Anybus Gateways for PROFINET IRT v2.3 Launched

Phil Black - PII Editor 28/02/2017

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HMS Industrial Networks now releases new versions of their widely-used Anybus gateways for PROFINET IRT. The new versions allow machine builders and system integrators to connect any industrial device, machine or network to PROFINET IRT and comply with all the latest requirements of PROFINET specification v2.3 and onwards.

What are Anybus gateways?

Anybus gateways enable communication between machines and industrial networks, especially focusing on fieldbuses and industrial Ethernet. Anybus X-gateways connect any two industrial networks while Anybus Communicators connect non-networked devices via a serial line (RS232/422/485) or a CAN interface to all major fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks.

New network combinations launched within the Anybus X-gateway range
All Anybus X-gateways for PROFINET IRT are now upgraded to be conform to the PROFINET v2.3 specification, allowing up-to-date and conform connectivity between PROFINET IRT and a vast number of different industrial networks such as EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus-TCP and PROFIBUS.

New Anybus Communicators allow serial devices to communicate on PROFINET IRT

HMS can now also offer Anybus Communicators for PROFINET IRT allowing any serial (RS232/422/485) or CAN-based device to communicate on PROFINET IRT v2.3. All gateways are conformance tested for network compliance.

Anybus gateways allow users to comply with the demands of the AIDA group

The new PROFINET IRT v2.3 standard sets high demands when it comes to PROFINET network performance,» comments Markus Bladh, Product Manager at HMS.

Since we always aim to be compatible with the latest network standards, we have implemented our award-winning network processor Anybus NP40 in the new gateways to handle the demands of PROFINET standard v2.3.

This means that users can comply with the demands of the AIDA-group (the German Automobile Manufacturers) and deliver automation equipment that is up to their standards, simply by connecting an Anybus gateway.

Key technical characteristics

All new versions support PROFINET RT Class 1 and 3 and come with a PROFINET IRT Ethernet cut-through switch implemented in the module´s processor – ideal when true low microsecond latency is needed.

The gateways are conformance-tested to support Class A, B and C. PROFINET IRT Device/Slave settings can be made either via the built-in web interface, or by importing the provided .GSDML file into engineering tool of the controlling PLC.

IRT stands for Isochronous Real-Time – meaning that data exchange cycles are usually in the range of a few hundred microseconds up to a few milliseconds.

The difference to real-time communication is essentially the high degree of determinism, so that the start of a network cycle is maintained with high precision.

The start of a network cycle can deviate up to 1 µs (jitter). IRT is required, for example, for motion control applications (positioning control processes) because these devices need to be synchronised. SOURCE: Wikipedia