IO-Link opens up new fields of application with new technologies

The IO-Link community is focusing on consistent further development of the technology spectrum for the bidirectional IO-Link sensor/actuator point-to-point connection. New features include a “low-power long-range” wireless technology based on IO-Link and Mioty as well as an IoT connection via MQTT.

IO-Link continues to grow. This is reflected on the one hand in the large number of 51.6 million installed nodes at the turn of 2023/2024, and on the other hand in the variety of different devices. The IODDfinder (IO Device Description) now lists more than 11,000 different devices, making it the largest database for sensors and actuators with IO-Link. With currently 712,000 hits per month, the IODDfinder has become a central tool for the IO-Link community hosted by PI (Profibus & Profinet International). The long-term IO-Link strategy focuses on the consistent further development of the technology spectrum in order to open up new fields of application for manufacturers and users and thus enable further growth.

By enhancing transmission technology, IO-Link can also penetrate and open up new markets. Smart Cities applications need “low-power, long-range” wireless technology for sensors, for example. This technology - also known as narrow band IoT - is being implemented through cooperation by IO-Link and Mioty. Thanks to this cooperation, both technologies have a huge benefit. IO-Link is getting additional wireless transmission, and Mioty is benefiting from an established, globally recognized data model which is ideally integrated into automation systems.

The enhancement of data with precise time information represented another planned expansion of the transmission technology. Using so-called time stamps, sensor signals can be synchronized with actuator responses independently of cycle times in a highly precise way, for example. It will also be possible to correlate measurement data from different sources for time-accurate evaluations. An example of this would be the multi-channel vibration analysis of machines. Time accuracy of under 50 μs is being striven for, and this represents a significant improvement over the cyclical transmission of 2 ms. Time stamps with an absolute time can be used for the time-accurate logging of events in the devices, for example.

Another key element of the IO-Link strategy is the IIoT connection of the IO-Link level to the world of IT. Successful JSON connection via the REST API will continue to advance MQTT support in an upcoming release, thereby offering a streamlined, highly functional connection, such as to cloud-based monitoring services or asset management.

Another building block for future growth is the ease of device use in the applications of machine and system producers. Thanks to profiles for different device classes, data models are being standardized and can also be used in a standardized way. Profiles for the smart lights, identification, smart actuators and smart power device classes are currently in the works.