iba connectivity grows by connection to PROFINET network

With ibaBM-PN, iba AG has again broadened its extensive connectivity to automation systems and bus systems of many automation suppliers. The newly developed PROFINET bus monitor ibaBM-PN supports the PROFINET IO communication standard. This way, iba extends its range of field bus and drive bus monitors, which serve as interfaces for data acquisition in ibaPDA (the process data acquisition system of iba). By this, data from automation systems and peripheral components can be acquired via PROFINET.

ibaBM-PN communicates as PROFINET device with one or more PROFINET controllers as high-level controller. The advantage of ibaBM-PN: it has two internal IO devices to acquire more data. Each device can acquire a maximum of 1.440 bytes. For acquiring more data further bus monitors would be needed. But in ibaBM-PN two PROFINET device chips are integrated in order to increase the customer benefit. Moreover, one device can exchange data with two controllers as so-called “Shared device”. Thus, ibaBM-PN can communicate with a total of four controllers. Furthermore, ibaBM-PN can be operated on two independent PROFINET lines.

Support of PROFINET protocols

As certified PROFINET device, ibaBM-PN fully complies with the PROFINET specification, e.g. regarding the methods of communication: ibaBM-PN supports the Real Time (RT) communication as well as the Isochronous Real Time (IRT) communication. In contrast to the RT communication, the IRT communication is clock synchronous and much more precise. For this type of communication, cycle times of down to 250 µs are possible.

Furthermore, in ibaBM-PN another PROFINET specification is implemented, namely the support of the Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP). This redundancy protocol forces the use of ring topologies in order to enable a redundant communication and to compensate failures.

For fulfilling the increasing demands on robustness and reliability even in extreme load situations, ibaBM-PN fulfills the demands of the highest category NetLOAD Class III.

iba Request mechanism: Acquiring additional data the convenient way

The request mechanism for SIMATIC S7 controllers by Siemens is an iba-specific feature, which can also be realized with ibaBM-PN. By this mechanism, signals can be randomly accessed and, if needed, additional signals can be added conveniently without programming the S7 controller. This avoids interactions with the controller which have the risk for lager plants for system failures or shut-downs. The request mechanism allows acquiring additional signals. All signals can be randomly accessed by their symbolic names. This is an advantage for people without programming experience, since they can easily add additional signals. The request mechanism needs an additional license as add-on to ibaPDA.

Sniffer functionality in the next expansion stage

One functionality that will be realized in the next expansion stage of the ibaBM-PN is the sniffer functionality. As a sniffer, the device monitors the entire data exchange on the PROFINET network. For this purpose, the ibaBM-PN can be coupled in at any position in the PROFINET network free of reaction using the TAP interface (Ethernet). In the first version, initially, the function of active data acquisition has been realized. A firmware upgrade will be available at the beginning of 2017 free of charge.

iba AG based in Fuerth (Northern Bavaria), is considered globally to be a leading specialist for high-quality, PC-based systems for data acquisition and analysis, signal processing and automation. iba products are used in steel and metal industries, pulp and paper industries, in the field of transportation systems, for test benches as well as for power supply and wind turbines. The main feature of iba products is their distinct connectivity to other systems and bus technologies. An iba data acquisition system can be connected to almost every common automation system.

Dr. Ulrich Lettau - CEO
iba AG
Koenigswarterstr. 44
90762 Fuerth
Tel.: +49 (911) 972 82-0
Fax: +49 (911) 97282-33
ulrich.lettau@iba-ag.com

This release was published on openPR.