Page 22 - EngineerIT August 2022 Digital

INDUSTRY 4.0

Solving Industry 4.0 challenges

with software configurable I/O

By Bien Verlito Javier, Product Applications Engineer, and Jefferson Eco,
Application Development Engineer at Analog Devices.

his article presents a software configurable input/output Figure 1 shows the evolution of industrial connectivity from legacy
(I/O) device and its dedicated isolated power and data analogue signaling to smart, digitally connected sensors with
Tsolution that helps solve the challenges in bridging the software configurable I/O, enabling a seamless transition.
legacy analogue signaling to the industrial ethernet. It explains Analog Devices’ AD74413R software configurable I/O
the benefits of channel flexibility, fault detection and diagnostic coupled with the ADP1032 2-channel isolated micropower
capabilities that are inherent to the software configurable I/O management unit (µPMU) is one example of a robust software
device. System-level evaluation results are also presented to configurable I/O solution. The AD74413R is a quad-channel
showcase the overall benefits of the system solution including software configurable I/O that is equipped with automatic fault
system robustness and power dissipation. detection and diagnostic capabilities. The ADP1032 is tailored
Advances in industrial ethernet have enabled smart, to the AD74413R to provide isolated power and data channels,
connected manufacturing in factories. Field instruments must which allow for a compact and isolated software configurable
be connected to the ethernet domain using legacy analogue I/O system.
signaling (that is, 4 to 20 mA, 0 V to 10 V). This presents
challenges for fixed function I/O modules. System designers Channel flexibility
need to design multiple modules to cover the different sensors For various industrial applications with varying I/O
and actuators. However, some of the channels in a fixed function requirements, system designers need a flexible system that
module may be unused and in surplus. A software configurable can be quickly configured to adapt to the demand. The four
I/O module allows for an efficient use of all channels in an I/O channels of the AD74413R can be configured into various input
system. Crowded cabling could cause incorrect connections of and output modes such as:
sensors and actuators to these fixed function I/Os. Debugging • High impedance
and fixing these faults is time-consuming and requires manually • Voltage input
reconnecting the loads to the I/O channels. • Voltage output
A software configurable I/O system provides a seamless • Externally powered current input
transition from legacy analogue signaling to the industrial ethernet • Loop-powered current input
domain. Software configurable I/O devices can provide any • Current output
function (analogue I/O, digital I/O, RTD) on any channel through • Digital input logic
remote configuration, which helps ease commissioning. This • Loop-powered digital input
flexibility combined with diagnostics capability allows for remote • RTD measurement
troubleshooting, thus saving time and effort for technicians.
A single set of external discrete components is required to
support any function on any of the four channels, offering
full flexibility. If an actuator or sensor is incorrectly wired, the
channel can be reconfigured with a single SPI.

Having all functions available in a single package requires fewer
components in the hardware design, which leads to:
• Lower assembly and test costs
• Higher reliability and easier debugging
• Simplified procurement
• Higher channel density compared to discrete
implementations of universal I/O

Figure 1: A software configurable I/O bridging legacy device to the Figure 2 shows the required external components to support all
ethernet. functions of the AD74413R, regardless of the connected load.

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