How Profibus Communication Works

How Profibus Communication
Works
by
Introduction to Profibus
If Modbus is the “granddaddy” of protocols, then Profibus is the

young athlete – lean and fast. Profibus was designed in the 1990s to
meet all industrial communication needs for both factory and process
automation (Figure 1). As with Modbus, there are a number of terms
associated with this protocol: Profibus DP, Profibus PA, Profisafe,
Profidrive, and Profinet. One way of visualizing how these terms fit
together is to think of Profibus as a book with many chapters. The
book would be called Profibus DP (Decentralized Peripheral). The
book’s chapters would be called Profibus PA (Process Automation),
Profisafe for safety application, and Profidrive for high-speed drive
applications. In addition, there would be a second book by the same
authors called Profinet, with many chapters, including Profisafe and
Profidrive.
Also Read: How Modbus Communication Works

Fig 1 :
Profibus network
How does Profibus work?
Profibus is also a master-slave type protocol like Modbus but with an

additional token ring protocol to allow for multiple masters. Also,
unlike Modbus, all devices go through a startup sequence during
which they “join” the network. Each slave maintains a failsafe timer. If
the master does not talk to it within a certain time limit, the slave goes
into a safe state; the master must then go through the startup
sequence again before further data exchange can occur. This, in
combination with a watchdog timer in the master, ensures that all
communication occurs every bus cycle with a certain time value.
The general bus scan would happen as shown in Figure 2. Master A

receives the token, which gives it control of the bus. It will then
exchange data with each of its slaves, and when complete, pass on the
token to the next master (if there is one). The requirement for
detailed diagnostics from each slave is also built into the protocol.
During normal data exchange, a slave can alert the master that it has
diagnostics, which the master will then read during the next bus scan.
Fig 2 :
Profibus scan
Profinet is built on the same principle as Profibus. But unlike Modbus –
which basically took the Modbus RTU packet and encapsulated it into
a TCP/IP packet – Profinet was designed to take advantage of Ethernet
and permit easy addition of higher-end Profibus functions like
Profisafe.
Physical layer
The main physical layer for Profibus DP is based on RS-485, which

Modbus uses. However, in the case of Profibus, the Profibus
specification does not simply refer to the existing RS-485 specification.
Instead, it extends the RS-485 specification. The physical layer was
tightened up to require only two wires, with speeds as fast as 12
megabits per second. The Profibus specification also standardized the
connectors to be used. All of this is beneficial when working with
multiple vendors – wiring is easy and consistent.
For instrumentation, Profibus PA also has another physical layer called
IEC 61158-2, Manchester Encoded, bus-powered, intrinsically safe
(MBP-IS). This physical layer provides power and communications on
the same two wires. The intrinsically safe concept has a big advantage
when it comes to installation costs. Working with hazardous
environments, there are two approaches: The power going to the
instrument in the hazardous area can be contained, or the power
going out into the hazardous area can be limited. The containment
method is the traditional one and the one that is required for Modbus.
It uses a metal conduit and seals to “contain” the energy. Both the
conduit and seals are expensive to buy and install. The second
approach is used by Profibus PA. It limits the power going to the field
and is considered intrinsically safe. With it, no conduits or seals are
needed (except maybe at the starting cabinet), resulting in significant
cost savings.
Profibus noise immunity
Both of Profibus’ main physical layers (modified RS-485 and MBP-IS)

are highly detailed and have excellent noise immunity, proven over
and over again at countless sites. Once Profibus is designed and
installed properly, it is next to bulletproof.
Standardized outputs and function block design
For instrumentation, there is a part of the Profibus standard called the

profile standard, which is a standardization of an instrument from the
point of view of the bus. It defines not only standard inputs and
outputs, but also functions and functionalities that are within the
instrument. This helps in both the setup and integration of field
instruments and allows for easy multi-vendor applications.
For example, the output from all Profibus PA transmitters is five bytes
long. The first four bytes are the IEEE floating point value of the
process variable. The fifth byte is the status byte that indicates
whether or not the process variable can be trusted. The major status
codes are all standardized in the specification. A value of x80, for
example, indicates that everything is okay. This applies to all
transmitters from all manufacturers [Figure 3]. This significantly lowers
the amount of engineering required for device integration. Whereas
with Modbus, every device’s data and diagnostics are completely
individualized and must be adapted, this is not the case with Profibus.
Fig 3 : Profibus PA
standardized output
Use with modems
Profibus DP and Profinet both have tight timing constraints. However,

a number of vendors have been able to make a variety of modems
(phone lines, wireless, cell) work well with both of them.
Typical applications
Profibus was designed to automate an entire plant, regardless of its

size or whether the plant is factory automation (composed of discrete
input/output) or process automation (made up of analog
input/output). It also does not matter if all the sections are local or
remote: Profibus can handle it all well.
Profibus Types
The Profibus family consists of three compatible versions: Profibus-DP,

Profibus-PA and Profibus-FMS.

Profibus-DP – Optimized for high speed and inexpensive
hookup. DP version is designed especially for communication
between automation control systems and distributed I/O at the
device level. Can be used to replace parallel signal
transmission with 24 V or 0 to 20 mA. This is the only card
that will be supported in this specification document.
 Profibus-PA – Designed especially for process automation. It
permits sensors and actuators to be connected on one
common bus line even in intrinsically safe areas. Permits data
communication and power over the bus using 2-wire
technology according to the international standard IEC 1158-
2. Will not be implemented in this spec because only I/O will
be controlled.
 Profibus-FMS – General-purpose solution for communication
tasks at the cell level. Powerful FMS services open up a wide
range of applications and provide great flexibility. Can also be
used for extensive and complex communication tasks. Will not
be implemented in this spec because CODE provides much of
the same function.
Advantages of Profibus PA
The introduction of PROFIBUS PA has closed the gap of digital data

communication between automation systems and field devices. The
improved functionality of PROFIBUS PA offers advantages through all
stages of a project:
During Installation Phase
Reduced wiring, and therefore, ease of engineering and installation

 Faster assembly and reduced faults

 Material saved for cabling
Instruments can be installed in locations close to the process for direct

measurement; information is accessible remotely, daily access is not
necessary
During Commissioning Phase
 More than 100 devices can be commissioned per day

 One person can complete commissioning; no need for a second
person in the field to find and “activate” an instrument for the

loop check
 Communication faults can be located from the control room
 No 4-20mA calibration is required since the digital device
measures the full range of process values

 Instrument settings can be downloaded from the control room;
no need to connect a handheld to each transmitter individually

During Maintenance Phase
 Diagnostic information for predictive maintenance; maintenance

is performed only when scheduled or required
 Determination of process or instrument faults
 Easy and fast troubleshooting from the control room
 No need to find the instrument in the plant
 Fewer trips to the field
 Self-test and corrective functions in the field device
 No periodic 4-20 mA calibration
 Plug and play by downloading replaced instrument settings to
the new instrument
Profibus Benefits

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How Profibus Communication

If Modbus is the “granddaddy” of protocols, then Profibus is the

Also Read: How Modbus Communication Works

Profibus is also a master-slave type protocol like Modbus but with an

The general bus scan would happen as shown in Figure 2. Master A

The main physical layer for Profibus DP is based on RS-485, which

Profibus noise immunity

Both of Profibus’ main physical layers (modified RS-485 and MBP-IS)

Standardized outputs and function block design

For instrumentation, there is a part of the Profibus standard called the

Profibus DP and Profinet both have tight timing constraints. However,

Profibus was designed to automate an entire plant, regardless of its

The Profibus family consists of three compatible versions: Profibus-DP,

The introduction of PROFIBUS PA has closed the gap of digital data

 Reduced wiring, and therefore, ease of engineering and installation

 Faster assembly and reduced faults 

Instruments can be installed in locations close to the process for direct

During Commissioning Phase

  More than 100 devices can be commissioned per day 

person in the field to find and “activate” an instrument for the

measures the full range of process values 

no need to connect a handheld to each transmitter individually

 Diagnostic information for predictive maintenance; maintenance

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Reduced wiring, and therefore, ease of engineering and installation

 Faster assembly and reduced faults

 More than 100 devices can be commissioned per day

measures the full range of process values