Profiles

PROFIBUS Application Profiles are vendor-independent specifications implemented into PROFIBUS devices to enable the uniform behavior of devices from different manufacturers. The basic functions and services of the nodes must match to ensure smooth interaction between the bus nodes. They have to “speak the same language” and use the same concepts and data formats. This applies both for communication and for device functions and industry sector solutions. This uniformity is achieved through the use of “profiles” relating to device families or special industry sector solutions. These profiles specify features which “profile devices” must exhibit as a mandatory requirement. These can be cross-device-class features, such as safety-relevant behavior (Common Application Profiles) or device-class-specific features (Specific Application Profiles). Application Profiles are specified and maintained by PI Working Groups.