Device for inherently safe signal matching

A device for the inherently safe signal matching of signals being exchanged between an automating system and field devices, the device comprising:

• a backwall plate having an initial plate and adjacent modular plates, the backwall plate supporting data lines of a local bus and current supply lines;
• input/output modules connected to the backwall plate, each input/output module having a data processing device, a signal matching device, and a local bus interface for connection to the local bus;
• and
• a communications module connected to the backwall plate, the communications module having a local bus interface connected to a field bus interface, a processor, and a memory for storing parameters obtained via an interface for setting parameters for the input/output modules.

A modular interconnect apparatus for communicating signals between an automating system and field devices, the apparatus comprising:

• a backwall plate having an initial plate and at least one modular plate interconnected to the initial plate, the backwall plate defining a local bus having a data line and a current supply line;
• at least one input/output module connected to the modular plate, the input/output module having a processor, a signal matching device, and a local bus interface for connection to the local bus;
• and
• a communications module connected to the backwall plate and interconnecting the initial plate with the modular plate, the communications module having a local bus interface electrically connected to a field bus interface, a processor, and a memory for storing parameters obtained via an interface for initializing the input/output modules.