Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a field device to a control system, the apparatus comprising a control interface for establishing a data connection to the control system; a field-device port for establishing a connection to the field device for data transmission and power transmission, the field-device port having at least three pins; a microprocessor; a physical layer for ground-referenced communication signals; and a further physical layer for non-ground-referenced communication signals; wherein the field-device port is designed such that the field device can be connected for ground-referenced communication signals and for non-ground-referenced communication signals.

Abstract: A connector comprises a master unit, and a device unit connected to the master unit and being configured to be connected to an IO-Link master. The connector is configured to be connected to an IO-Link device and to receive first operating data from the IO-Link device, the first operating data being IO-Link compliant, and to be connected to a capture unit and to receive second operating data from the capture unit, and output the received first operating data enriched with the received second operating data as third operating data via the device unit to the IO-Link master.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a field device to a control system, the apparatus comprising a control interface for establishing a data connection to the control system; a field-device port for establishing a connection to the field device for data transmission and power transmission, the field-device port having at least three pins; a microprocessor; a physical layer for ground-referenced communication signals; and a further physical layer for non-ground-referenced communication signals; wherein the field-device port is designed such that the field device can be connected for ground-referenced communication signals and for non-ground-referenced communication signals.

Abstract: A central controller for a data network includes an input interface for receiving a request signal, a control unit for generating a control signal depending on the request signal received, and at least one output interface for transmitting the control signal to at least one participant device. The control signal is set up to actuate the at least one participant device to emit a participant output signal for identifying a physical position of the at least one participant device.

Abstract: Provided is a method for operating a measurement system including an evaluation module and several measuring elements. The evaluation module and the measuring elements are connected via a communication line. The method includes detecting measurement data via the several measuring elements. At least two of the measuring elements detect the measurement data at least partially at the same time. The method further includes: buffering the detected measurement data in the respective measuring element; and reading out the measurement data buffered in the measuring elements with the evaluation module via the communication line.

Abstract: Provided is a method for operating a measurement system including an evaluation module and several measuring elements. The evaluation module and the measuring elements are connected via a communication line. The method includes detecting measurement data via the several measuring elements. At least two of the measuring elements detect the measurement data at least partially at the same time. The method further includes: buffering the detected measurement data in the respective measuring element; and reading out the measurement data buffered in the measuring elements with the evaluation module via the communication line.