I/o modular terminal having a plurality of data registers and an

Abstract

An transfer body is provided for interfacing between field devices and a field master. One form of the transfer body is an input/output (IO) body. The IO body has a plurality of in-data registers for accepting data from the field devices, a plurality of out-data registers for sending data to field devices, and an identification register for identifying the data in relation to the field devices. The IO body also has an interface portion having an identification port communicating with the identification register, an in-data port communicating with the in-data registers, and an out-data port communicating with the out-data registers. The body can directly attach to and communicate with a plurality of different types of communications adapters through the interface portion for communication with a field master. The body can also directly attach to and communicate with a PLC type of field master through the interface portion. Each communications adapter is configured to directly attach to and communicate through the in-data port, the out-data port, and the identification port, and wherein each communications adapter is also configured to communicate with one or more types of field masters.