What Are Digital Inputs and Outputs (GPIO)?

GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) refers to input/output connections that let a system receive digital signals from the outside world or send digital signals to external devices.

Digital inputs can be used to detect the state of a particular sensor or switch. Digital outputs can be used to generate a control signal through suitable hardware.

In industrial applications, digital inputs and outputs can be used for status monitoring, triggering devices, simple control operations and interaction with external equipment.

However, not every industrial computer has GPIO. Also, GPIO and industrial digital I/O modules are not the same thing. Voltage levels, current capacity, electrical isolation and connection protection vary by product.

If an industrial PC is planned to be connected directly to machine signals, the electrical characteristics of the relevant inputs/outputs and their suitability for field conditions must be checked. When necessary, a suitable I/O module or interface should be used.