Adoption of PA Profile V4.0 enables PROFINET to be used in Process Automation
With the adoption of the final version of the communication-independent PA profile V4.0, PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) has taken an important step toward making PROFINET suitable for use in process automation equipment of the Industry 4.0 generation.
PROFINET, as an Ethernet-based communication technology, is increasingly evolving into a pillar for automation concepts of the future, as the transfer of larger amounts of information becomes an essential feature. Using profiles, PROFINET is also able to give the data semantics, allowing it to take on useful significance.
Accommodating Industrie 4.0
Industry 4.0 presents greater challenges for communication systems. Field devices that are utilised in process automation deliver for example a number of readings and comprehensive diagnostic information about their condition. Additionally, extensive parameters are available for the configuration.
Moreover, the inclusion of the devices in asset management, condition monitoring and IT systems requires extra bandwidths and Ethernet support. With OPC UA, the connection to higher levels is easy to implement via NOA (NAMUR Open Architecture), for instance, without requiring an additional network. The PA profile was coordinated with NAMUR specialists, among others, resulting in its compliance with the relevant NAMUR recommendations (NE107 and NE131).
Besides the outstanding performance already available today, PROFINET also provides an array of extensive functions for process applications. This includes optimum redundancy mechanisms, dynamic reconfiguration for smooth device swapping during operation, and time stamping for the recording of event sequences, etc. The PA profile is now being made available for PROFINET for the first time in a new version, thereby fulfilling another important demand of the users.
Meeting the Next Challenge
But in order to also be able to service industries such as oil and gas or chemicals, further technical conditions will have to be established for Ethernet at the field level. Longer wiring distances, two-wire technology, power supply via the bus, and intrinsic safety are not yet feasible by default with today’s Ethernet. PI, in cooperation with other organisations, has launched this topic with the goal of being able to implement PROFINET in all areas of process automation.
The PROFIBUS Group
- 0208 144 9597
- uk@profibus.com
- http://www.profibusgroup.com
- Suite 183, 19 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1AN GB
About us
PI UK was founded as The PROFIBUS Group in 1993 to promote the use of PROFIBUS in the UK. More recently it has added PROFINET and IO-Link to the range of technologies supported by the group and is now known as PROFIBUS and PROFINET International UK, or PI UK for short. Registered in the UK as a Trade Association, PI UK is run by a Steering Committee elected by its members. It is not a limited company and hence has no company registration number, but it is fully accountable within the UK and is VAT registered, number GB 643240662.
Where we supply to
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
