What is ProfiBUS/ProfiNET?

Today I will tell you about a different communication protocol used in PLC programming. We have previously examined the CanOPEN/CanBUS and EtherCAT protocols. Now let's talk about ProfiBUS and ProfiNET protocols, which are preferred in automations made with Siemens PLC. Let's move on to our article without wasting any time and learn what ProfiBUS and ProfiNET are.

What is ProfiBUS?

Profibus is an information processing and communication system. This system is used to send and receive data and control signals between many different types of devices and machines. Profibus is supported by device and machine manufacturers as it is a standard used in many industrial automation systems. In Turkish, Profibus means "professional data communication system".

There are two main types of PROFIBUS: PROFIBUS-DP (Decentralized Peripheral) and PROFIBUS-PA (Process Automation). PROFIBUS-DP is used for communication between decentralized field devices such as sensors, actuators and controllers. PROFIBUS-PA is used for communication between field devices and control systems in process automation applications.

Profibus is a data communication system used especially in industrial fields such as automation, energy, mining, transportation and industrial production. This system is used to send and receive data and control signals between many different types of devices and machines. For example, in an automation system, a sensor can send data and control signals between a motor and a control panel, transmitting the data collected by the sensors to the control panel and controlling the motors according to the data by the panel.

Profibus consists of a set of physical and data communication protocols that form a data communication system. Physically, Profibus enables data communication between devices using many different physical layers (e.g. cable, connectors, transceivers). Some of the data communication protocols are Profibus DP (Data Protocol), Profibus PA (Process Automation) and Profibus FMS (Fieldbus Message Specification). These protocols enable the orderly sending and receiving of data and control signals between devices.

Profibus is supported by device and machine manufacturers as it is a standard used in many industrial automation systems. In this way, it is possible to provide data communication between devices and machines produced by different manufacturers. Additionally, Profibus is considered a flexible data communication system because it can be used in many different applications and environments.

What are the differences between ProfiBUS
and ProfiNET?

Profibus and Profinet are data communication systems and are used in many industrial automation systems. However, there are some differences between these two systems.

Profibus is a data communication system developed in Germany in 1989 and used in many industrial automation systems. Profibus is used to send and receive data and control signals between many different types of devices and machines. As a data communication system, Profibus uses many different physical layers (e.g. cable, connectors, transceivers) and data communication protocols (e.g. Profibus DP, Profibus PA, Profibus FMS).

Profinet is a data communication system developed in Germany in 2002 and used in many industrial automation systems. Profinet is a newer system than Profibus and, unlike Profibus, is used to send and receive data and control signals over Ethernet between many different types of devices and machines. As a data communication system, Profinet uses many different physical layers (e.g. cable, connectors, transceivers) and data communication protocols (e.g. Profinet IO, Profinet CBA, Profinet RT).

The main difference between Profibus and Profinet is the physical layer and data communication protocols they use to provide data communication. While Profibus uses many different physical layers and data communication protocols, Profinet only provides data communication over Ethernet. Therefore, Profinet is a faster data communication system than Profibus and is generally preferred for applications requiring higher resolution data communication. Additionally, Profinet is a more flexible data communications system than Profibus and can monitor many different types of devices in real time.

I hope you read it without getting bored and learned something new. If you want to learn more about automation and be informed, don't forget to follow me and subscribe.


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What are PLC programming languages (Part-1)
What is PLC? What is its structure? What are its areas of use?
What is SCADA?
What is HMI Panel/Display?
What is EtherCAT?