Ethernet usage reduces automation costs

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Jan 7, 2008

The consistent use of Ethernet in automation systems produces a big cost reducing potential in planning, commissioning and maintenance of networked automation systems.

The Profibus Group said that the consistent use of Ethernet in automation systems produces a big cost reducing potential in planning, commissioning and maintenance of networked automation systems in the machinery and equipment building industry.

This fact was one of the main motivations of PI (PROFIBUS and PROFINET International) to pursue the development of PROFINET.

Within the framework of the project titled 'Real-time Ethernet in sensor/actor networking' supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the potential of today's real-time Ethernet systems is analysed by the Institute Industrial IT of the University of Applied Science of Lippe and Hoexter (inIT).

The focal point here is on the really achievable performance under real conditions in typical applications.

The project reveals that the underlying individual frame setup of PROFINET offers the biggest performance potential in real machine and plant structures.

In this respect, it became obvious that in the field of complex machine/plant structures the PROFINET performance is significantly better than all other systems.

Optimisation potential exists only in simple line structures in case of small data volumes.

On account of approaches for optimisation which can be included easily in today's PROFINET technology, PROFINET can be used also in the field of simple sensor/actor networking with a pure line topology and its typically small data volumes per subscriber.

Activities have already been initiated in this respect, which are aimed at the specification and test of compatible extensions.

With this measure to optimise IRT, PROFINET is developing into the best performing Ethernet system in all applications used in industrial automation systems.

In addition, the project has revealed that PROFINET profits from the Ethernet evolution (such as increase of the bit rate to 1GBit/s) more than any other systems, which makes PROFINET the fastest and most universal real-time Ethernet system which offers the openness for TCP/IP and IT communication at the same time.

This guarantees a high degree of security for the future.