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But Wait –There’s More (than just APL)

Ethernet-APL is a hot topic as of late. The spec was published in 2021. First products will be entering the market over the coming year. The proposition is pretty slick: a robust, two-wire, powered Ethernet physical layer including intrinsic safety for operation in hazardous areas. Ethernet-APL is undoubtedly an enabler of digitalization in the process…

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Profibus

PROFIBUS Technology PROFIBUS is the worldwide standard for fieldbuses in automation and has grown to become the unequivocal leader in industry. Via a single cable, PROFIBUS links controllers with decentralized field devices and enables consistent data exchange with higher level communication systems. By utilizing a standardized, application-independent communication protocol, PROFIBUS supports both factory and process…

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PROFINET Switch vs Ethernet Switch

PROFINET does not require specialized switches. PROFINET projects can employ standard Ethernet switches that satisfy the minimum requirements of 100 Mbit/s IEEE 802.3 and full-duplex transmission.  Nowadays, most off-the-shelf Ethernet switches fulfill both requirements and therefore are suitable for PROFINET. Three terms you might encounter when choosing a switch for a PROFINET project are managed…

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PROFINET Controller vs Device

PROFINET is a communication protocol to exchange data between controllers and devices. PROFINET components employ the consumer provider model for data exchange. With this model, controllers and IO devices can both assume consumer and provider roles, leveraging the full-duplex nature of Ethernet. Now, let’s explore three component roles you can observe in a PROFINET installation:…

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A Complete Comparison: PROFINET RT vs IRT

In the PROFINET world, PROFINET Real Time (RT) and PROFINET Isochronous Real Time (IRT) are common terms. PROFINET RT and IRT can be employed to deliver data within a PROFINET network. PROFINET RT is equipped in all PROFINET components and fulfills the majority of industrial automation timing requirements. PROFINET IRT is optional as it is…

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Can PROFINET and Ethernet Employ the Same Switch?

Switches are crucial components in industrial networks. They are commonly implemented in PROFINET configurations to deploy various topology options (i.e., tree, star, line, ring). But are those switches able to handle PROFINET telegrams and other Ethernet traffic? PROFINET can coexist with other Ethernet-based protocols in the same network and share network infrastructure, such as switches…

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What is PROFINET? – PROFINET Explained

This article answers a very general but common question: What is PROFINET? PROFINET is an open Industrial Ethernet solution based on international standards. It is a communication protocol designed to exchange data between controllers and devices in an automation setting. It was introduced in the early 2000s and is the most well-adopted Industrial Ethernet solution….

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FAQ on PROFINET Basics (get your questions answered!)

This article resolves some of the most common introductory questions about PROFINET. Besides this FAQ, you can learn more about PROFINET by watching this on-demand webinar: How PROFINET Works? A Beginner’s Guide. PROFINET Introduction FAQ Can an Ethernet protocol be deterministic? Ethernet on its own is not deterministic. But Ethernet-based protocols can use their own…

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The Difference Between PROFINET and PROFIsafe

PROFINET and PROFIsafe have very similar names and were both created by PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI). Besides the similarities in origin and name, PROFINET and PROFIsafe are different technologies. PROFINET is an open industrial Ethernet standard that offers real-time data exchange while maintaining openness for flexible plant and machine concepts. Aside from the standard…

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Fieldbus vs 4-20 mA – A Comprehensive Comparison

This blog post explains one of the most dramatic evolutions in Industrial Automation: The transition from 4-20 mA to digital Fieldbuses. It compares the two and highlights key benefits and new business models arising from the implementation of fieldbuses. The Difference Between 4–20 mA and Digital Fieldbuses The factory floor has evolved dramatically over the…

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