« FC4A MICRO SMART USER ’S MANUAL » 28-128: AS-I NTERFACE M ASTER C OMMUNICATIONIntroductionThis chapter describes general information about the Actuator-Sensor-Interface, abbreviated AS-Interface, and detailedinformation about using the AS-Interface master module.About AS-InterfaceAS-Interface is a type of field bus that is primarily intended to be used to control sensors and actuators. AS-Interface is anetwork system that is compatible with the IEC62026 standard and is not proprietary to any one manufacturer. A masterdevice can communicate with slave devices such as sensors, actuators, and remote I/Os, using digital and analog signalstransmitted over the AS-Interface bus.The AS-Interface system is comprised of the following three major components:• One master, such as the MicroSmart AS-Interface master module (FC4A-AS62M)• One or more slave devices, such as sensors, actuators, switches, and indicators• Dedicated 30V DC AS-Interface power supply (26.5 to 31.6V DC)These components are connected using a two-core cable for both data transmission and AS-Interface power supply. AS-Interface employs a simple yet efficient wiring system and features automatic slave address assignment function, whileinstallation and maintenance are also very easy.Applicable Sensors and Actuators for AS-InterfaceAS-Interface Compatible Sensors and ActuatorsAS-Interface compatible sensors and actuators communicate using the built-in AS-Interface function, and serve as AS-Interface slaves when connected directly to the AS-Interface bus via a branch unit or a T-junction unit.Sensors/Actuators Not Compatible with AS-InterfaceConventional sensors and actuators that are not compatible with the AS-Interface can also be connected to the AS-Inter-face bus using a remote I/O slave and be handled in the same way as devices that are compatible with the AS-Interface.Remote I/O Type SlaveBranch Unit T-junction UnitAS-Interface Non-compatibleSensors/ActuatorsAS-Interface Compatible Sensors/ActuatorsAS-Interface BusMaximum I/O points when using AS-Interface master moduleAS-Interface Master Module 1 moduleMaximum Slaves 62 slavesMaximum I/O Points 434 (248 inputs / 186 outputs)Maximum Communication Distance Without repeater: 100mWith 2 repeaters: 300m
