PROFINET

Introduction

Rajeesh Nullikkentavida

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 58 M
Published in 2003, became part of
the international standard IEC
61158 / IEC 61784-2 in 2006.

Designed to be the Ethernet based

successor to PROFIBUS

www.profibus.com
www.profinet.com

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PROFINET & OSI Model

RT : Real-Time (unsynchronized)
IRT : Isochronous Real-Time (synchronized)
NRT : Non-Real-Time

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Conformance Classes
CC: A way to organize PROFINET IO functions and certify devices

Class D: same as class C features but uses TSN

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Combining CCs

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Device Model

GSDML
File

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Basics
Application Process (AP) : Part of a distributed application AP AP
on a network, which is located on one device and
unambiguously addressed.

Application Relation (AR) : Cooperative association between

two application processes for info exchange and coordination. AP

• IO AR
• Supervisor AR
• Device Access AR
• Implicit AR

Communication Relation (CR) : Carries out exchange of

information based on a set of rules.

Station Name : Unique identity of the device within the DCP

group.
Device Roles : IO Controller, IO Device, IO Supervisor

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Cyclic Data Exchange
Cyclic: process data
Acyclic: configuration, record data, diagnostics
Notification: Alarms (on/off)

IO Controller IO Device Sample System

Cyclic Update

Consumer Provider

Cyclic Update
Provider Consumer

Provider – Consumer model

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Timing Basics

Time base : 31.25 µs

Send Clock factor : 1…128 (Device GSDML specifies supported values, all device shall support value 32)

Reduction Ratio : 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512

Update Time = Time base x Send Clock factor x Reduction Ratio (µs)

MinDeviceInterval : Device may limit the fastest update time using this attribute value in GSDML file.

Watchdog factor : how long after the last valid data exchange the devices consider their connection to be lost.

Data Hold factor : how long an IO Device will hold its outputs after the last valid data exchange with the IO Controller.

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Update Time
Different devices can have different update times
(send / receive cycles) .

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Diagnostics and Alarms

ALARM TYPES (not exhaustive)

Diagnostics are associated with channels or IO points, communicated
on demand (acyclic) via record data service. Diagnostic Appears
Process Alarm
Alarms Module/Submodule Pull Alarm
communicated via cyclic channel
Module/Submodule Plug Alarm
Provides a flexible alarm model for signalling device and network errors
with three alarm levels (maintenance requirement, urgent maintenance Status Alarm
requirement and diagnostics). Update Alarm
Redundancy Alarm
Supervisor Control Alarm
Supervisor Release Alarm
Wrong Submodule Alarm
Diagnostic disappears alarm
Multicast communications mismatch
Port Data Change Notification Alarm
Sync Data Change Notification Alarm
Isochronous Mode Notification Alarm

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Interesting Optional Features

Intelligent Device (I-Device)

This feature allows a controller to be both a device and

controller simultaneously, enabling controller to controller
(C2C) communication with PROFINET.

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Interesting Optional Features

Shared Device

A device can support multiple and simultaneous controller

connections. When configuring a Shared Device, users
can set up input and output modules to be exclusive for a
particular controller. Also, they can set up shared inputs.

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Interesting Optional Features

Dynamic Reconfiguration (CiR)

DR allows users to reconfigure, insert, remove, or replace

devices or modules without stopping the control
application. There is no need to shut down or interrupt the
network for plant repairs, modifications, or expansions. To
use the DR feature, the engineering tool and the controller
must support DR.

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High Availability

Controller Redundancy Device Redundancy

Media Redundancy via MRP / MRPD ring

Network Redundancy

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Application Profiles
General Application Profiles
Application profiles specify the form, i.e. syntax and meaning,
in which process data and selected device parameters and
device functions are exchanged between the nodes via the
communication system.

Specific Application Profiles

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Interoperability
PROFINET Proxy
Special gateway device that maps not just I/O data, but also alarms,
diagnostic information, and even network topology and health, as
defined by PI org.

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Useful Tools
GSD Checker (PI)
PRONETA (Siemens)
Wireshark
PROFINET Inspektor (InduSol), NetAnalyzer (Hilscher)
Siemens SIMIT platform PROFINET IO device simulation.

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Online Resources
https://profinetuniversity.com/
https://www.profibus.com/
https://www.profinet.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@MinutePROFINET
https://www.youtube.com/@realpars

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Standards
IEC 61918 : Specifies basic requirements for the installation of media for communication networks in industrial premises and within and between the
automation islands, of industrial sites.

IEC 61158 : Specifies the generic concept of fieldbuses.

IEC 61784-2 : Industrial networks - Profiles - Part 2-0: Additional real-time fieldbus profiles based on ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3 - General concepts and
terminology.

IEC 61784-5-3 : Industrial communication networks - Profiles - Part 5-3: Installation of fieldbuses - Installation profiles for CPF 3.

IEC 24702 : Specifies generic cabling that supports a wide range of communications services including automation, process control and
monitoring applications for use within industrial premises or industrial areas within other types of premises.

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se.com
PB vs PN

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PROFINET Frame

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Wireshark - PROFINET Alarm

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