Engineering PROFIBUS networks with heterogeneous transmission media

Abstract

A significant number of process control and factory automation systems use PROFIBUS as the underlying fieldbus communication network. The process of properly setting up a PROFIBUS network is not a straightforward task. In fact, a number of network parameters must be set for guaranteeing the required levels of timeliness and dependability. Engineering PROFIBUS networks is even more subtle when the network includes various physical segments exhibiting heterogeneous specifications, such as bus speed or frame formats, just to mention a few. In this paper we provide underlying theory and a methodology to guarantee the proper operation of such type of heterogeneous PROFIBUS networks. We additionally show how the methodology can be applied to the practical case of PROFIBUS networks containing simultaneously DP (Decentralised Periphery) and PA (Process Automation) segments, two of the most used commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) PROFIBUS solutions. The importance of the findings is however not limited to this case. The proposed methodology can be generalised to cover other heterogeneous infrastructures. Hybrid wired/wireless solutions are just an example for which an enormous eagerness exists.

Recent and Emerging Topics in Wireless Industrial Communications: A Selection

“…This has in general been discussed in [1] and [9], whereas specific networks and protocols have for example been considered in [10]- [13].…”

“…• The error control mechanisms are not very sophisticated-coding is not available in the 2006 version 13 of the standard, nor are there any physical layer adaptation mechanisms that allow to vary physical layer parameters (like transmit power) from retransmission to retransmission in response to channel feedback. To facilitate the design of error control mechanisms, a better understanding of the error characteristics of IEEE 802.15.4-compliant transceivers in industrial environments will be useful [108], [109].…”

“…Therefore, there has not emerged a single transport and routing solution that satisfies all needs, but a number of specialized solutions for different settings have appeared: one class of protocols 13 The ultra-wideband physical layer specified in IEEE 802.15.4a includes error control coding.…”

Protocol converter for serial communication between digital rectifier controllers and a power plant SCADA system

“…Иако данас постоји велики број стандардних индустријских комуникационих протокола ("Ethernet" [5], "PROFIBUS DP" [2], "Modbus" [1], итд. ), различите варијанте "Modbus" протокола су убедљиво најзаступљеније у свету [4].…”

Efficient integration of secure and safety critical industrial wireless sensor networks

“…In [14], Sousa and Ferreira discussed and described the role of simulation tools in order to validate wireless extensions of the Profibus protocol. Other related research work on wireless extensions for traditional Profibus can be found in [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”