Pinetek Networks is getting ready to launch a crowdfunding marketing campaign for a Raspberry Pi add-on designed to make it simpler to work with IEC 61131-9 IO-Hyperlink units together with sensors and actuators: the IOL HAT.
“IOL HAT permits for the change of information between single-board computer systems (SBCs) and sensible SDCI sensors, actuators, and different units,” Pinetek Networks’ Andreas Lau explains of his firm’s creation. “SDCI can also be recognized beneath the model title of IO-Hyperlink. IOL HAT is an add-on board (HAT) for Raspberry Pis and different SBCs [Single-Board Computers], and you may stack as much as two of them, permitting the connection of as much as 4 SDCI units.”
Pinetek’s IOL HAT goals to make it straightforward so as to add IO-Hyperlink capabilities to a Raspberry Pi or different single-board laptop. (📷: Pinetek Networks)
Extra correctly generally known as IEC 61131-9, IO-Hyperlink is an ordinary for a single-drop digital communication interface (SDCI) that permits a single central IO-Hyperlink server to manage a number of IO-Hyperlink units —which may be something from temperature sensors to electromechanical actuators. “SDCI is an ordinary with over 20,000 completely different units — primarily sensors — in the marketplace,” Lau says. “This dependable, digital interlink permits for fault-free knowledge switch even in harsh environments or with cable lengths as much as 20 meters [around 66 feet].”
IO-Hyperlink connections require each {hardware} and software program to work, with Pinetek offering each: the IOL HAT connects to the general-purpose enter/output (GPIO) header on a Raspberry Pi 3 Mannequin B/B+, Raspberry Pi 4 Mannequin B, or Raspberry Pi 5 and presents two IO-Hyperlink ports stackable to a complete of 4 ports, by way of an Analog Gadgets MAX14819ATM+ transceiver. The corporate has additionally written a software program stack providing a binary Transmission Management Protocol (TCP) interface to any software — with examples supplied in each C/C++ and Python.
The corporate is offering each the {hardware} and a software program stack, together with examples for C/C++ and Python. (📷: Pinetek Networks)
Along with the Raspberry Pi-specific model, Pinetek has additionally designed a extra generic mannequin “to be used with any SBC,” Lau claims, wherein the indicators are introduced out to a 0.1″ pin header. In each circumstances, the {hardware} is functionally an identical — together with the presence of a 24V energy provide, able to pushing 0.5A per IO-Hyperlink port.
Pinetek is planning to launch a crowdfunding marketing campaign on Crowd Provide within the close to future; the {hardware} schematics and software program supply, primarily based on RT-Labs I-Hyperlink stack, can be found on the corporate’s GitHub repository beneath the reciprocal GNU Normal Public License 3. Further info is offered on the Pinetek Networks web site.