BiSS is an open-source digital interface for sensors and actuators introduced by iC-Haus GmbH in 2002. BiSS stands for bidirectional serial synchronous — it is a high speed serial synchronous bi-directional full-duplex communication protocol compliant with RS-422/485 standards. BiSS-C mode is the continuous mode in which the BiSS-C receiver reads out the position data cyclically.  

CouthIT’s BiSS-C receiver implementation interfaces with BiSS-C encoders connected in point-to-point or in daisy-chain/bus topology. BiSS-C encoders provide high resolution absolute single turn and multi-turn position data along with status information. The BiSS protocol is used on the lower sensor/actuator communication level in industrial applications (e.g. motor feedback, robotics) which require high-speed data transfer rates, safety, flexibility and a minimized implementation effort. BiSS can address internal registers (via Control Communication) in the encoder that can be read by and written to by the BiSS-C Receiver with data about the encoder itself (identification, device data, resolution, etc.). The interface enables a complete closed-loop position control system by providing the real-time position feedback to the master to control the motor.

CouthIT’s BiSS-C receiver implementation has support for BiSS Safety profile as well. BiSS-C safety profile has been certified by TÜV Rheinland for safety-critical applications up to SIL3 according to IEC61508:2010. BiSS Safety uses the concept of a “Black Channel” transmission and specifies the data channel contents in order to ensure failure mode detection as defined in IEC61784-3 using redundant position words, different CRC polynomials and a sign-of-life counter. BiSS Safety is fully compatible with BiSS and all of its features including line delay compensation, processing times and daisy chaining of additional sensors.