Profibus and Profinet are industrial communication protocols used extensively now a days by many control systems.Profibus and Profinet are totally different protocols that uses different cables and connectors. Let’s see these protocols Profibus vs Profinet.how they differ from each other.
Profibus vs Profinet
Also named as process field bus, is a standard for fieldbus communication in automation technology, which is extensively used by Siemens.
Profibus communicates via a serial protocol behind which a complex machinery is housed to transport the data reliably through an industrial environment.
The protocol defines the message design, the access to the network and fault control. There are ASICs (chip) available to coordinate the entire protocol.
Profibus connection port look like DB-9 serial connector but protocol is totally different.
Profibus connectors have a pass-through port on back of connector so that the other devices can be connected in a daisy chain in a bus.
127 devices ca be connected in a single Profibus network, each device with a unique address should be defined.
Profibus networks operate at speeds of 9600 bits per second to 12 megabits per second.
While Profibus cables may be up to 1000 meters long, shorter cable lengths are required for higher data rates.
Profibus can also be defined as master /slave protocol just like Modbus but with an additional feature of supporting multi masters in a network.
There are two variations of Profibus used today, they are Profibus DP (Decentralised Peripherals) and Profibus PA (Process Automation).
Profibus vs Profinet
Also named as process field net,is an Ethernet-based communication protocol.
The standard is maintained and supported by PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI).
The physical interface used for Profinet is a standard RJ-45 Ethernet jack.
They are also used extensively in Siemens control systems.
A standard Ethernet cable can be used to connect the Profinet devices, but for harsh industrial environments
Profinet cables should be used as it contains robust shielding.
Profinet operates at 100 megabits per second, and cables may be up to 100 meters in length.
Due to its high-speed operation and a response time of less than 1 millisecond, Profinet is ideal for high-speed applications.
Profinet can use a standard Ethernet switch to expand a network.
Profinet devices have three types of address:
- IP address
- MAC address
- Device name
All Ethernet devices use IP addresses and MAC addresses, but the device name is unique to Profinet devices.
As an automation engineer, you will be primarily concerned with Device Names and IP addresses as you configure your Profinet networks.
Profinet IO follows Provider/Customer model for data exchange.Due to its higher speed and flexibility Profinet is more preferred over Profibus.
Profibus vs Profinet:
|Media||Serial field bus||Industrial Ethernet|
|Type of Communication||Master/Slave||Provider/Customer type of communication|
|Speed Operates||12 megabits per second||100 megabits per second|
|File use for Define|
|GSD files||GSD files|
|Files uses||ASCII files||XML files|
Profibus is a classical serial field bus whereas Profinet is an Industrial Ethernet standard.
Profibus supports Master/Slave whereas Profinet supports Provider/Customer type of communication.
Profibus operates at a 12 megabits per second speed whereas Profinet operates at 100 megabits per second.
Profibus and Profinet use GSD files for define the hardware for various devices.
Profibus uses ASCII files whereas Profinet uses XML files.In case of Profibus,
there is a facility for wireless transmission of messages; however, it requires similar based proprietary radios at both ends.
As Profinet works on standard Ethernet, it can easily use WiFi or Bluetooth for wireless transmission.Both protocols are widely used today based on the requirements.