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PROFIgate Technical Details
The PROFIgate server is a HW/SW product responsible
for the gateway function linking a PROFIBUS network
to Ethernet. The main components are the PROFIBUS
connector, the CPU board with the gateway software and
the Ethernet TCP/IP interface. The server is designed
for installation in a control cabinet. It supports PROFIBUS
DP and FMS and acts either as PROFIBUS master class
1, class 2 or as a slave. Unlike other PC-based
gateways solutions, PROFIgate is characterized by fully
integrated hardware-software package incorporating a
user friendly interface which helps to avoid problems
one experiences when building a system from a variety
of third party elements.
The PROFIgate client is a software installed in the
PC of the application program. It is a special driver
software for commercial Ethernet cards integrated in
the standard driver of Windows NT for PROFIBUS interfaces.
In this way, the same user interface which can be used
for locally operated interfaces is also available for
PROFIgate access. Thus, the user can choose between
conventional local PC connections to the PROFIBUS network
and remote connections via Ethernet TCP/IP - without
having to change the application.
Without any obligations on your part, you can order
the IEE special edition on PROFIgate (issue 12-98 "Successful
Combination")...
Remote management and Control
Automated un-maned facilities often need to be regularly
monitored by a central office staff. In addition to
the local visualization, the use of remote monitoring
systems is often required. In this manner, disturbances
can be discovered at an early stage or prevented in
advance. The Ethernet link provides a easy method to
link to a variety of commercial communication techniques.
Remote Diagnosis
Time-consuming and expensive service work on site can
be reduced to a minimum. For instance, critical
machine parameters can be monitored over a certain time
after re-installation. In case of disturbances, service
technicians can carry through a first analysis for precise
preparation of the work.
Remote Access to Operational
Data of the Process
Not only the access to technical data is important but
also information on machine runtimes, capacity utilization,
machine down-times and consumption of resources. Every
information in the PROFIBUS network can be made accessible.
The only limitations pertain to the general functioning
method of the PROFIBUS protocol and, consequently, to
the differentiation between master and slaves.
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