FAQ on PROFINET Basics (get your questions answered!)
loading… 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…
The Difference Between PROFINET and PROFIsafe
loading… 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…
What Is the Difference Between PROFIBUS DP and PA?
loading… There are two flavors of PROFIBUS: PROFIBUS Decentralized Peripherals (DP) and Process Automation (PA). Each type targets different applications. PROFIBUS PA is used in process automation. The physical layer of PROFIBUS PA is Manchester Encoded Bus Powered (MBP), and the physical layer for PROFIBUS DP is RS-485. Even though a different physical layer is…
How Many Nodes Can Be Connected on a PROFIBUS Network?
loading… “How many devices or nodes can be on a PROFIBUS network?” is a common question for PROFIBUS beginners. This information is critical when designing a PROFIBUS network. In PROFIBUS networks, each segment can have a maximum of 32 nodes, counting master and devices. The maximum number of nodes with addresses in the overall network…
Fieldbus vs 4-20 mA – A Comprehensive Comparison
loading… 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…
10 Reasons to Choose PROFINET
loading… PROFINET is the leading and most advanced communication protocol for automation. Currently, in 2020, there are over 32 million PROFINET nodes installed. This article contains 10 reasons or highlights to choose PROFINET for your product or automation project. 1.- Flexible Topology and Media With PROFINET, you can implement various topology options such as line,…
PROFINET Development FAQ
loading… This month, we hosted a webinar on PROFINET Development: 7 Steps to Develop a PROFINET Device. There are many choices of ways to add PROFINET to an automation device. This webinar gave developers an overview of the seven steps to embed PROFINET in a product. In this article, I will expand on some questions…
PROFINET Cables: Requirements, Specifications, and Types
loading… In this article, you can learn all about a crucial piece of infrastructure in PROFINET networks: the Cabling. A PROFINET network is based on standard IEEE 802.3 Ethernet. Therefore, you can utilize standard Ethernet cables to build your PROFINET network. You might have heard the term: PROFINET cable before. We will reference this term…
How does PROFIBUS DP work?
loading… The communication basis for PROFIBUS lies in the cyclic data exchange between PLCs (masters) and devices (slaves). PROFIBUS components communicate using the PROFIBUS DP (Decentralized Periphery) communication protocol, which is the same for all applications and which allows cyclical and acyclical communication. The core of the communication process of PROFIBUS DP is the master-slave…
PROFIenergy: Energy Management for Industrial Networks
loading… The motivation for PROFIenergy, the energy management Application Profile… Energy is one of the most significant cost burdens in many manufacturing facilities. Automation components consume a large amount of energy during production. Additionally, energy consumption can also be significant during production-free periods, as shown in orange in the diagram below. PROFIenergy offers energy-saving capabilities…