I O Bus Networks - Including Device Net

I/O bus networks allow PLCs to communicate with I/O devices in a manner
similar to how local area networks let supervisory PLCs communicate with
individual PLCs (see Figure1). This configuration decentralizes control in the
PLC system, yielding larger and faster control systems. The topology, or
physical architecture, of an I/O bus network follows the bus or extended bus
(tree) configuration, which lets field devices (e.g., limit, photoelectric, and
proximity switches) connect directly to either a PLC or to a local area network
bus. Remember that a bus is simply a collection of lines that transmit data
and/or power. Figure 2 illustrates a typical connection between a PLC, a
local area network, and an I/O bus network.