KR20160147901A - Terminal for an automation system, terminal arrangement, and method for operating a terminal for an automation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a processing device (not shown) having at least one sensor 22 and / or at least one actuator 21 and for processing motion signals for processing sensor signals and / or actuators 21 Characterized in that the processing device comprises a parameter storage device (18), wherein parameters for processing the sensor signals and / or parameters for processing the sensor signals are stored in the parameter storage device Parameters for processing the motion commands are stored and the processing device 17 is connected to the communication interface 15 for output and / or to receive sensor data and / or parameters and / or motion commands. According to the invention, the treatment device 17 comprises switching means for at least partial switching of the treatment device 17 between a first functional state and a second functional state, In the first functional state, for outputting sensor data and / or parameters to the communication interface (15) when an external request signal arrives, and for providing an initialization signal in the second functional state, 15) for outputting parameters stored in the parameter storage device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a terminal for an automation system, a terminal arrangement, and a method for operating a terminal for an automation system,

The present invention relates to a sensor having at least one sensor for providing a sensor signal dependent on physical parameters and / or having at least one actuator for providing motion in dependence on the motion signal, To a terminal for an automation system having a processing device configured to process sensor signals of the sensor and / or to process kinetic commands with kinetic signals for the actuator, Wherein parameters for processing the sensor signals and / or parameters for processing the motion commands are stored in the parameter storage, and the processing device is adapted for outputting sensor data and / or parameters And / or motion commands and / or parameters For reception, in particular exclusively, it is connected to the communication interface depending on the IO link communication protocol. The invention also relates to a terminal arrangement and a method for operating a terminal for an automation system.

Automation systems are conventionally used to automatically operate machines such as machine tools or assembling devices or facilities such as chemical reactors or bio reactors. At this time, a host controller, in particular a programmable memory controller (SPS), is used to control or control various processes in the machine or facility. These processes may relate, for example, to motions of mechanical parts of the machine or may involve metering or mixing processes within the facility. Depending on the degree of complexity of the machine or the facility, the automation system may include one or more system levels and may be configured to enable orderly control of the machine or facility according to a predetermined flow At the system levels, data such as motion commands are output by the control device, and sensor measurements are received by the control device.

For example, in automation systems, communication is provided via a field bus at a first system level, and complicated data records such as complex handling instructions and sensor data, such as motion commands, Can be communicated between the upper control device as field bus telegrams in digital form and the field devices connected to the field bus. In particular, the field devices can be used to control the information contained in the fieldbus telegrams, in particular the motion commands and other control commands, in order to enable actuation of terminals such as actuators or sensors, Is used to switch to simpler signal forms of signal level, especially switching signals or control signals.

Typically, communication between the field device and the connected actuators and sensors is provided using simple switching signals, wherein the switching signal is selectively " Low " or " High " Level, especially in the voltage range of 0 to 24 Volts. The actuation of the actuators through the field device and the communication between the field device and the sensors are provided here in the form of electrical point-to-point. Correspondingly, each sensor or actuator is assigned a separate cable connection with the field device.

So-called IO link communication protocols are used as a fully compliant replacement for transfer of 1 byte switching signals between field devices and actuators or sensors. In the IO link communication protocol, a digital communication signal is delivered via the same simple retention cable connection instead of a simple switching signal, so that additional information can be exchanged between the field device and the connected terminal. The information relates to parameters for parameterization of sensors and / or actuators incorporated in the field device, for example. For actuators, motion commands for actuating the actuators may also be conveyed beyond a pure switching process and, for example, to enable proportional actuation of the actuators.

For the execution of communications in accordance with the IO link communication protocol, the terminal must have a suitable communication interface, which is connected on its side with a processing device, in particular a microprocessor, formed in the terminal. At this time, in order for the processing device and the communication interface to utilize the extended function of the terminal through the transfer of the digitized data records, the terminal with the corresponding equipment is selectively provided as a so-called " Device " So that it can be coupled to the so-called " Master " using a communication protocol.

Alternatively, the IO link capable terminal may be operated in a classical manner in a field device that is not equipped with equipment for the use of an IO link communication protocol, in which case only the switching signals as motion commands or as sensor data It is possible to transmit only. The advantage of the IO link communication protocol is thus that correspondingly equipped terminals can be integrated into existing machines or facilities for the output of switching signals and / or for processing and, alternatively, with the use of IO link communication protocols And can be connected to suitably equipped field devices with extended functional scope.

The IO link communication protocol is standardized in standard IEC 61131-9 under the name " Single-drop digital communication interface for small sensors and actuators " (SDCI) for small sensors and actuators, Data as well as digital communication protocols have been established, and the terminals can exchange data with field devices via the digital communication protocol. A terminal formed as an IO link sensor and / or an IO link actuator may illustratively include Maxim's Device Transceiver MAX14821. The corresponding IO link master can be equipped with the IO link master transceiver MAX14824.

In application of boundary conditions known from the IO link communication protocol, the parameterization of IO linkable terminals is provided, for example, via a field device formed as an IO link master, which has a corresponding master communication module for this purpose, Each terminal connected by point-to-point connection can be parameterized individually. In the case where the use of terminals in an automation system in which field devices do not work according to the IO link communication protocol is provided, parameterization of the terminals is provided using a separate programming device, And may be provided through the communication interface of each terminal using a programming device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal, a terminal arrangement, and a method for operating a terminal, which enable simplified parameterization.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention having the features of claim 1. Wherein the processing device includes switching means for at least partial switching of the processing device between a first functional state and a second functional state, wherein the processing device is operable, in the first functional state, And to output sensor data and / or parameters to the communication interface upon receipt of the signal, and for outputting the parameters stored in the parameter storage device for providing the initialization signal and in the communication interface in the second functional state have.

At this time, the first functional state corresponds to a conventional manner of operation for the processing device and for the communication interface of the terminal. When the terminal is connected to a conventional non-IO linkable field device, transfer and / or reception of switching signals occur between the terminal and the field device in the first functional state. If the terminal is connected to an IO link capable field device, the exchange of data between the field device and the terminal occurs according to the IO link communication protocol in the first functional state. At this time, the terminal acts as a " device " for the field device working as a " master ". The transferred sensor data may additionally or alternatively comprise information and / or diagnostic information about the states of the connected actuators in addition to the measured values of the physical variables. The parameters transmitted from the parameter storage device may include parameters for processing the sensor signals and / or parameters for processing the motion commands.

In the second functional state, the terminal according to the present invention may occupy a master function, because he can output an initialization signal reserved for the " master " to the other terminal in the second functional state, Since some or all of the parameters contained in the storage device can also be output to other terminals. This is particularly important if the terminal is coupled to another IO-link capable terminal via a connecting cable, and if the parameters stored in the parametric storage device are to be transmitted to this other terminal. Thereby, the terminal according to the present invention can be operated for other terminals as the type of programming device in the second functional state, without requiring any other technical measures. The switching means assigned to the processing device may be formed, for example, in the form of a switching technically realized switch and / or in the form of a program module which is executable on the processing device. In the switching of the processing device to the second functional state, corresponding use of the terminal is performed out of its specification as a " device " in the meaning of the IO link communication protocol. The parameters delivered from the parameter storage device in the second functional state may include parameters for processing of sensor signals and / or parameters for processing of motion commands.

Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Wherein the operating device is configured to provide a switching signal to the switching means when the operating device and the display device are assigned to the processing device and the display device displays the respective functional status of the processing device . For example, the operating device is formed as a push button switch, a rotary button, or an operating surface, and enables an operator input by an operator. This operator input can be adjusted, for example, to switch the processing unit of the terminal between the first functional state and the second functional state. In a corresponding operator input, the operating device is provided for providing a switching signal to the switching means, whereby a desired switching between the two functional states of the processing device is carried out. The display device can be detected either as an individual illuminant or as an illuminant arrangement, in particular as a multi-segment display or display, and / or for acoustic display of the respective functional state of the processing arrangement or otherwise May be formed for display. In order to display to the user that perhaps occurring transmission of parameters between the terminal and other terminals according to the invention should not be interrupted, it is preferable that the display device continuously display the second functional status during the second functional status Display is advantageous.

In an advantageous refinement of the invention, it is provided that the operating device is formed for parameter input into the parameter storage device and / or the display device is formed for displaying the input parameters. Use of the operating device for parameter entry is particularly important if the terminal should be operated with an automated system that is not configured for data transfer according to the IO link communication protocol. Thereby, in the parametrization of the terminal, a master according to the IO link communication protocol is not available, allowing simple parameterization of each terminal. In this case, with the aid of the operating device, for example, the determination of the switching points in a terminal formed as a sensor can be carried out and the switching points can be switched between the terminals, Resulting in an output of the switching signal. In order to be able to convey the parameterization of the terminal performed with the aid of the operating device to other IO-linkable terminals in a simple manner without the need to use an IO link master or a separate programming device, Can be performed with the help of a terminal according to the invention. It is also advantageous if the display device displays the input parameters or parameters in order to enable the user to inspect the desired settings.

In another embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that said communication interface is formed specifically for connection of only one, in particular exactly one, connecting cable. Whereby the communication interface exactly corresponds to the presets provided in accordance with the IO link communication protocol for connection of a connection cable suitable for communication according to the IO link communication protocol. Advantageously, said communication interface comprises three or five connections, each line of a connecting cable according to the standard being connectable to said connections. This is particularly advantageous if the terminal does not include other electrical connections beyond the communication interface provided for connecting the connection cable, since this allows a particularly simple configuration of the terminal to be guaranteed.

Advantageously, the communication interface is configured to receive motion commands and parameters from the host controller or from the field device, and to transmit the sensor data and parameters to the host controller or to the field device, And wherein the processing device is adapted to transmit the initialization signal to the communication interface so that the communication module has the capability to provide an initialization signal to the communication interface in the second functional state of the processing device, Lt; / RTI > is provided for forming. The communication module in the terminal according to the invention is designed for a function as a " device " in the sense of an IO link communication protocol, and additional functions are not provided for cost reasons. Whereby the communication module can convert the motion commands and parameters arriving at the communication interface into a data format that can be processed by the processing device. Further, the communication module is formed to convert the sensor data and parameters provided by the processing apparatus into a data format according to the IO link communication protocol.

The communication module relates in particular to an integrated circuit formed solely for use as a " device " in the sense of the IO link communication protocol in its conception. However, in accordance with the present invention, actuation of the communication module in the second functional state of the processing device is performed by providing an initialization signal to the communication interface through the communication module and providing another IO linkable To the terminal, thereby allowing to introduce the parameterization procedure of this other IO-linkable terminal. Illustratively, the communication module operates in a manner that goes beyond its standard functions. This is made possible by suitable actuation on the processing device side. Advantageously, said communication module comprises a level converter or is formed as a level converter. Particularly preferably, the signal levels and signal sequences corresponding to the second functional state are predetermined by the processing device, and the signal levels and the signal sequences are changed in a suitable manner by the communication module, In the second functional state, the desired initialization signal may be provided to the communication interface.

An object of the present invention is achieved by a terminal arrangement comprising a first terminal and a second terminal according to a second aspect of the invention and having a connection cable for transferring initialization signals and parameters between the terminals, 1 terminal and the second terminal both have a communication interface configured according to an IO link communication protocol, wherein at least one of the terminals is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 5. With such a terminal arrangement, it is possible to parameterize terminals capable of IO linking through the terminal according to the present invention, wherein not only the terminal according to the present invention but also the terminals to be parameterized can be provided with exactly one IO link communication interface Respectively. After the execution of the parameterization process, both terminals can be used internally in an automation system having IO linkable field devices as " devices " in a conventional manner or as terminals in an automation system without IO linkable field devices .

The object of the present invention is achieved by a method according to claim 7 according to a third aspect of the invention. The method is provided for operating a terminal for an automation system, wherein the terminal comprises a sensor and / or an actuator and a processing device, the processing device being operable for outputting sensor data and / or parameters and / And / or parameters, in particular only in accordance with the IO link communication protocol, with the processing device being able to operate in a first functional state and in a second functional state, In the first functional state, communication with the host controller or with the field device, in particular bi-directional, is performed, and the terminal provides a parameterization function for other terminals which have to be parameterized in the second functional state.

In another embodiment of the method, it is provided that the terminal performs communication in accordance with the IO link communication protocol with the host controller and / or the field device in the first functional state, The provision of sensor data and / or parameters via the terminal is performed when an external request signal of the host controller or the field device is present.

In an advantageous refinement of the method, the terminal is configured to transmit the stored parameter from the parameter storage device via the communication interface in accordance with the IO link communication protocol in accordance with the following steps to provide the parameterization function in the second functional state: The method comprising the steps of: providing an initialization signal to the communication interface for delivery to a terminal to be parameterized; receiving a ready signal from the terminal to be parameterized; Providing parameters to the communication interface for delivery; and receiving an acknowledgment signal from the terminal to be parameterized.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings.

1 shows a first embodiment of an automation system having a first communication level formed as a field bus and a second communication level formed according to an IO link specification,
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an automation system having a first communication level implemented as a field bus and a second communication level working with switching signals.

The automation system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is formed to operate a machining machine or process technology facility not shown in detail, including a number of actuators and sensors not shown in detail. In order to adjust the functions of the processing machine or of the process technology facility, the automation system 1 comprises an upper control device 2, which is formed, for example, as an accumulation program controller (SPC). The upper control device 2 is formed for bidirectional data communication according to a predetermined fieldbus protocol through a field bus 3 with a plurality of field devices and is connected to a field device formed as a bus coupler 4 are only illustratively shown. The field devices are connected, for example, to sensors and / or actuators for providing sensor data to the control device 2 or for executing the motion commands of the control device 2. [ At this time, the control device 2 and the field devices communicate via the fieldbus 3 at a first communication level.

A second communication level is provided for communication between the field device 4 implemented as a bus coupler and actuators and / or sensors connected thereto, also referred to as terminals, and described in detail below. It should be considered that for this communication level, a number of terminals of this type may be provided within the processing machine or process technology facility, and therefore as simple a communication as possible at the second communication level should be provided for cost reasons. To this end, the use of an IO link communication protocol in the automation system 1 is provided, and correspondingly the bus coupler 4 is implemented as an IO link master and is connected via the field bus 3 to the upper control device 2 It is used to receive fieldbus telegrams and to send fieldbus telegrams to the host controller 2.

The bus coupler 4 is provided with a plurality of connection portions 5 which are used as master connections according to the IO link communication protocol and can be used for transferring data to the terminals 6 to 11. At this time, a connection between the bus coupler 4 and the terminals 6 to 11 is provided through unshielded connecting cables according to the standard, which are formed, for example, in three or five cores.

The terminals 6 to 11 are " devices " in the sense of an IO link communication protocol and each comprise one IO link communication interface 15 formed for connecting a connection cable 12. [ In the following, the function of the terminal according to the present invention is exemplarily described based on the terminal 6 formed as a sensor device.

The terminal 6 is shown purely schematically in FIG. The components of the terminal 6 described in detail below can be formed as discrete electronic components or at least partly as components of an integrated circuit depending on the configuration scheme.

The terminal 6 includes a communication module 16 connected to the IO link communication interface 15, a processing device 17 connected to the communication module 16, a parameter storage device 18, an operation device 19, A display device 20, an actuator 21 and a sensor 22, which are likewise provided to be connected with the communication device 17 as well.

In the connection of the terminal 6 via the connection cable 12 in the bus coupler 4 formed as an IO link master, the electrical communication signals coded according to the IO link communication protocol arrive at the IO link communication interface 15 do. These communication signals may include, for example, motion commands for the actuator 21 and / or parameters for the actuator 21 and the sensor 22. The communication module 16 is formed, in particular, as a level converter type, for converting the communication signals into internal signals. The changed signals are transmitted from the communication module 16 to the processing device 17. [

The communication module 16 of the level converter type is also provided for communicating the internal signals of the processing unit 17 to the bus coupler 4 via the IO link communication interface 15 and the connection cable 12 Communication signals. These internal signals provided by the processing unit 17 may relate to the sensor data processed from the sensor signals of the sensor 22, particularly using the parameters. It may also relate to parameters, in particular parameters for the processing of sensor signals and / or parameters for the processing of kinetic commands from the parameter storage device 18, which parameters are transmitted via the bus coupler 4 The inquiry is selected from the parameter storage device 18 by the processing device 17 and provided to the bus coupler 4 via the communication module 16, the IO link communication interface 15 and the connection cable 12 .

Actuator 21 and sensor 22 are each connected to processor 17 so that processor 17 can provide motion signals to actuator 21 and receive sensor signals from sensor 22 . By way of example only, the actuator 21 is formed as an ultrasonic source configured to emit ultrasonic vibration to the periphery of the terminal 6. [ The sensor 22 is likewise formed as an ultrasonic receiver, purely illustratively, the ultrasonic receiver being capable of receiving ultrasonic vibrations reflected from objects, and depending on the received ultrasonic vibrations, . For example, the terminal 6 may be formed as a non-contact type gap measuring apparatus.

With the aid of an operating device 19 and a display device 20 which are likewise electrically coupled to the processing device 17, for example the local parameterization of the terminal 6, in particular by means of parameters for the processing of sensor signals and / May be performed in connection with the parameters for processing the instructions. To this end, the operator can provide operating instructions to the processing device 17 with the aid of the operating device 19 formed as a button. These manipulations result in configuration changes in the processing unit 17, in particular in accordance with a predefined manipulation structure, and in particular result in a change of parameters in the parameter storage 18. [ Advantageously, said performed changes or said altered parameters are displayed visibly to the user with the aid of a display device 20, which may for example be a liquid crystal display.

Alternatively, the parameterization of the terminal 6 may be performed via a programming device connectable to the bus coupler 4, which is not shown, or via the data input device 23 connected to the host control device 2. [ Other terminals 7 to 11 can likewise be connected to the bus coupler 44 under the use of a suitable connecting cable 12 through which the parameterization is likewise carried out via the bus coupler 4 or via the data input device 23. [ And the upper control device 2.

Alternatively, it may be provided to perform direct parameterization of the terminals 7 to 11 via direct coupling with these terminals and the terminal 6 according to the invention. Illustratively, this coupling between the terminal 6 and the terminal 8 is provided with the aid of a parameterizing cable 24 which can be inserted into the communication interface 15 of the terminals 6, 8. The parameterizing cable 24 for voltage supply of both terminals 6, 8 includes a voltage source 25, for example a power supply or a battery.

This type of direct parameterization of the terminals 7 to 11 in the automation system 1 according to figure 1 can be achieved for example by means of the terminal 6 firstly via the upper control device 2 and its associated data input device 23, If it is parameterized via the bus coupler 4 and a programming device (not shown) and if the function of the parameterized terminal 6 is subsequently confirmed during the operation of the automation system 1. The terminal 6 may then be uncoupled from the bus coupler 4 during the switching off of the automation system 1 and may be coupled to the terminal 8 and / To 11).

The user then controls the processing unit 17 with the aid of the operating device 19 from the first functional state provided for communication with the bus coupler 4 to perform the parameterization procedure for the connected terminal 8, It is provided to switch to a second functional state provided for parameterization of the terminal 8 connected to the interface 15. [ In addition to this switching, the communication module 16 is connected to the processor 17 via a switching means, which may be a program module or a software module of the processor 17, not shown, The command output of the IO link communication interface 15 is performed, thereby causing provision of the initialization signal to the IO link communication interface 15. At this time, preferably a suitable signal is provided by the processing unit 17 and is changed to the necessary initialization signal by the communication module 16, especially of the level converter type.

The initialization signal is in particular an inversion of the signal level applied to the communication interfaces 15 of the two terminals 6, 8 in the connection of the two terminals 6, 8 via the parameterizing cable 24, . ≪ / RTI > It is known to the terminal 8 via this initialization signal that the parameterization of this terminal 8 should now be performed in a manner provided in accordance with the IO link communication protocol. The terminal 8 may provide the terminal 6 with a ready signal upon arrival of the initialization signal via the parameterization cable 24. After the arrival of the ready signal in the processing unit 17 of the terminal 6, the processing unit 17 determines the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 18, in particular parameters for processing sensor signals and / And provides the parameters for processing to the terminal 8 via the parameterization cable 24 in the encoding corresponding to the IO link communication protocol. After the transfer of the parameters is finished, the terminal 8 to be parameterized sends an acknowledgment signal to the terminal 6 to confirm complete parameter delivery.

Illustratively, after the sending of the acknowledgment signal, it may be provided that the terminal 6 is switched from the second functional state for the processing apparatus 17 to the first functional state for the processing apparatus 17. Thereby, not only the terminal 6 but also the terminal 8 are prepared for the formal use as IO link terminals or " devices ".

The automation system 41 shown in FIG. 2 is similar to the automation system 41 shown in FIG. 2 in that the bus coupler 44 is not formed according to the IO link communication standard, but rather is provided to provide switching signals to the terminals 6 - Only by the fact that it is formed for receiving switching signals from the automation system 1 according to FIG. In the automation system 41, the connection cable 12 as well as the IO link capable terminals 6 to 11 can be used in the same manner as in the automation system 1 according to FIG. However, only the switching signals are transmitted through the connecting cables 12, which causes movement of the actuator between the resting state and the functional state, for example. Also, only the switching signals are transmitted from the terminals including the sensors to the bus coupler 44, as exemplarily in the terminal 6.

This type of switching signal transmission can be performed, for example, by detecting the distance of an object to be sensed, which is located below the predetermined boundary of the terminal 6 formed as an interval measuring device. The determination of this boundary can be performed through parameterization of the terminal 6, in particular with the aid of the operating device 19 and the display device 20. In this way, the parameters inputted into the terminal 6, in particular the parameters for processing the sensor signals and / or the parameters for processing the motion commands, are passed on to the other terminals 8 to 11 A direct parameter transfer between the terminal 6 and other terminals 8 to 11 already described with reference to Figure 1 is provided. At this time, the terminals 8 to 11 may optionally be configured in the same way as the terminal 6 and thereby also be provided for parameterization of other terminals, or the terminals 8 to 11 may be provided May be formed as standard terminals according to the IO link communication protocol, thereby not enabling parameterization of other terminals.

Claims (9)

A terminal for an automation system (1; 41)
The terminal for the automation system has at least one sensor (22) for providing a sensor signal dependent on physical parameters and / or at least one actuator (21) for providing motion in dependence on the motion signal, (17) for processing sensor signals of said sensor (22) with sensor data and / or for processing kinetic commands with kinetic signals for said actuator (21)
The processing device (17) includes a parameter storage device (18) in which parameters for processing the sensor signals and / or parameters for processing the motion commands are stored,
The processor 17 is connected to the communication interface 15 for output of sensor data and / or parameters and / or for the reception of motion commands and / or parameters, in particular only in accordance with the IO link communication protocol,
The processing device (17) comprises switching means for at least partial switching of the processing device (17) between a first functional state and a second functional state,
Wherein the processing unit (17) is configured to output sensor data and / or parameters to the communication interface (15) when an external request signal arrives in the first functional state, and in the second functional state, Characterized in that the communication interface (15) is formed for outputting parameters stored in the parameter storage device and for the communication interface (15). The method according to claim 1,
An operation device 19 and a display device 20 are assigned to the processing device 17,
Characterized in that the operating device (19) is formed for providing a switching signal to the switching means, and the display device (20) is formed for displaying the respective functional status of the processing device Of the terminal. 3. The method of claim 2,
Characterized in that the operating device (19) is formed for parameter input into the parameter storage device (18) and / or the display device (20) is formed for displaying input parameters terminal. The method according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
Characterized in that the communication interface (15) is formed in particular only for the connection of one, in particular exactly one, connecting cable (12, 24). The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,
The communication interface 15 includes a communication module 16 for the IO link terminals 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and the communication module is connected to the field device 4 And to send the sensor data and parameters to the upper control device (2) or to the field device (4)
The processing device 17 is adapted to communicate with the communication module 16 in a manner that enables the communication module 16 to provide an initialization signal to the communication interface 15 in the second functional state of the processing device 17. [ Wherein the terminal is formed for actuation of an automation system. As terminal arrangements,
The terminal arrangement comprising:
The first terminal 6 and the second terminals 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are both a first terminal 6 and a second terminal 7, 8, 9, Wherein at least one of said terminals is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a communication interface (15) configured according to a protocol, The terminals 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and
And a connection cable (24) for transferring initialization signals and parameters between said terminals (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). A method for operating a terminal (6) for an automation system (1; 41)
The terminal 6 comprises a sensor 22 and / or an actuator 21 and a processing device 17, which are arranged for outputting sensor data and / or parameters and / In particular, it is connected to the communication interface 15 in accordance with the IO link communication protocol,
The processing device may be operated in a first functional state and in a second functional state,
The terminal 6 performs communication with the upper level control device 2 or with the field device 4 in the first functional state in particular bidirectional communication and the terminal 6 has to be parameterized in the second functional state , And providing parameterization functions for other terminals (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) that are connected to the network. 8. The method of claim 7,
The terminal 6 performs communication in accordance with the IO link communication protocol with the host controller 2 or the field device 4 in the first functional state,
Characterized in that the provision of sensor data and / or parameters via the terminal (6) to the communication interface (15) is performed when there is an external request signal of the upper control device (2) or the field device The method for operating a terminal for an automation system. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
The terminal (6) is stored from the parameter storage device (18) via the communication interface (15) in accordance with the IO link communication protocol according to the following steps to provide the parameterization function in the second functional state ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > of: < / RTI > a method for operating a terminal for an automation system,
Providing an initialization signal to the communication interface (15) for delivery to a terminal (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) to be parameterized,
Receiving a ready signal from the terminal (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) to be parameterized,
Providing parameters to the communication interface (15) for delivery to the terminal (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) to be parameterized; ≪ / RTI >

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