AS-International

AS-International is the nonprofit trade association for AS-Interface (Actuator/Sensor-Interface, short: AS-i) users worldwide.
AS-International is the sole owner of the "registered trademark" "AS-Interface", and only members may develop and sell products using "AS-Interface" technology. The association also controls the "certification" process, and grants the right to use the AS-Interface logo on printed and electronic material as well as the products themselves. AS-International represents a worldwide community of approximately 350 members. At this time, in addition to the headquarters in "Gelnhausen", Germany, 13 independently structured local organizations on three continents exist.
History.
In 1990, eleven German (Balluff, Festo, ifm electronic, Leuze electronic, Pepperl+Fuchs, Sick, Siemens, Turck, Visolux (now part of the Pepperl+Fuchs group) and Swiss (Baumer, and Elesta) companies conceived a "bus system" for networking "sensors" and "actuators". These industrial companies, with different strategic and economic interests, and frequently competing, jointly conceived the AS-Interface technology. Funded in part by the "BMBF" (formerly BMFT- German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology,) their goal was the development of a simple and low-cost system. In 1991, after the completion of this work, an independent, "nonprofit" user organization, the "Association for Promotion of Bus-compatible Interfaces e.V.", now doing business as AS-International e.V., was founded. This was necessary to address legislation concerning "anti-competitive business practices". The developing companies effectively relinquished their rights in the core technology. Consequently and as stated in its constitution, AS-International is the owner and guardian of the "trademark" AS-Interface®, and owns the rights and the "specification" to the "AS-Interface" technology. Therefore, any company producing technology with "AS-Interface" products is required to be a member of AS-International Association. Additionally, the organization represents the technology in international regulatory bodies, organizes and hosts educational seminars, and promotes advancements of the technology. According to AS-International, the organization's mission is "the promotion of bus-able interfaces for sensors and actuators."
In the fall of 1991, the detailed "specification" was approved, allowing AS-International members to start developing "slave" components.
By mid 1992, the "electro-mechanical" "specification" was released, defining the AS-Interface flat-cable, an essential component to addressing the goal of simple network installations.
Mid 1992, the "master" "specification" was released, resulting in the development of a number of bus masters with and without interfaces to other higher-level ‘’fieldbus’’ solutions.
In the fall of 1993, the first "application-specific integrated circuit" (ASIC) became available, simplifying "slave" development and passing performance testing.
In early 1994, the first fully functional circuit and "prototypes" became available.
Mid 1994, FZI (Forschungszentrum Informatik) in Karlsruhe – research institute for computer science in Karlsruhe) developed the first systems with "master".
In 1999, AS-Interface is standardized in EN 50295 and IEC 62026-2 (revised in 2012.)
In 2010, AS-International introduced AS-Interface Power 24V, enabling the use of almost any 24V power supply for AS-Interface.
In July 2012, the Developer Kit for AS-Interface to create a fully functional as-Interface network was released.
Member services.
As a trade association based on common interest, AS-International offers its members: 