Safety Profiles for Real-Time Ethernet-Based Industrial Automation Networks

Part of the ISA/O3neida series, this book discusses network systems in industrial automation and their features related to real-time and functional safety requirements. The basics of standard Ethernet are introduced, specifying the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model layers and identifying Ethernet's drawbacks. Clarification on the requirements and the solutions adopted by the presented communication protocols is also addressed. Real-time capability is defined with regard to communication within safety-related systems, underlying the strict correlation between time performances and external requirements. Finally, the specifications of the safety profiles of five communication protocols (namely PROFIsafe, Ethernet Powerlink Safety, SERCOS III Safety, EtherCAT Safety, and Ethernet/IP Safety) are investigated.