Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1512203
46 ADI | Engineering a More Sustainable Future Communications Interface Most industrial sensors are designed to connect to a process controller using one ( or more ) industrial networks, including the many variants of field bus or Industrial Ethernet. This requires an application-specific integrated circuit ( ASIC ) to implement the selected network protocols. However, this approach has several disadvantages. Firstly, including a network-specific ASIC in the sensor design significantly increases cost, especially if the industrial networks are proprietary. It also limits the market for a sensor to those customers using that network. For the same sensor to work with different network protocols requires redesigning to include the necessary ASIC, which can be time- 5 consuming, high risk, and expensive. Finally, the number and type of diagnostic features vary significantly by network type ( with some providing none ) . Depending on the choice, it can be difficult for factory operators to identify and maintain sensors and any performance issues that arise once they have been installed in the field. A better approach is to design a sensor independent of all industrial networks, thereby reducing development costs and broadening the potential customer base. This can be done using IO-Link, a 3-wire industrial communications standard that links sensors ( and actuators ) with all industrial control networks. Figure 4. An AFE implemented using separate discrete components in the signal chain. 4 Figure 5. Implementing the AFE using the AD7124-4.