SIEMENS
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Siemens IC 10 · 2017
AS-Interface
Introduction
Communication overview
2
■
Overview
AS-Interface is an open, international standard according to
EN 50295 and IEC 62026-2 for process and field communica-
tion. Leading manufacturers of actuators and sensors all over
the world support the AS-Interface. Interested companies are
provided with the electrical and mechanical specifications by
the AS-Interface Association.
AS-Interface is a single master system. For automation systems
from Siemens, there are communications processors (CPs) com-
munications modules (CMs) and routers (links) that control the
process or field communication as masters, and actuators and
sensors that are activated as AS-Interface slaves.
AS-Interface in the SIMATIC NET communications landscape
■
Benefits
An important characteristic of the AS-Interface technology is the
use of a shared two-wire cable for data transmission and distri-
bution of auxiliary power to the sensors and actuators. A power
supply unit that meets the requirements of the AS-Interface
transmission method and has an external data decoupling
module if required is used for the distribution of auxiliary power.
The AS-Interface cable used for the wiring is mechanically
coded and hence protected against polarity reversal and can be
easily contacted by the insulation piercing method.
Elaborately wired control cables in the control cabinet and mar-
shaling racks can be replaced by AS-Interface.
The AS-Interface cable can be connected to any points thanks
to a specially developed cable and connection by the insulation
piercing method.
With this concept you become extremely flexible and achieve
high savings.
■
Application
I/O data exchange
The AS-i master automatically transfers the inputs and outputs
between the controller and the digital and analog AS-Interface
slaves. Slave diagnostics information is forwarded to the control
system when required.
The latest AS-Interface masters according to the AS-Interface
Specification V3.0 support integrated analog value processing.
This means that data exchange with analog AS-Interface slaves
is just as easy as with digital slaves.
Command interface
In addition to I/O data exchange with binary and analog
AS-Interface slaves, the AS-Interface masters can provide a
number of other functions through the command interface.
Hence it is possible, for example, for slave addresses to be
issued, parameter values transferred or configuration informa-
tion read out from user programs.
For more information,
see
.
More information
Home page,
see www.siemens.com/as-interface
Industry Mall,
see www.siemens.com/product?as-interface
PC/PG/IPC
Contro ler
Contro ler
Industrial Ethernet
PROFIBUS
PROFIBUS PA
Laptop
Motion Control
Systems
Notebook
SINAMICS
Drives
Numeric
Control
Numeric Control
Mobile
Panel
SIMOCODE
pro
PROFINET
ASM456
PC
Contro ler
PC/PG/IPC
Contro ler
Contro ler
Security
Link
Drives
Link
Wireless
Devices
PC/PG
Access
Point
Mobile
Panel
SINEMA
Remote
Connect
Database
Server
DP-Slave
Motion Control
Systems
Contro ler
Contro ler
AS-Interface
RF180C
Access
Point
Link
Industrial Ethernet
Switches
IWLAN
RCoax Cable
Access
Point
Client
Module
IK10_20002a
OpenVPN
Visual
identification
Control and
monitoring system
Telecontrol and
substation control
Remote access,
e.g. via teleservice
Control and
monitoring system
Field device for
intrinsica ly safe area
Coupler
Field devices
Code
reading
systems
RFID
system
Telecontrol and
substation
control
Compact
feeder
Compact
feeder
Compact
feeder
Compact
feeder
Field devices
Field device
Power
supply
Power
supply
Signa ling column
IO-Link
master
RFID
system
S7-1200 with
CP±1242-7
Protection and
monitoring
devices
IO-Link
module
IO-Link
module
RFID
system
RFID
system
Protection and
monitoring
devices
Slave
Slave
Slave
Slave
Slave
© Siemens AG 2016