Depending on the system, different sensor interfaces are required. For example, in automotive applications, Controller Area Network (CAN) or Local Interconnect Network (LIN) are common networks for communicating sensor data. However, the SAE J2716 SENT (for Single Edge Nibble Transmission) protocol has been developed and companies have started to introduce products that meet it.
In industrial and commercial sensor interface applications, the IO-Link Consortium’s IO-Link is one of the many protocols for communicating sensor and actuator data. Supported by several automation companies, the field level point-to-point connection system is compatible with existing I/O standards. ZMD AG ZIOL2401 integrated circuit (IC) is a high-voltage line driver for IO-Link and standard I/O applications.
To make IO Link easier to implement, ZMDI developed both starter kit and a lab kit. Designers can implement serial interfaces and control basic I/O and switching functions with the ZIOL2401 Starter Kit that consists of the ZIOL2401 USB stick, a board with a microcontroller, ZIOL2401 IC and USB interface.
To develop more complex applications and transfer the results to an existing system, the ZIOL2401 Lab Kit consists of three separate boards: a microcontroller board, a cable-board and the ZIOL2401 prototyping board. Both kits have development software that allows designers to individually program bit-level functions via a graphical interface or use a command-line interface.
For more information on ZMDI’s IO-Link Master and Device Evaluation Tools, click here.