PROFINET is the innovative open standard for Industrial Ethernet. PROFINET satisfies all requirements of automation technology. PROFINET enables solutions to be developed for factory automation, process automation, safety applications, and the entire range of drive technology up to and including isochronous motion control applications.

Besides the real-time capability and the use of IT technology, protection of investment also plays an important
role in PROFINET. PROFINET allows existing fieldbus systems such as PROFIBUS DP, PROFIBUS PA, ASInterface, INTERBUS, and DeviceNet to be integrated without changes to existing field devices. That means that the investments of plant operators, machine and plant manufacturers, and device manufacturers are all protected.

 The use of open standards, simple handling, and the integration of existing system components has driven the
definition of PROFINET from the beginning. PROFINET is standardized in IEC 61158 and IEC 61784. The ongoing further development of PROFINET offers users a long-term view for the implementation of their automation tasks.

For plant and machine manufacturers, the use of PROFINET minimizes the costs for installation, engineering, and commissioning. For plant operators, PROFINET offers ease of plant expansion and high system availability due to autonomously running plant units and low maintenance requirements.

I/O Addressing for Profinet

1. MAC addressing

2. IP addressing

3. Device name, a logical name for the module within the total configuration

Network tropology 

Plant-wide Engineering and Diagnostics Ethernet & PROFINET: one network for all your tasks

PROFINET GSD File Basics

                 A PROFINET General Station Description (GSD) file is a description of an IO device provided by the device manufacturer. The contents of the GSD consists of configuration information, parameters, modules, diagnostic and alarms, and vendor and device identification. To discuss the latter two in a little more detail, the vendor identification (vendor ID) is a number which is provided by PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) which is unique to each vendor. And the device identification (device ID) is set by the manufacturer of the device and is unique for each device family.

Why do we need a GSD for the device?

The GSD file is a standardized way of describing the device information to the engineering tool and the IO controller (PLC/PAC/DCS) and can work across a variety of engineering tools as a standard set of device information. A GSD file will be imported into the PROFINET configuration tool of the controller. Once the GSD file has been imported you can set up the
PROFINET IO device and will be able to configure, parameterize, and choose diagnostic options in the tool. Remember to get the latest GSD from your device manufacturer and contact them if you have any questions.

Industrial Ethernet coexistence

Advantage of PROFINET Protocol

Able to operate in harsh industrial environment

Able to deliver the required speed and precision

Highly scalable architectures

Access to field devices over the network.

Maintenance and servicing from anywhere (even over the internet)

 Lover cost for production/quality data monitoring.

Can provide safety, energy management and IT integration