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IO-Link product development with a Future-Proof Roadmap: TEConcept Guides Your IO-Link Product Success from Concept to Deployment
- Technology evaluation (IO-Link vs. alternatives)
- Feasibility workshops
- Rapid Prototyping (IO-Link Overnight Sample)
- System Specification
- Technology Training & Consulting
- Support for IO-Link Safety & Standards
- Stackintegration (Porting) for IO-Link-Master & IO-Link Devices
- Electronics & Software Development
- Application Development
- Reference Designs
- Test Concepts
- Use of TEConcept Test Systems (incl. Safety)
- EMC Test Master, Test Device for EMC Compliance Testing & Functional Tests
- Execution of Conformity Tests
- Support for Certification Processes
- Device Demos with Emulators & Rapid Prototypes
- Support for Documentation & Market Release
- Troubleshooting & Support
- IO-Link Sales & Service Training
- Variant Development & Optimization
- IO-Link Diagnosetools & Lifecycle-Support (Updates)
Concept, consulting, or complete implementation for your IO-Link product development?
Our Development Steps – Targeted Support in Every Project Phase of IO-Link product development
TEConcept is your development partner for embedded systems, IO-Link devices & complex electronic solutions.
1. Idea & concept phase
Analysis, strategy, specification
The idea and concept phase lays the foundation for successful IO-Link product development. Technical and economic requirements must be clarified, and available resources as well as existing know-how must be assessed, before proceeding with technical implementation and bringing your IO-Link product to market maturity.
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Involve all stakeholders (HW/SW developers, project and product managers, marketing) early on
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Formulate all technical requirements for the IO-Link product in detail (must-haves and nice-to-haves)
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Define the target vision and success criteria for the IO-Link product.
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Create a time and resource plan
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Technology assessment – We help you identify the best technological foundation for your project. We compare IO-Link with alternative solutions and highlight the pros and cons.
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Feasibility – We help you determine whether your requirements can be implemented with IO-Link, and support you in defining target criteria as well as creating a robust requirements specification for development and testing.
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Project consulting – We support you in establishing a clear basis for quotations, budget planning, and management approval—helping you avoid scope creep and secure key decisions early.
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Architecture review – We assess your proposed system architecture and hardware, review your planned interfaces and protocols, and support you in defining the technical requirements.
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Rapid Prototyping – IO-Link Overnight Sample – With our prototyping service, you receive a working test device in a very short time—so you can evaluate your idea quickly and in a practical, real-world setup.
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IO-Link Safety & EMC preparation - Standard-compliant protection for industrial use.
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Have you become interested in our stack and would like to try it out? Our stack runs on various evaluation boards from our partners. Feel free to contact us to find out which one is best suited for you.
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Would you like to test whether your planned IODD is feasible? With IODD Studio, IODD design is straightforward.
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Do you have an idea for an IO-Link device and want to test it? With COD, your planned device can be tested directly using only an IODD, without developed hardware!
Start with a clear plan – for maximum efficiency in further development.
In the idea and concept phase, we lay the foundation for your IO-Link product development together – with clear concepts, hands-on testing, and personalized consulting, so your idea is set on a successful course right from the start.
Our training and consulting services prepare your team for IO-Link, from the basics to specialized topics such as safety and standards. With the IO-Link Pathfinder, we help you find the right path to IO-Link product success!
We create and verify your IODD files to ensure your device's communication works flawlessly later on. With the COD (also available as a loan unit!), you can test IO-Link devices early on—even without finalized hardware—and validate your planned concept.
You can test our IO-Link stacks, for example, using our partners' developer kits. For master applications, the 1-Port Master Module and the 4-Port Master Module are available as building blocks with access to our IO-Link Master Stack.
How much groundwork do I need to bring to an IO-Link product development project?
We can start even with rough ideas. However, existing specifications, sketches, or project experience accelerate the process.
Is this just consulting, or does it produce a real implementation foundation for IO-Link product development?
The goal is an implementable foundation that your team can use directly – including concrete decisions, interfaces, and planning.
Can you also support the implementation of the IO-Link product development afterward?
Yes, upon request we provide seamless support for prototyping, implementation, and test setup.
2. Development phase
Hardware, software, architecture
In the development phase, the requirements defined in the idea and concept phase are systematically implemented. Architecture, interfaces, and quality goals are transferred into executable software, hardware-related functions, or overall systems. In the IO-Link context, this often includes the integration of a software stack for devices or masters. The goal is to create a clear basis for the validation phase.
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Avoid technical overstrain and time pressure for your software and hardware developers due to a lack of IO-Link knowledge
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Do not change the requirements specification without careful consideration, as this can lead, for example, to inconsistencies in the specification.
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Regularly test the functionality of your development to avoid surprises during the certification test
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For device developers: Be sure to check your IODD with the correct/latest version of the IODD Checker
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Are you looking for the right software for IO-Link? Our IO-Link stacks for devices and masters give you full control through full access to the source code!
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Do you need support with application development? Our engineers support you with both software and hardware.
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You want easy access to the device you are developing: Our USB-C development master makes this very easy via computer using the Control Tool
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Your application is not doing what it is supposed to, and you do not know why? We offer flexible support and help you identify the problem and find a solution.
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Did you expect IO-Link integration to be easier and are you realizing that your IO-Link knowledge is reaching its limits? We provide IO-Link expertise to successfully further develop your product.
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Is your team reaching its time limits? We can take over parts of your development work or provide you with suitable tools such as IODD Studio.
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Are you unsure whether your product would pass the certification tests? Our experienced developers would be happy to take a look at your software!
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Firmware & embedded systems - Development of microcontroller software and IO-Link stacks
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Electronics design & layout - Creation of complex circuits, EMC-compliant PCB design.
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Communication interfaces - Connection to existing systems and IO-Link compatibility.
Easy IO-Link entry – for example with IO-Link developer kits or our IO-Link Master modules.
We take over the complete system development for you or specifically individual parts of it – entirely according to your needs. In doing so, we bear responsibility for product success, work closely with you, and integrate seamlessly into your development environment. This ensures that your IO-Link solution is created on time, reliably, and at the highest level.
We deliver modular, scalable stacks for IO-Link Devices, IO-Link Safety Devices, IO-Link Masters, and IO-Link Safety Masters. This enables you to develop devices that comply with the standards while also supporting advanced functionality. Our solutions are compatible with a wide range of microcontrollers and PHYs, including components from ST, Renesas, NXP, TI, and Analog Devices.
Whether it's sensor signal processing, diagnostics, or special control functions – we program your individual application, precisely tailored to your requirements. We also support you in creating schematics and build prototype hardware for you to the latest standards—flexibly and efficiently—so you can test and optimize quickly.
Even if you haven’t created an IODD before, getting started with IODD Studio is intuitive and helps you avoid XML errors almost entirely. You can conveniently test and validate your IODD’s behavior with the COD (also available as a loan unit!) even before your hardware is available.
The IO-Link 1-port USB-C Master is intended for complex applications where IO-Link data needs to be analyzed or logged using a PC-based engineering tool. Communication is handled via TCP/IP using the STCS protocol. This allows IO-Link sensors and IO-Link actuators with advanced functionality to be commissioned easily.
Do we have to hand over the development completely?
No. Our support is modular. We work specifically on defined topics or supplement your team where bottlenecks or risks exist. However, we can also take over the complete
At what level of maturity does support make sense?
Do you work according to our development processes?
Can tests and validation also be supported?
Yes. From the test concept to automated tests to system and
3. Validation phase
In the validation phase, it is verified whether the developed system reliably meets the defined requirements under realistic conditions. The goal is not merely a ‘functioning’ system, but a robust, specification-compliant, and field-ready product that causes no surprises in operation. As such, the validation phase is a key milestone on the path to successful IO-Link product development.
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Don't just test the "happy path" - IO-Link systems must also react stably in the event of communication interruptions, voltage drops, or incorrect parameterization.
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Check timing and cycle times realistically - deviations in timing often only appear under load or with multiple devices.
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Test parameter changes during operation – many field issues are caused by unexpected state changes.
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Consider cross-manufacturer combinations - master-device combinations do not always behave identically.
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Plan test depth early - missing test concepts can only be made up for in the validation phase with great effort.
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Should your product be launched under IO-Link? Take care of IO-Link membership or licensing via the IO-Link Community early on
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The IO-Link protocol test is the certification test that fails most frequently. At this point, test equipment for self-help could be worthwhile before external certification
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Do you need IO-Link certification? No problem—our test equipment and our expertise, including certification support, are ready to help you.
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Don’t want to run the tests yourself? No problem— as an official IO-Link Test Center, we’re happy to take care of this for you. We can also perform EMC tests for you in our laboratory and test environment in accordance with the applicable requirements.
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Is your developed product not behaving as expected? Troubleshooting becomes much easier, for example with our IO-Link Diagnosis Tool or the new IO-Link Spy.
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If tests still fail on your side and you don’t understand the issue or can’t resolve it, please feel free to contact us directly.If tests still fail on your side and you don’t understand the issue or can’t resolve it, please feel free to contact us directly.
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Do you need additional testing beyond the IO-Link certification tests, such as CE or UL, or are further validations required? We can support you with the preparation!Do you need additional testing beyond the IO-Link certification tests, such as CE or UL, or are further validations required? We can support you with the preparation!
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If there is uncertainty as to whether the product is really field-ready despite certification tests, or if an objective external evaluation is desired: We know many of the typical field problems and will check your product thoroughly!
With our test systems, validating or certifying your IO-Link product is no problem!
We offer certified IO-Link tests using our test systems, covering all relevant checks from the physical layer to protocol compliance. With specialized EMC testing tools and automated test sequences, we ensure seamless validation. This allows us to provide optimal support for the fast and reliable certification of your devices.
We perform comprehensive testing for IO-Link devices and IO-Link masters—from physical layer and protocol tests to EMC compliance—according to the requirements for the Manufacturer Declaration (conformity declaration).
With our Device, Master, and Safety Master Testers approved by the IO-Link Community, you receive automated test reports in accordance with the IO-Link test specification.
For the electrical tests in accordance with the IO-Link specification, the Physical Layer Tester measures signal levels, bit timing, and current consumption of IO-Link devices and generates an automated test report to make it easy to identify and correct any issues that occur.
ith the EMC Test Master for conducting EMC tests on IO-Link devices and the EMC Test Device for conducting EMC tests on IO-Link masters, you have powerful and easy-to-use equipment available for straightforward test reporting for the Manufacturer Declaration (conformity declaration).
With the established IO-Link Diagnosis Tool as a powerful all-rounder, and the new IO-Link Spy—introduced at SPS 2025 with a focus on fast analysis of IO-Link communication—we most likely have the right tool for your specific application as well.
When do I have to submit a manufacturer's declaration?
If you want to market your product as an IO-Link product, you must submit the Manufacturer Declaration, stating that the certification tests have been properly carried out and passed under your responsibility.
Under what circumstances can I dispense with certification tests?
If no Manufacturer Declaration is required, the certification tests can be omitted. However, for product validation they are still recommended in most cases.
Isn't validation the task of quality assurance?
Is a successful functional test sufficient?
When should validation begin?
As early as possible. Partial validations during development significantly reduce effort and risk in the final phase.
Can tests required in the specification be automated?
4. Market launch
In the
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Plan sufficient resources for the market launch: both for marketing and for subsequent technical support. Market launches almost never run completely smoothly!
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Don't forget to also train your sales team on the new product to avoid a bumpy market launch.
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Creation of complete technical documentation
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Handover to your manufacturing or production partners
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Series release and technical support
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With our specific IO-Link knowledge, we can help you highlight this exact feature concisely in your marketing campaign
Market launch of your IO-Link product – we’re happy to support you with workshops and ongoing support.
We provide flexible optimizations that make your products market-ready. With targeted training for sales, field service, and application consulting, we strengthen your teams in working with IO-Link. We also offer fast support and troubleshooting to competently assist you even when challenges arise.
We provide hands-on consulting and training for your sales and service teams on working with IO-Link. This enables your staff to advise customers competently, explain technical benefits clearly, and respond to individual requirements—an important foundation for successful sales and strong customer service.
Based on our experience from numerous projects, we know exactly what matters when it comes to technical documentation and approvals. We support you in creating and reviewing all required documents, helping ensure your market launch runs smoothly and on schedule.
Our experts support you with technical questions, customer feedback, and troubleshooting—hands-on and solution-oriented. Acting as an extension of your customer service team, we can also support your end customers and help resolve issues quickly—for maximum customer satisfaction and long-term product success.
Isn't market launch primarily a sales task?
When does the market launch begin from a technical perspective?
Do you also provide support after the market launch?
5. Field deployment
Field deployment shows how robust a product really is. Different systems, environmental conditions, and user behavior pose requirements that can only be mapped to a limited extent in the laboratory. In this phase, the focus is on reliable operation, fast error analysis, and sustainable optimization.
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Evaluate field feedback in a structured manner to uncover and fix structural problems early on.
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Get feedback on your product from your customers to identify ambiguities, malfunctions, and problems early on and to be able to counteract them proactively.
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Are you unable to resolve field feedback—or not quickly enough? We’d be happy to support you with our support services.
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Don't understand why and at what point in the field the problems occur? Our diagnostic tools help you get to the bottom of the error!
With our Diagnosis Tool (also available for rental) or our new IO-Link Spy, you can quickly identify errors in IO-Link communication
Our COD device emulator enables pre-configuration and comprehensive testing of your IO-Link devices directly at the end customer’s site—even before the final hardware is deployed. This helps you shorten setup times, reduce sources of error, and significantly speed up commissioning.
The IO-Link Diagnosis Tool analyzes IO-Link signals both electrically and logically. It is based on a high-speed, multi-channel A/D converter and enables inspection of communication at the byte, M-sequence, protocol, and application levels. The captured data is transferred via USB to a Windows PC software tool, which provides detailed analysis capabilities.
We support you in the continuous development of your IO-Link devices—whether to add new features, adapt to new customer requirements, or integrate updates to the standard. We also keep you informed about changes and new developments in the IO-Link standard, so your products always remain up to date.
Why do problems only appear in the field?
Can field problems be analyzed retrospectively?
Do you also provide long-term support during operation?
Isn't field deployment pure support work?
Our Services in IO-Link product development
For us, IO-Link product development means more than just technology. We approach every IO-Link product development holistically – from analyzing your requirements to implementing a robust, field-proven system design.
With our IO-Link workshops and technical support, we provide targeted support for your IO-Link product development in every phase — from the idea and concept phase through to the successful field phase.
Our experienced engineers quickly analyze your planned hardware and also conduct a schematic review upon request to identify potential issues early on.
Would you like consulting for your IO-Link product development?
- +49 761 21443640
- +49 761 21443636
- info@teconcept.de