New group to integrate Interbus with PROFInet

Profibus International has formed a joint cooperative working group to facilitate the integration of Interbus fieldbus technology with PROFInet, the new Ethernet-based Profibus automation solution

Profibus International has formed a joint cooperative working group to facilitate the integration of Interbus fieldbus technology with PROFInet, the new Ethernet-based Profibus automation solution designed to provide a scalable, high-performance migration path for users of Profibus as well as other fieldbus standards.

The working group consists of specialists from Profibus International and the Interbus Club, and is chaired by Dr Jurgen Jasparneite of Phoenix Contact.

The working group is preparing a specification that will adapt the PROFInet 'proxy' concept to allow the integration of Interbus systems into PROFInet architectures, and will also include the required engineering.

A draft specification of the proxy is expected to be completed by September 2004.

The proxy solution will allow Interbus users to benefit from the next-generation Ethernet-based automation strategies offered by PROFInet while providing a secure migration path designed to protect the Interbus technology investment.

With 10 million and 6.5 million nodes, Profibus and Interbus respectively have the largest installed base of all fieldbus solutions, which is leading market experts to conclude that PROFInet will quickly become the industry leading solution for Ethernet-based automation systems in the future.

The Profibus Trade Organization (PTO) is a non-profit corporation working to enhance the Profibus and PROFInet standards while educating and assisting device manufacturers throughout on the latest extensions and conformance tests associated with Profibus and PROFInet.

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