SmartBridge® technology by Pepperl+Fuchs bridges the gap between sensors and Industry 4.0: Until now, process data generated by field devices that are part of an IO-Link infrastructure is processed mainly in the machine loop. Equally valuable parameter and status information that could offer insights into the device state remains untapped. This is where SmartBridge technology comes into play: the SmartBridge interface is plugged into a connection between a control unit and an IO-Link compatible device. Here, it picks up the IO-Link communication with sensor or actuator and transmits process data to a mobile device via Bluetooth.
This additional communication path opens up a whole new level of ease of use when it comes to handling sensors. The SmartBridge app developed by Pepperl+Fuchs visualizes data submitted by the interface on commercial tablets or smartphones. With that, control of status and process data is handled just as easily by “Touch and Type” as the configuration of parameters. Once a new device has been detected, required drivers are loaded automatically. Through these driver files, the functionalities of the respective field device are displayed graphically and in clear text. You can also log process data to a microSD card and later run an advanced analysis of the recorded data on your desktop PC.
This easy and comfortable display of parameter and device data helps technicians during the commissioning of machines and plants and simplifies failure analysis in maintenance cases. With the SmartBridge interface, you unleash the full capability of your IO-Link devices!