Karl Büttner, Endress + Hauser, Head of the “PA Marketing” PI Working Group

and

Werner Längin, AUMA Riester, Member of the “PA Marketing” PI Working Group

In the process industry, and in automation technology, in particular, digitalization is currently a hot topic where the goal is to be able to respond to plant and market events quicker and more effectively than before. This concerns both process control and the capture of data and information from the plant. Both of these require powerful and continuous, plant-wide communication technology like that currently provided by Industrial Ethernet. Manufacturers are working together intensively with users on the use of this technology for process automation.

The project being conducted by PROFIBUS & PROFINET, which enables leading factory-automation (FA) PROFINET technology to also be used in process automation (PA), is one example. This includes the expansion of PROFINET functions to also meet the needs of PA, such as the recently published new PA device profile 4.0 focusing on PROFINET. Also part of this is the development of an advanced physical layer (APL) for the use of Industrial Ethernet networks – including in potentially explosive zones – and device integration with FDI as well.

This PI development offensive relies on intensive contact with users like the NAMUR and their experience and expectations. As a result, “PROFINET with PA profile” now offers concrete benefits for all four phases of a plant’s life as shown in the illustration below:

To read to the complete article, click the following link:

PROFINET with PA Profile