A setting system performs setting required for causing a field device to perform a predetermined operation on the field device. The setting system includes a server apparatus configured to provide device setting data in which identification information of the field device and setting data to be set in the field device are associated with other, and an input/output device that is a device interposed between the field device and a control device controlling the field device. In a case in which connection between the input/output device and the field device has been established, the input/output device is configured to perform the setting of the field device by transmitting, to the field device, the setting data associated with the identification information of the field device with which the connection has been established out of the device setting data provided from the server apparatus.

The exemplified methods and systems facilitates the configuring of IO devices and its IO modules (and submodules) in enabling an operator to retrieve, via a single input, in a development workspace, a list of IO modules and submodules that is compatible to a given IO device. The exemplified methods and systems facilitates retrieval of compatible IO modules and submodules based parameters of the IO modules and submodules. The exemplified methods and systems provide an intuitive interface, in a development workspace for configuring an IO device, to add a retrieved (i.e., searched) module or submodule from a list thereof to an existing project for a given IO device.

An input/output (I/O) device for a distributed modular I/O system includes a base adapted to be connected to an associated support structure. A terminal block is connected to the base and includes a plurality of wiring connections adapted to be connected to field wiring of an associated controlled system. The I/O device further includes first and second I/O modules each including a plurality of removable single-channel I/O submodules that are each releasably connected to the base and each configured for a select I/O operation for input and output of data relative to the associated controlled system. One or more pairs of the single-channel I/O submodules can be configured to be redundant within or between the first and second I/O modules. Each of the single-channel I/O submodules is operatively connected to wiring connections of the terminal block through the base. The I/O device further includes first and second network switches connected to the base. The first and second network switches are adapted to be respectively connected to first and second backplane circuits. The I/O device further includes first and second system modules connected to the base and each respectively connected to both of the first and second network switches. The first and second system modules are also each respectively operatively connected to all of the removable single-channel I/O submodules of both of the first and second I/O modules such that the first and second system modules control communication of I/O data between the first and second network switches and the single-channel I/O submodules.

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for iterative and interactive scheduling of an I/O station for an automation control system, the apparatus (100) comprising: selection device (110) adapted to specify a selection of signals for the I/O station in the form of (i) signal data and (ii) planning data for the I/O station based on user input; database device (120) adapted to provide property data for a plurality of I/O devices and I/O systems; configuration device (130) adapted to determine, based on the signal data, the planning data, and the property data, a system configuration for the I/O station that includes at least one I/O device among the plurality of I/O devices, wherein the configuration device (130) is further adapted to perform a technical check of the specific construction rules of the respective I/O system of the system configuration and to change the system configuration in case of failure of the technical check; and display device (140) adapted to display the system configuration for the I/O station.

Apparatus and methods for flexible input/output signaling over a same signaling channel are described. A programmable interface circuit includes a signaling channel that can be adapted, prior to use or during operation, for transmission and/or reception of different types of analog and digital signals. The interface circuit can be used for communications between an isolating communication controller and components of a machine that use diverse signaling types.

A control system includes a control device, an information processing device, a grouper, and a generator. The control device executes a control program controlling a control target while managing process data of the control program. The control device transmits one or more types of data sets storing a part of the process data according to a communication setting. The information processing device executes one or more applications using the process data by using the one or more types of data sets. The grouper allocates the process data designated to be used in the one or more applications to one or more groups. The generator generates the communication setting for the control device such that the process data allocated to the group are stored in one data set and transmitted for each of the groups grouped by the grouper according to an allocation result.

Apparatus and methods for flexible input/output signaling over a same signaling channel are described. A programmable interface circuit includes a signaling channel that can be adapted, prior to use or during operation, for transmission and/or reception of different types of analog and digital signals. The interface circuit can be used for communications between an isolating communication controller and components of a machine that use diverse signaling types.

A method of determining a configuration state of an I/O module connected to a fieldbus controller is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of receiving from the I/O module a key ID, comparing the key ID with at least one key ID stored on the fieldbus controller, and configuring the I/O module when the received key ID does not correspond to the at least one stored key ID stored. Further, a circuit for configuring a digital input of a fieldbus controller as either a PNP input or an NPN input is provided comprising a control circuit including a reference input, a first selection input, and a control output. The circuit also comprises a data circuit including a second selection input electrically connected to the control output, a data input electrically coupled to the digital input, and a data output.

Identification of the types of input and output cards of a PLC and proper connection of field devices to a PLC are achieved by connecting a self-learning discrete input circuit and/or a self-learning discrete output circuit between the PLC and the field device.

Identification of the types of input and output cards of a PLC and proper connection of field devices to a PLC are achieved by connecting a self-learning discrete input circuit and/or a self-learning discrete output circuit between the PLC and the field device.