Control and data transfer system for supporting different communication protocols and an adapter module

A control and data transfer system for supporting different communication protocols, comprising:

• a control device comprising:
• a storage device which stores at least a first, a second and a third communication protocol, the first, the second and the third communication protocols being different;
• a control and evaluation device configured for executing the communication protocols stored in the storage device;
• and
• at least one first connector having a plurality of selectable electrical terminals;
• and
• a first adapter module connectable to the control device, comprising:
• a second connector having a plurality of electrical terminals, which is configured for being electrically and mechanically mated with the at least one first connector;
• a first identification device enabling identification of the first communication protocol, wherein the first identification device comprises at least one electrical wire which short-circuits at least two predetermined electrical terminals;
• and
• a communication interface for connecting at least one first field bus device that is configured for communication according to the first communication protocol to the first adapter module via a first bus system;
• a second adapter module connectable to the control device, wherein the first and second adapter modules and the control device are implemented as separate components, the second adapter module comprising:
• a third connector having a plurality of electrical terminals, which is configured for being electrically and mechanically mated with a further first connector of the control device;
• a second identification device enabling identification of the third communication protocol;
• and
• a communication interface for connecting at least one second field bus device that is configured for communication according to the third communication protocol to the second adapter module via a second bus system;
• wherein the control and evaluation device is adapted to use the first identification device for identifying the first communication protocol to be used when the first adapter module is connected to the control device and based on the shorted circuits of the at least two predetermined electrical terminals, and to load and execute the identified first communication protocol from the storage device, so that communication is enabled according to the first communication protocol between the at least one first field bus device connected to the first adapter module and the control device, and
• wherein the control and evaluation device is configured to use the second identification device of the second adapter module for identifying the third communication protocol to be used when the second adapter module is connected to the control device, and to load and execute the identified third communication protocol from the storage device, so that communication is enabled according to the third communication protocol between the at least one second field bus device connected to the second adapter module and the control device.