AUMA ACE C 01.2 Profinet Series Manual page 6

General information on Profinet
2. General information on Profinet
2.1. Basic characteristics
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Profinet I/O is a communication protocol for industrial automation engineering based
on Ethernet and standardised by the PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V. (PNO)
worldwide. Profinet enables real time communication (RT) with short cycle times as
well as acyclic communication (non RT) for configuration and diagnostic.
As communication network for field devices, Profnet reserves many advantages
across the total lifecycle of a site. Advantages include economy in cable connections
and system components as well as simplification of processes within the overall
business environment.
Some of the advantageous Profinet features are:
Virtually unlimited number of participants within the network
Flexible topologies (line, star, tree, ring,...)
Topologies can easily be scaled and expanded
Network topology can be planned and programmed offline
Large network expansion by cascading via switches
High performance (cycle times within the range of 1 8 ms and high throughput),
in particular for large data volumes (diagnostic, file transfer, etc.)
Easy device replacement without requirement of new bus configuration
Simple maintenance
Use of available networks and IT know-how
Seamless and vertical integration of process and production data from field
level into the cross-functional information systems
Simple access to device data on field level without proprietary gateways
Integration of web servers or universal interfaces such as OPC UA within the
device
Multitude of network components, software tools and safety technologies
available
Combination of various transmission media like copper cables, fibre optic cables
or WLAN
Based on Ethernet and IT protocols, Profinet automatically benefits from the
continuous development thanks to a large number of market competitors.
Consequently, Profinet is a future-proof device communication and protects long-term
investments.
Profinet defines the technical and functional features of a communication system
based on Industrial Ethernet, used for interconnecting distributed digital automation
devices.
Profinet makes the distinction between I/O controller (master) and I/O devices (slave).
Profinet is designed for fast data exchange on field level. Here, central control devices
(PLC or PC) communicate via a fast network with peripheral field devices such as
input devices, output devices, valves, and actuators.
Data exchange among these field devices is based on cyclic communication. The
necessary communication functions are defined by the basic Profinet functions
according to IEC 61158 and IEC 61784.
Actuator controls
AC 01.2/ACExC 01.2 Profinet