AS-Interface
Data pipeline ASi-5
High data width, short cycle times, improved integration of intelligent sensors and actuators using IO-Link and cloud connectivity via OPC UA - ASi-5 makes AS-Interface fit for the requirements of digitalization.
When it comes to ASi in general and ASi-5 in particular, many people may only think of a yellow, two-core profile cable, the device connection in penetration technology or top-hat rail modules in the control cabinet. But the new fieldbus standard can do more: a previously unattained data width and extremely short transmission times make ASi-5 a data pipeline that opens up new possibilities for automation technology in the context of digitalization. This does not mean that the tried and tested is being thrown overboard - rather, ASi-5 and ASi-3 communicate in the same network so that users can expand existing ASi-3 solutions with ASi-5 modules and their functionalities. The proven advantages of ASi technology - such as the significantly reduced wiring effort compared to other fieldbus solutions, the free choice of topology and the cost-effective integration of safety on the same infrastructure - are also retained with ASi-5.
Connectivity for data streaming
... simply replace the existing gateway with an ASi-5/ASi-3 gateway from Bihl+Wiedemann (left: before ASi-5 / right: with ASi-5).
© Bihl+WiedemannASi-5 could become an important pacemaker for the digital transformation in mechanical and plant engineering. With ASi-5, the previously rather sluggish data channel becomes a powerful data pipeline and enables 'jerk-free' data streaming. The data power of ASi-5 is designed to enable complex control processes in industrial applications. On the one hand, significantly more slaves can be collected and connected quickly and cost-effectively in one place, as ASi-5 now allows up to 384 input and 384 output bits to be transmitted in a cycle time of 1.27 ms. In contrast to ASi-3, which communicates at around 170 kHz, the new AS-Interface generation uses the frequency range between 1 and 10 MHz. ASi-5 networks and ASi-3 applications can therefore be operated in parallel on one line, which ensures the downward compatibility with all previous ASi generations that was aimed for from the outset.
On the other hand, ASi-5 now makes it even easier to integrate intelligent devices - such as IO-Link sensors - into AS-Interface. The developers of ASi-5 specified profiles for this very purpose at an early stage, allowing up to 32 bytes of I/O data to be transferred cyclically. This can already be implemented in practice - with the 'ASi-5 Slave / IO-Link Master' modules from Bihl+Wiedemann.
This is one aspect of improved connectivity with ASi-5 - the other is OPC UA. This platform-independent, standardized communication architecture is able to transport machine data such as sensor data, measured values or control variables and - this is the innovation relevant for digitalization - also describe them semantically in a machine-readable way. OPC UA is interoperable and ensures industrial connectivity: large volumes of data can be transported without restriction to where valuable information can be obtained from them - for example in cloud-based condition monitoring or predictive maintenance applications. With the OPC UA server, which Bihl+Wiedemann has integrated as standard in its new 'ASi-5/ASi-3 Gateways' for Profinet, Ethernet/IP or Ethercat, data streaming in the sense of edge computing is therefore also possible without detours parallel to the respective fieldbus.
Proven look & feel
A development group of renowned AS-Interface manufacturers has invested over 200,000 working hours in the ASi-5 joint project. However, the user does not notice any of the technological complexity of ASi-5 - neither when operating the new gateways and digital modules nor when using the software. Operation has remained as simple as ever. As far as project planning is concerned, ASi-5 can basically also be planned without software - however, planning, configuring and parameterizing ASi networks with or without safety is more convenient, safer and faster with software suites from Bihl+Wiedemann, for example. For example, anyone already using the 'Asimon 360' safety software or the 'ASi Control Tools360' for standard applications for ASi-3 can make them fit for ASi-5 applications with a free update and then use the hardware catalog with Bihl+Wiedemann products as usual to select the desired device for the configuration.
The OPC UA interface integrated into the gateways allows production, process and maintenance-relevant data to be forwarded to higher field levels, the cloud and for big data analysis in a standardized and platform-independent manner.
© Bihl+WiedemannOne new function is online bus information: it allows slaves to be easily addressed and inputs and outputs to be parameterized and monitored live. The tool, which is also suitable for quick diagnostics when commissioning systems, uses simple symbols to display slaves that have not yet been configured, for example, in a way that everyone can understand at a glance. The instructions for rectifying faults are clear and provide the user with help for the next steps. All slaves can be individually selected and addressed in the online bus information - for example, to diagnose inputs, set outputs or change parameters. The user can immediately see the specific effects of the updated settings and can optimize the configuration immediately if necessary.
First products
Ready-to-use products for ASi-5 already exist. Bihl+Wiedemann, for example, offers 'ASi-5/ASi-3 Gateways' for Profinet, Ethernet/IP and Ethercat. These integrate two 'ASi-5/ASi-3 masters', ASi-Safety functionality, a web server and an OPC UA server.
The gateways are supplemented by 'ASi-5 digital modules', which can be used to quickly collect different numbers of inputs and outputs in one place. The 'ASi-5 Slave / IO-Link Master' module acts as an IO-Link master for up to four IO-Link devices and enables fast integration of IO-Link into AS-Interface. The 'ASi-5 Counter Module' for up to four two-channel standard sensors rounds off the company's ASi-5 portfolio.
Author:
Thomas Rönitzsch is responsible for corporate communications at Bihl+Wiedemann in Mannheim.
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