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Industry 4.0 and Beyond | ADI
might require more analog output channels, such as 4mA to 20mA,
while another asks for more digital inputs. Or the same customer
can request more analog channels for one platform, whereas the
other platform requires more digital channels. Examples of this
dilemma are shown in Figure 1. As Industry 4.0 rises, manufacturers
need flexible systems that can quickly and easily adapt to changing
requirements, all driven by shifts in consumer behavior and
demand. As a result, they can no longer rely on fixed, large-scale
systems designed for mass-market products and predictable
demand. Instead, flexible systems that can be reconfigured quickly
with minimal downtime and capital investment are required.
SWIO components enable their channels to be programmed, not
only as input or output but also as analog or digital. Furthermore,
they can be efficiently set up for reading 2- or 3-wire resistance
temperature detectors (RTDs) or thermocouples.
Software configurable I/O also acts as a bridge to Ethernet-
based control networks, as it can further be applied to
brownfield installations requiring updates to 10BASE-T1L
Industrial Ethernet systems. It enables the development
of standardized, configurable field I/O units capable
of translating existing HART®-enabled 4mA to
20mA sensors and actuators and 10BASE-T1L or
100-meter fiber backhaul.
Figure 2 shows the AD74413R, a quad-channel SWIO device
designed to meet process control, factory automation, or building
control applications (we're reviewing industrial applications here).
The device is a fully integrated monolithic solution for industrial
input and output operation. The AD74413R features a 16-bit,
sigma-delta (∑-Δ) analog-to-digital converters (ADC) and four
13-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and is packaged in a
9mm × 9mm, 64-lead Lead Frame Chip Scale Package (LFCSP) that
supports a -40°C to +105°C operating temperature range. Each
of the four channels is configured by writing to the configuration
registers over a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus whose clock
can go up to 24MHz. Users can refine the default configurations of
each operation mode via the AD74413R register map.
The AD74413R's 16-bit, sigma-delta ADC can measure either current
or voltage on one or more of the four channels and up to four
diagnostic inputs via a single conversion request. The conversion
rate is up to 4.8kSPS, and optional 50Hz and 60Hz rejection filters
are available.
The per-channel 13-bit R-string DACs are inherently monotonic and
linear. These DACs support current outputs up to 25mA and have
open-circuit detection capability for fault diagnostics. Similarly,
they can provide voltage outputs with a true 0V to 11V range.
Figure 2: SW configurable I/O component and a typical application
example. (Source: Analog Devices Inc.)
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