Profinet

Introduction to PROFINET IO PROFINET IO is a fieldbus protocol that

enables communication between programmable controllers and distributed
field devices in Ethernet network. The protocol classifies devices into
IO controllers, IO supervisors and IO devices, which have a specific
collection of services. PROFINET IO uses three different communication
channels to exchange data. The standard UDP/IP and TCP/IP channel is
used for parameterization and configuration of devices and for acyclic
operations. The Real Time (RT) channel is used for cyclic data transfer
and alarms. The third channel, Isochronous Real Time (IRT) channel, is
used e.g. in motion control applications (not implemented in SI-EP3).
PROFINET IO devices are structured in slots and sub-slots, which can
contain modules and sub-modules correspondingly. Devices can have almost
any number of slots and sub-slots and they can be virtual or real.
Device specific data is represented in slot 0, module and sub-module
specific data in subsequent slots and sub slots. YASKAWA SIEP C730600
89E PROFINET Technical Manual 32 8 Communication One of the benefits of
PROFINET IO is the diagnostics and alarm mechanism. Every module and
sub-module provide alarm data to the IO controller using the cyclic
channel. Diagnostic data can be read non-cyclically from the device by
using record data. Properties and services of a PROFINET IO device are
described in a GSD file that is written in General Station Description
Markup Language (GSDML). GSD file describes the device specific modules
and the method of assigning modules and sub-modules to predefined slots
and sub-slots.

What is PROFINET? Everything you

need to know
PUBLISHED DATEAUGUST 5, 2024
AUTHORJARED WORTH

PROFINET (Process Field Network) is an open Industrial Ethernet communication

protocol used to enable real-time communication between controllers and devices used
in industrial automation. It’s a similar protocol to PROFIBUS, though PROFIBUS
operates under fieldbus protocol rather than Ethernet. Read on to learn more about
PROFINET, its functions, and what makes it such a valuable solution for industrial
automation.

History of PROFINET
The first version of PROFINET, PROFINET CBA (Component Based Automation)
was released in 2001 and later deprecated in 2014. This initial version never caught on,
unlike its successor PROFINET IO (Input Output).

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PROFINET IO was released in 2003, and became the foundation which future
PROFINET updates were built upon. One of the biggest of these updates was in 2019,
when Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) was added.

Since PROFINET is an open protocol, manufacturers across the globe have been able
to develop PROFINET-capable devices like robots, PLCs, IOs, and more.

How does PROFINET work?

PROFINET systems are made up of three types of components: supervisors,
controllers, and devices.

IO Supervisor: IO supervisors serve to commission PROFINET systems, set device

parameters, and perform diagnostic checks. They correspond to Class 2 masters in
PROFIBUS systems. Supervisors do not need to be connected to the network when not
in use.

IO Controller: IO controllers fulfill a similar role in PROFINET systems as Class 1

masters in PROFIBUS systems. They are typically a programmable logic controller
(PLC) responsible for managing the automation program. This consists of controlling
IO-devices, and aggregating the data sent back to the controller from each device.

IO Device: IO devices are field devices that send and receive data cyclically with one
or more IO-controllers. These are the equivalent to slave devices in PROFIBUS
networks. IO-devices can also send alarm and diagnostic data to IO-supervisors as
needed.
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Each of the above components works together over an Ethernet network to reliably
exchange real-time data, utilizing a variety of communication standards.

A PROFINET network requires, at minimum, a single IO-controller and IO-device.

IO-supervisors can also be temporarily utilized for IO-device setup and diagnostics,
but are not essential to the function of a PROFINET network.

PROFINET communication standards

When talking about communication standards used in PROFINET networks, there are
three major standards to understand: TCP/IP or UDP/IP, PROFINET Real-Time (RT),
and PROFINET Isochronous Real-Time (IRT).

TCP/IP or UDP/IP: These protocols are used in applications that are not time-critical,
such as diagnostics, configuration, and parameterization. This is due to the added jitter
and latency found with IP-based communication.

PROFINET RT: PROFINET RT is by far the most used communication protocol for
PROFINET networks. In essence, PROFINET RT skips over the network and
transport layers when transferring data, vastly reducing the time necessary to do so.
PROFINET RT can achieve cycle times between 250µs and 512ms.

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PROFINET IRT: PROFINET IRT takes PROFINET RT one step further by
minimizing the jitter found in high traffic applications. IRT achieves 31.25µs cycle
times and just one µs of jitter. It’s most often used in material processing machines
(ceramic, wood, or glass), plastic injection molding machines, and packaging
machines.

Advantages of using PROFINET

With PROFINET come a number of advantages that set it apart from similar protocols
like PROFIBUS. Among these are scalability, flexibility, and integration with other
systems.

Scalability: Being built on an Ethernet physical layer allows PROFINET to be

deployed in various different topologies, including star, ring, and tree. Peer-to-peer
and IO communications are also available, making it easy to scale PROFINET
networks to your business’ needs.

Flexibility: Optional features available with PROFINET — such as redundancies,

time stamping, IRT, and diagnostic alarms — make it an extremely flexible and
modular system. A company’s specific needs can be catered to through PROFINET,
all while operating under industry-standard ethernet protocols.

Integration with other systems: Since PROFINET operates using industrial ethernet,
it’s compatible with standard Ethernet and can provide TCP/IP function as needed.
Integration with standard ethernet is easy, and can allow global operations to be
connected through PROFINET.

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 Integrating PROFINET and IIoT
Being an Ethernet-based protocol with open standards, PROFINET is more than ideal
for integration with the industrial internet of things (IIoT). All the data is already being
collected; IIoT integration simply allows trends to be followed and conclusions to be
drawn from that data.

Integrating PROFINET networks with IIoT can eliminate unplanned machine

downtime by alerting operators to performance parameters outside of established
benchmarks. This allows operators the opportunity to plan maintenance in advance and
minimize the amount of downtime needed, while avoiding unexpected failures or
shutdowns.

Read more: Cable Monitoring with Smart Plastics: What It Is & How It Works

Conclusion
When it comes to easy-to-use factory automation solutions, PROFINET is the
undisputed leader. Lightning fast data transfer speeds, incredible reliability, and
extensive functionality all work together to create a protocol that will be around for
decades to come.

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What is PROFINET? Communication protocol designed to exchange data
between controllers and devices Controllers: PLCs, DCSs, PACs…
Devices: IO blocks, vision systems, RFID readers, drives, process
instruments… Open Industrial Ethernet standard (IEC 61158) Physical
Layer: Industrial Ethernet Allows coexistence with other Ethernet
protocols PROFINET exchanges IO data with the appropriate speed and
determinism Real-time performance Web/TCP/IP www PC PLC HMI Firewall
Router Access Point Field device Motion Control Field device PLC =
Programmable Logic Controller DCS = Distributed Control System PAC =
Programmable Automation Controller PI North America

PROFINET Highlights 1. Flexible topology and media 2. User friendly

interface 3. Device diagnostic and asset information 4. Support of
motion control applications 5. IT integration: one system for all 6.
Options to implement scalable redundancy configurations 7. Energy
management profile: PROFIenergy 8. The integrated safety solution:
PROFIsafe 9. IO-Link integration 10. Huge organization and support

Networking Knowledge Full-duplex vs half-duplex communication:

cellphone vs walkie talkie Full-duplex transmission: Data can be
transmitted in both directions at the same time. Half-duplex
transmission: Data can be transmitted in both directions, but not at
the same time. PI N

Introduction to PROFINET IO PROFINET IO is a fieldbus protocol that

enables communication between programmable controllers and
distributed field devices in Ethernet network. The protocol
classifies devices into IO controllers, IO supervisors and IO
devices, which have a specific collection of services. PROFINET IO
uses three different communication channels to exchange data. The
standard UDP/IP and TCP/IP channel is used for parameterization and
configuration of devices and for acyclic operations. The Real Time
(RT) channel is used for cyclic data transfer and alarms. The third
channel, Isochronous Real Time (IRT) channel, is used e.g. in motion
control applications (not implemented in SI-EP3). PROFINET IO devices
are structured in slots and sub-slots, which can contain modules and

6
sub-modules correspondingly. Devices can have almost any number of
slots and sub-slots and they can be virtual or real. Device specific
data is represented in slot 0, module and sub-module specific data
in subsequent slots and sub slots. YASKAWA SIEP C730600 89E PROFINET
Technical Manual 32 8 Communication One of the benefits of PROFINET
IO is the diagnostics and alarm mechanism. Every module and sub-
module provide alarm data to the IO controller using the cyclic
channel. Diagnostic data can be read non-cyclically from the device
by using record data. Properties and services of a PROFINET IO device
are described in a GSD file that is written in General Station
Description Markup Language (GSDML). GSD file describes the device
specific modules and the method of assigning modules and sub-modules
to predefined slots and sub-slots.