PROFINET (Process Field Network) is an industrial communication protocol based on Ethernet, developed by PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI). It allows deterministic and real-time data exchange between controllers (PLCs) and industrial devices such as sensors, actuators, inverters, HMIs, and test systems.
It is widely used in process automation and discrete manufacturing, being an evolution of the PROFIBUS standard for Ethernet environments.
🔧 PROFINET Features
- 🌐 Based on standard Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), with support for TCP/IP
- 🔁 Cyclic and acyclic communication with packet prioritization
- ⏱️ Support for real-time (RT) and isochronous real-time (IRT) for critical applications
- 🔄 Compatible with flexible topologies: line, star, ring with MRP redundancy
- 📡 Automatic device and network diagnostics
- 🧱 Device classification: IO-Controllers (PLC), IO-Devices (sensors/actuators), IO-Supervisors (engineering systems)
📐 PROFINET Performance Classes
| Class | Application Type | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| PROFINET NRT | Non-deterministic (with TCP/IP) | For supervision, diagnostics, and upload |
| PROFINET RT | Real-time | Motion control, I/O, synchronization |
| PROFINET IRT | Isochronous real-time | Applications with precision <1 ms, robotics |
🧩 Typical Applications
- Integration of PLCs with intelligent I/O devices
- Real-time control of motors, robots, production lines
- Communication between test systems and industrial controllers
- Monitoring of high-performance automatic lines
- Integration with SCADA, MES and remote maintenance software
🔧 How AJOLLY Testing Supports Your Project with PROFINET
AJOLLY Testing develops test systems with integrated PROFINET communication, offering solutions for development, validation, and production with real-time and traceability requirements.
🛠️ Integration and Control
- Communication between test systems and PLCs (e.g., Siemens S7, Beckhoff, Wago)
- Data exchange via PROFINET using industrial libraries and drivers
- Creation of HMI and control software with real-time variable reading/writing
- Support for reading digital and analog inputs/outputs, registers, diagnostics
🧪 Functional Testing and Validation
- Simulation of IO devices or PROFINET controllers
- Validation of data exchange with response times <1ms (IRT)
- Network robustness tests: packet loss, reconnection, jitter
- Network log recording with timestamps and detected failures
📊 Reports and Traceability
- Automatic report generation with status, variables read/written, cycle time
- Integration with MES systems, SQL databases, dashboards, and CSV/PDF export
- Tracking of serial number, operator, test station
With AJOLLY Testing, your system with PROFINET is tested in an automated, reliable, and traceable manner — from prototype to production line.