Introduction to Profibus DP Protocol
Unlike what many people believe, Profibus is not one communication system, but a variety of protocols built on the same field-bus technology bundle, hence Profibus DP protocol and Profibus PA protocol. Users are able to combine different Profibus protocols (for example Profibus DP protocol) with their own software and other requirements, which subsequently results in a unique application profile. Profibus can thus suit specific needs due to the many profiles available, of which Profibus DP protocol is one. However, one thing which remains the same though is the testing of the Profibus devices, including those devices related to Profibus DP protocol, and as such ensuring that they meet a high standard of quality befitting a high quality network.
What does the Profibus DP Protocol entail?
Profibus DP protocol is a fieldbus designed for use at low level of factory automation systems, where it performs high speed data exchange between process controllers and field devices, such as sensors and actuators, in a master-slave configuration. Profibus DP protocol is generally more universal than the other Profibus protocols. The Profibus DP protocol is also much simpler and faster than the other Profibus protocols. It is interesting to learn that Profibus DP protocol is used in the majority of Profibus application profiles in use today. Application profiles allow users to combine their requirements for a specific solution. Profibus DP protocol has three separate versions of its own, known as DP-V0 to DP-V1 and DP-V2. Each Profibus DP protocol version provides newer, more complicated features.
Why is the Profibus DP Protocol so popular?
The various features of the Profibus DP protocol are responsible for its popularity. Some of the features of the Profibus DP protocol allow it to be particularly suitable for cyclic operations. However, Profibus DP protocol also foresees the possibility of performing acyclic activities between masters and slaves. A second (undesired) type of acyclic traffic is that generated by the access to services of the Profibus data link layer protocol (Fieldbus Data Link, FDL) by users different from the Profibus DP protocol. The acyclic traffic can heavily influence the network performances as it introduces a jitter on the cycle time which affects the cyclic operations.