellow LED to blink with each sensor reading, and a red LED to indicate faults.
With this reference design, engineers can accelerate the development of Industry 4.0-compliant automation systems, ensuring reliability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of integration into industrial control applications.
Maxim Integrated has tested this reference design. It comes with a bill of materials (BOM), schematics, assembly drawing, printed circuit board (PCB) layout, and more. The company’s website has additional data about the reference design. To read more about this reference design, click here.
