Hilscher has released two Edge IO-Link masters: sensorEDGE FIELD and sensorEDGE. These IP67-rated devices combine computing power and standardized IO-Link sensor connection in one housing. sensorEDGE FIELD and sensorEDGE can be connected directly to Ethernet-based IT infrastructures without the need to intervene in existing communication networks and their controllers – unlike conventional IO-Link master devices.

Hilscher additionally offers a centralized edge management platform via which the devices can be administered locally or via the Internet. Hilscher’s IO-Link master devices are available in two different versions:

• sensorEDGE FIELD: Open computing platform for your own software with optional centralized management
• sensorEDGE: Complete solution for remote transmission of sensor data via a central platform

Both devices are based on a Linux OS that fulfills aspects of IEC 62443. Their application software is installed and operated securely and encapsulated via container technology. The devices can be configured and managed locally via a web interface or centrally via a platform.

sensorEDGE FIELD

sensorEDGE FIELD is an open data processing platform that customers can customize according to their own requirements.

Advantage: Do-it-yourself for customized IIoT applications. sensorEDGE FIELD allows users extensive customization options based on their specific requirements. The device has two container engines: One for the local and manual deployment of container applications, and a second for interaction with a central management platform.

sensorEDGE FIELD comes with the preinstalled Linux operating system. The user decides which containerized software to run on the devices. A range of free basic containers offers features for IO-Link configuration and IO-Link on MQTT data provisioning. Centralized device management through a single platform is optional and available upon request.

Benefits

Processing power at the edge: devices can run demanding container applications. In other words, data is not just collected. It is processed at the field level for a decisive advantage.

• Containerized software: Using open but secure container technology, applications are encapsulated into individual containers.
• Cloud agnostic: Users are free to choose whether they want the solution to communicate with a local cloud or to communicate with a public cloud over the Internet.
• Operation without an Internet connection: sensorEDGE FIELD can be operated in local installations without the need for an Internet connection.
• Optional centralized management: An additional option for users who choose solutions from Hilscher’s netFIELD IIoT platform.

sensorEDGE

sensorEDGE is the solution for the transmission of local IO-Link sensor data with a centralized edge management function.

Advantage: The ready-to-use solution enables instant connection of sensors in less than 5 minutes.

sensorEDGE transfers local IO-Link sensor data to remote MQTT clients. The solution consists of the IP67-rated device, including IO-Link sockets. All you need is a power source and an Internet connection. No more time-consuming setup.

As soon as the sensors are connected and automatically configured via the IODD (from an Internet file database), the sensor box transmits data to the cloud in 1-second intervals.

Benefits

• Start instantly: As soon as sensorEDGE is powered, the device starts operating. It saves you time.
• Cost efficiency: All you need is a power supply and Internet access to integrate the device into your IT infrastructure.
• Focused application: Enables data to be analyzed in terms of condition monitoring.
• Access to data from anywhere: Data can be forwarded to any application where it can be processed to generate added value.

Hilscher