PROFIdrive
PROFIdrive is the modular, manufacturer-independent device profile for drive devices from Profibus & Profinet International (PI). PROFIdrive was developed jointly by manufacturers and users in automation technology in the 1990s and, in conjunction with the Profibus fieldbus and the industrial Ethernet Profinet, covers the entire range from the simplest to the most sophisticated drive solutions.
Concept and history
As a device profile, PROFIdrive agrees and specifies device and application-specific properties for drives. These functions limit the options of the available services of the PROFIBUS or PROFINET and at the same time supplement the application with specifications for the data exchange. The similar implementation of these properties of this profile in devices from different manufacturers means that drive devices, regardless of manufacturer, behave in the same way on a bus system.
In line with user requirements, PROFIdrive was continuously developed in a working group of Profibus & Profinet International with the participation of numerous device manufacturers:
- 1991 Start of profile work as a VDE - GMA project
- 1997 Version 2.0 as drive technology profile for operation on Profibus DP
- 2002 Version 3.1 with extended communication technology (PROFIBUS DP-V2)
- 2005 Operation also possible with Industrial Ethernet (Profinet)
- 2005 Safety Amendment to PROFIdrive (combination with PROFIsafe)
- 2007 Standardization in IEC 61800-7
- 2009 Energy management through joint operation with PROFIenergy
- 2011 Community project for free use of the PROFIdrive source code
technology
The structure of PROFIdrive allows a manufacturer to build a drive that can be operated with the same functionality on Profibus ( fieldbus technology ) and Profinet (Industrial Ethernet).
Application classes
In view of its wide range of possible applications, six application classes (AK) graded according to functional content have been defined for PROFIdrive. A drive device can cover one or more classes:
- AK 1 for standard drives with speed control for e.g. B. Frequency converters for pumps
- AK 2 like AK 1, but with additional technology function for e.g. B. Pressure control.
- AK 3 for drive and position control and also a position control
- AK 4/5 for servo drives with central motion control in several axes for e.g. B. machine tools or robotics
- AK 6 for servo drives for decentralized automation, e.g. B. with electronic shafts or clocked machines with synchronized master and slave drives
PROFIdrive with fieldbus technology (PROFIBUS)
Drive technology is traditionally understood as a frequency converter or servo amplifier that controls a motor according to a speed setpoint. The motor, converter, encoder and controller are parts of the drive itself, while the controller only handles setpoint specifications and actual value monitoring via fieldbus communication. With the introduction of PROFIdrive as the drive interface, it was possible for the first time to read these drive signals as decentralized peripherals into the control system or to output them from there.
The properties of a frequency converter can be set and influenced with the help of parameters. Consequently, the PROFIdrive profile has been supplemented with specifications for access to these parameters via the fieldbus with the aid of acyclic communication.
Mechanical shafts and cams are increasingly being replaced by electrical drive functions. In order to be able to meet the requirements of these multi-axis drive systems with PROFIBUS, the data transfer rate was increased to 12 Mbit / s and clock synchronization and cross-communication between the drives was introduced. This means that PROFIdrive on PROFIBUS can implement all applications from standard drives to machine tools with a single system.
Additional functions such as safety technology are traditionally carried out via separate control systems. With the integration of the PROFIsafe safety technology into the PROFIdrive profile for drive technology, new fields of application in mechanical engineering are opened up.
PROFIdrive and Industrial Ethernet (PROFINET)
Ethernet in its form is Industrial Ethernet such as B. Profinet has become a universally accepted standard for networking control systems and for integrating control technology in higher corporate levels. In cooperation with Profinet, PROFIdrive became an ethernet-based technology for comprehensive drive solutions:
- Scalable cycle times of less than 100 µs with a jitter <1 µs for the most demanding applications with full openness of the TCP / IP communication.
- Flexible system topology with line, ring and star structures with a virtually unlimited number of participants
- Powerful device and network diagnostics for high machine availability
- Consistent and uniform automation network in machines and systems
- Support of TCP / IP and thus unhindered use of web technologies.
From around 2012 drive technology will have to supplement its classic drive functions with new applications such as safety technology and energy management (e.g. PROFIenergy profile) at the request of the market. Drives thus become a platform for drive-related automation functions. With this, PROFIdrive has changed from a formerly simple fieldbus interface on the drive to a multifunctional communication hub between the automation functions distributed between the drive and the controller.
Realization of the PROFIdrive interface
The interface implementation method for PROFIdrive depends, among other things, on the design and scope of the device and the expected quantities. The alternatives are
- Development in-house or at a service provider
- Use of finished building blocks or individual design
- Execution in fixed design ASIC ( ERTEC 200, ERTEC 400 , TPS-1 ) or reconfigurable in FPGA technology
For device manufacturers, the community project Reference Implementation PROFIdrive Profile offers an efficient solution for implementing the PROFIdrive profile. The community supports manufacturers of drive devices by providing the source code of a standard implementation free of charge and through the possibility of joint further development to a quasi-standard implementation. The community also offers manufacturers support in integrating the source code through to certification.
organization
PROFIdrive is standardized in IEC 61800-7 (Generic interface and use of profiles for power drive systems) and is supported by Profibus & Profinet International, which guarantees international support.
literature
- System description PROFIdrive . PROFIBUS User Organization eV, Karlsruhe February 2011.
- Drive technology with PROFINET . PROFIBUS User Organization eV, Karlsruhe November 2012 ( profibus.com - White paper).
- IEC 61800-7: Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems . IEC, Geneva.