Example of a system configuration

Sensors, valves, actuators, drives – many different components operate on the field level. All of these actuators/sensors must be connected to an automation system. Distributed I/O devices are used for this; to a certain extent as intelligent outposts directly on-site.

As a cost-effective alternative to the cable harness, AS-Interface links the components of the field level by means of a simple 2-wire cable for data and power.
AS-Interface is standardized as an international industrial standard according to EN 50295 and IEC 62026-2 and is supported worldwide by a number of member companies of the AS-International Association, including the leading manufacturers of actuators and sensors. AS-Interface is used where individual actuators/sensors are spatially distributed throughout the machine (e.g. in a bottle filling plant).

AS-Interface is a single master system. There are communications processors (CPs) for SIMATIC and for SIMOTION and links that control field communication as masters. With the AS-Interface specification V2.1 or V3.0, up to 62 slaves can be connected. The AS-Interface specification V3.0 allows a maximum of 1000 digital inputs/outputs to be connected (profile S-7.A.A: 8DI/8DO as A/B slave). New profiles allow extended addressing (A/B) to be used for analog slaves, too. The analog value transmission is accelerated via "fast analog profiles". Thanks to the integrated analog value processing in the masters, the access to analog values is just as easy as the access to digital values. For connecting the AS-Interface to PROFIBUS DP, the DP/AS-i LINK Advanced, DP/AS-i F-Link or DP/AS-Interface LINK 20E are available with degree of protection IP20. This enables the use of AS-Interface as a subordinate network for PROFIBUS DP. The IE/AS-i LINK PN IO allows AS-Interface to be connected to Industrial Ethernet and thereby a direct embedding in the PROFINET environment.

Cost savings

AS-Interface replaces costly cable harnesses and connects binary actuators and sensors such as proximity switches, valves or indicator lights, as well as analog signals with a controller such as SIMATIC.

In practice this means: Installation runs smoothly because data and power are transported together over one single line. Thanks to the specially developed ribbon cable (yellow in color) and insulation displacement technology, the AS-Interface slaves can be connected anywhere.
This concept is extremely flexible and has a great effect on savings. No expert knowledge is required for installation and commissioning. Furthermore, through simple cable laying and the clear cable structure as well as the special design of the cable, you not only significantly reduce the risk of errors, but also service and maintenance costs.