Connection module for sensors

A connector module for the connection of a sensor to a fieldbus, comprising:

• at least one sensor interface for the connection of the connector module to an interface of the sensor;
• at least one bus interface for the connection of the connector module to an interface of a fieldbus;
• and
• a circuit for the exchange of data to receive the data and to convert a format of the data from the sensor interface and to output the converted data at the bus interface, wherein:
• the circuit for the exchange of data includes a memory for the intermediate storage of a sensor-specific control file or description file received from the sensor interface, with the control file or description file being able to be processed in the circuit such that the connector module shows the behavior of the respective connected sensor with respect to the fieldbus;
• and
• the circuit for the exchange of data is configured for the output of the data received from the bus interface at the sensor interface.

A method of operating a connector module which is coupled via a sensor interface to a sensor and via a bus interface to a fieldbus, comprising:

• transmitting a sensor-specific control file or description file stored in the sensor and/or generated in the sensor to the connector module via the sensor interface;
• and
• programming a processor of the connector module by the transmitted control file and/or by a control file generated on the basis of the transmitted description field, wherein:
• reception is controlled by the programmed processor of data transmitted to the connector module from the sensor,
• conversion is controlled by the programmed processor of the data with respect to format;
• output is controlled by the programmed processor of the converted data via the bus interface connected to the fieldbus, with the connector module showing the behavior of the respective connected sensor with respect to the fieldbus, and
• the circuit for the exchange of data receives data transmitted from the fieldbus from the bus interface.

A method of operating a connector module which is coupled via a sensor interface to a sensor and via a bus interface to a fieldbus, comprising:

• transmitting a sensor-specific control file or description file stored in the sensor and/or generated in the sensor to the connector module via the sensor interface;
• and
• programming a processor of the connector module by the transmitted control file and/or by a control file generated on the basis of the transmitted description field, wherein:
• reception is controlled by the programmed processor of data transmitted to the connector module from the sensor;
• conversion is controlled by the programmed processor of the data with respect to their format, and
• output is controlled by the programmed processor of the converted data via the bus interface connected to the fieldbus, with the connector module showing the behavior of the respective connected sensor with respect to the fieldbus, and
• the circuit for the exchange of data outputs data received from the bus interface at the sensor interface.