Since the introduction of the AS-i (actuator sensor interface) protocol in the early 1990s, the standard has been used in many industrial applications as a bus system for the lowest automation level and as a supplement to other existing bus systems.
Based on the master/slave principle, fieldbusses using the AS-i protocol became highly efficient networking alternatives to the traditional hard wiring of field devices. This success was due to its tremendous user friendliness, its tailor made alignment geared towards the simplest actuators in the plant engineering and construction environment and a significant number of application advantages.
The unshielded 2-conductor cable, which allows data and power transmission at the same time, does away with costly parallel wiring between sensors and control units. Other advantages include simple assembly using polarity reversal protected AS-i cables, high serviceability with excellent diagnosis options and ease of maintenance.
The AS-i master, whether as a plug-in unit card for PLC or PC, or as an independent gateway to higher bus systems, controls the bus and interrogates the bus subscribers with cyclic polling. The single 2-conductor cable allows connection of up to 62 devices.
Leading switch manufacturer, Bernstein, recognised early on that when connecting simple field I/O devices where sensory data is transmitted, the low-effort AS-i technology is hard to beat. Therefore, all Bernstein switches are now AS-i enabled, with more products to follow including AS-i professional bus gateways, interfaces and power supplies as well as safety monitors. The additional safety protocol, AS-Interface Safety at Work, allowing safety components to be easily integrated into an As-Interface network, has also been introduced.
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