Field communication

by flexible PROFIBUS architectures

Distributed peripherals such as remote I/O stations with their

Industrial Ethernet
I/O modules, transmitters, drives, valves or operator terminals
communicate with the controllers at field level through a Automation system
powerful real-time bus system. This communication is charac-
terized by Long distances
with fiber-optic
■ cyclic transmission of process data PROFIBUS DP
■ acyclic transmission of alarms, parameters and diagnostics
data. OLM OLM

PROFIBUS is ideal for these tasks because it enables high-

speed communication with the intelligent distributed I/O
(PROFIBUS DP) as well as communication and simultaneous PROFIBUS PA
power supply for transmitters and actuators (PROFIBUS PA).
DP/PA link
PROFIBUS is easy, robust and reliable, can be expanded online
by further distributed components, and can be used in stan-
Ex isolation
dard and hazardous areas. + repeater
In addition, PROFIBUS offers versatile facilities for communi- PROFIBUS DP

cation and line diagnostics, as well as for the diagnostics of RS 485-iS coupler
the connected intelligent field devices. Furthermore, it is fully
PROFIBUS transmission systems
integrated into the global asset management capabilities of
the SIMATIC PCS 7 process control system. In addition to all these properties, the following PROFIBUS
PROFIBUS supports the coexistence of field devices from dif- functions are particularly relevant to process automation:
ferent vendors in one segment (interoperability) as well as the ■ Integration of previously installed HART devices
vendor-independent replacement of devices from within a ■ Redundancy
profile family. ■ Safety-related communication with PROFIsafe up to SIL 3
according to IEC 61508
■ Time synchronization
■ Time stamping

The PROFIBUS PA fieldbus developed for direct linking of sen-

sors and actuators is integrated into the PROFIBUS DP over a
redundant or non-redundant coupler. Using a non-redundant
coupler, a PROFIBUS PA of line or tree topology can be imple-
mented on redundant or non-redundant PROFIBUS DP. Higher
availability is achieved by the redundant coupler in combina-
tion with a line or ring topology. A configuration with a redun-
dant coupler and ring topology is able to tolerate single faults
such as the failure of a DP/PA coupler or an open-circuit in the
bus cable.

12 Safety Integrated fieldbus technology

PROFIsafe –
PROFIBUS safety-related communication

The PROFIsafe profile is implemented as an additional soft-

Safety- Standard Safety- Standard ware layer within the devices/systems without modifying the
related data related data communication mechanisms of the standard PROFIBUS.
data data
PROFIsafe expands the telegrams by additional information
with which the PROFIsafe communications partners can
recognize and compensate transmission errors such as delays,
incorrect sequences, repetitions, losses, faulty addressing or
PROFIsafe PROFIsafe data falsification. The following fault detection measures are
layer layer carried out and checked for this purpose in every communica-
tions partner.
Standard Standard
bus protocol bus protocol PROFIsafe communication complies with the standards and
safety requirements up to SIL 3.

PROFIBUS

Standard and safety-related data are transmitted over the same bus line with
PROFIsafe. Collision-free communication is possible over a bus system with
media-independent network components.

Measure Consecutive Time expectation Identification of Data security

number with acknowledg- transmitter and CRC
Error ment receiver

Repetition ●
Loss ● ●
Insertion ● ● ●
Incorrect sequence ●
Data falsification ●
Delay ●
Coupling of safety-related messages and ● ● ●
standard messages (masquerade)
FIFO faults ●
PROFIsafe fault detection measures of communications partners

Safety Integrated fieldbus technology 13