Which protocol is commonly used by smart sensors for signal transmission?

The choice of IO-Link as the protocol commonly used by smart sensors for signal transmission is accurate due to its design and functionality tailored for the needs of industrial automation. IO-Link is a point-to-point communication protocol specifically developed to connect sensors and actuators in a factory automation system. It operates at the physical layer and allows for bi-directional communication, enabling the transmission of not just the sensor’s measured value, but also diagnostic data and configuration parameters.

This ability to transmit extensive data makes IO-Link especially suitable for smart sensors, which often require more than just basic signal information for full functionality. By facilitating real-time data sharing between devices and controllers, IO-Link enhances the overall efficiency and maintainability of systems.

In contrast, the other options do not specifically target the unique needs of smart sensors in the same way. Ethernet and TCP/IP are broader network protocols that serve various types of communication in industrial networks but are not specialized for direct communication with sensors in the manner that IO-Link is. Modbus, while a widely used communication protocol in industrial settings, primarily focuses on supervisory control and data acquisition and may not provide the same level of interaction and comprehensive data transmission for smart sensors as IO-Link does.