Sub-Cycle (Industrial Communication)

In the context of industrial communication, a “sub-cycle” refers to a distinct and essential component within the IO-Link Wireless communication cycle. The IO-Link Wireless cycle is structured into sub-cycles, with each sub-cycle having a predefined duration of 1.6 milliseconds. These sub-cycles play a crucial role in the efficient and deterministic transmission of data. During each sub-cycle, communication occurs on different frequencies, encompassing both downlink and uplink portions. The Wireless Master broadcasts the downlink portion to all connected Wireless Devices, while the uplink portion involves time-multiplexing messages sent from the devices, adhering to defined timeslots. The use of sub-cycles in IO-Link Wireless ensures organized and predictable data exchange, contributing to the protocol’s suitability for industrial applications requiring reliable, low-latency communication among numerous devices.