DIY Profinet
Introduction
Profinet is an industry technical standard for data communication over Industrial Ethernet, designed for collecting data from and controlling equipment in industrial systems, with a particular strength in delivering data under tight time constraints. It is a communication protocol for industrial automation and is the most commonly used protocol for industrial Ethernet networks.
Overview
Profinet is a member of the family of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) technologies for industrial automation. It is designed to exchange data between controllers and devices in an automation setting. Profinet uses the full speed of standard Ethernet and is real-time capable. The protocol can be used for both process and discrete manufacturing.
History
Profinet was developed by Siemens and first released in 2000. It was designed to provide real-time Ethernet solutions for industrial automation. The protocol has undergone several revisions and updates since its initial release, with the most recent version, Profinet V2.4, released in 2018.
Technical Details
Profinet operates over standard Ethernet and uses TCP/IP and IT standards for communication. It supports data rates up to 100 Mbit/s. The protocol uses a real-time channel to deliver time-critical data (cyclic communication) and a standard TCP/IP channel for non-time-critical data (acyclic communication).
Profinet Components
Profinet consists of several key components, including:
- Controllers: These are the devices that control the operation of the Profinet network. They can be PLCs, PCs, or other types of industrial controllers.
- Devices: These are the end devices that perform the actual industrial tasks. They can be I/O devices, drives, or other types of industrial equipment.
- Network Infrastructure: This includes the Ethernet switches, cables, and other hardware that make up the physical network.
Profinet Protocols
Profinet uses several protocols for communication, including:
- Profinet IO: This is the most common protocol used in Profinet. It is used for cyclic communication between controllers and devices.
- Profinet CBA: This protocol is used for component-based automation and allows for flexible and modular system design.
- Profinet IRT: This protocol is used for isochronous real-time communication and is typically used in drive technology.
DIY Profinet
Building a Profinet network requires a basic understanding of the Profinet protocol, the necessary hardware components, and the software tools for configuration and diagnostics.
