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Next Day Delivery (Order Before 5pm)

Free Expert Help & Advice

Trusted for Over 125 Years

55,000 Products in Stock

Next Day Delivery* (Order Before 5pm)

Free Expert Help & Advice

Trusted for Over 125 Years

55,000+ Products in Stock

ASi 5 globally standardised fieldbus system

Field Device Connectivity

Field connectivity for IO devices is a significant part of many different industries, collecting data and providing control over first level automation devices, ensuring processes work in harmony with each other, data is correctly collected and operational efficiency is maintained.

Not only does communication with input and output devices remain an integral aspect of all manufacturing processes, but also of functional safety systems on the shop floor which are used to prevent any accidents and reduce downtime.

In many instances, each input device is connected back to a controller – whether that may be a PLC, Industrial PC etc. – often resulting in extra cabling expense and more complex installations.

Using ASi has often been an immediate alternative to costly fieldbus systems, but has been restricted due to protocol limitations...until now.

Compatible with previous ASi generations

Thanks to Bihl+Wiedemann’s globally standardised fieldbus system for the first level of automation, ASi 5 can now transmit much larger volumes of data at a significantly faster speed than previous ASi versions. ASi 5 is comparable to Ethernet systems due to its great data bandwidth – allowing it to connect analogue devices as well as process data sizes from 16 bits up to 32 bytes per slave whilst maintaining short cycle times (384 digital inputs and outputs in just 1.27 ms!).

This latest innovation stage of the ASi interface provides a more cost-effective alternative compared to traditional fieldbus systems thanks for dramatically less wiring, a free choice of topology (ring, star, line) and the ability to integrate safety on the same infrastructure. With higher density field input / output modules, device field wiring can also be concentrated in robust field mountable modules.

Another benefit of the ASi 5 comes from the compatibility with previous ASi devices, meaning ASi 5 devices can be used with ASi slaves from any generation in both existing and new ASi networks. If there is already an ASi device in your network you do not have to replace the existing slaves, ASi-5 slaves are able to be connected with current slaves, or alternatively existing slaves can be replaced ‘in situ’ with ASi 5 slaves where device demand requires greater bandwidth.

Automation reinvented

With the ASi 5, sensors and actuators are connected with a controller through a single two-conductor profile cable resulting in dramatically less wiring than alternative fieldbus solutions.

Other key benefits of the ASi 5 are:

  • Industry 4.0 ready data layer system
  • Transmit data and power in a single two-conductor profile cable
  • Free to choose your own topology without the need for costly switches
  • IP67 field mounted modules
  • Full backward compatibility
  • Simple tamper-proof in-system firmware and security updates
  • Easy integration for intelligent sensors and actuators such as IO-link
  • Only pay for the ports you need - 1,2 and 4 port IO-Link masters available
  • ASi safety integration and support for PROFIsafe, CIP Safety and FSoE
  • Predictive maintenance made easier with advanced diagnostics

For more information and guidance on how to select the best networking solution for your requirements, or to arrange a demonstration of the ASi 5 system, please contact your local branch today and our fully trained automation engineers will be able to offer impartial advice.