PROFINET Shared Device
PROFINET offers many features for custom-tailored architectures and automation applications. One of these features is PROFINET Shared Device, it gives multiple PROFINET IO controllers access to the same IO device. How Does It Work? PROFINET Shared Device offers a device the ability to support connections to more than one controller at the same time. When…
Burning Questions on Network Design
Last year we hosted a PROFINET Installation webinar. After an interactive Q&A section, we got several comments expressing interest in Network Design. This year we were able to put together an hour-long webinar on PROFINET Network Design. Due to time limitations, we were not able to answer all the questions that came in through the…
PROFINET Addressing Parameters
If you are planning on adding new nodes into your PROFINET network, you will need to consider their addressing parameters. Each PROFINET device has 3 addressing parameters: a MAC address, a device name, and an IP address. The MAC address is predefined by the manufacturer, and usually, it can not be changed. On the other…
PROFINET Communication Channels
PROFINET is an open Industrial Ethernet standard. It is a communication protocol that exchanges data between automation controllers and devices. With over 25 million installed nodes (as of 2018), PROFINET is one of the most widely used Industrial Ethernet standards worldwide. But even though millions of users are familiar with PROFINET, not all users understand…
Efficient Engineering delivers a Smart Control System for Otto Bock
Otto Bock deploys a control system devised by Process Automation Solutions with 18 smart drives. It’s based on a state of the art Profinet network for the fast-paced automotive industry.
Industry Foursight™
TSN OPC UA APL Industry 4.0 has a lot of potential and it’s an exciting time to be involved in industrial automation. New solutions are taking shape and stand to make automation networks easier to manage, faster to run, and most importantly, provide value like never before. Concepts like TSN, OPC…
Key Decisions for PROFINET Developers
Device manufacturers wanting to equip an automation device with a PROFINET interface have different options for implementation. Before deciding on a specific implementation method, it’s important to first determine which functions will be supported by the PROFINET automation device: Real-Time Requirements IEEE 802.3 ensures problem-free communication between PROFINET automation devices and among PROFINET automation devices…
Development
The Easy Way to PROFINET: Developing & Certifying a PROFINET Product Introduction PROFINET is the open, cross-vendor Industrial Ethernet standard for discrete and process automation. There are many choices of ways to add PROFINET to an automation device that it can seem daunting to know where to start. The starting point depends on the type…
PI News from SPS IPC Drives 2018
Technology Providers Implement PROFINET with TSN A live demo with solutions from three different manufacturers was introduced to the public at SPS IPC Drives 2018. The demo shows how easily TSN can be integrated in PROFINET in view of different technologies. In the live demo, prototypical implementations from three different companies – Texas Instruments, Analog Devices,…
Bringing Ethernet to the Plant Floor
Bringing Ethernet to the Plant Floor? Seven critical things to know before you do it. 1. Do not to take Office topologies to the plant floor but implement plant/machine topologies with Ethernet. Office Ethernet infrastructures are typically based on commercial grade products meant to be located in a temperature controlled environment and Ethernet switches designed…