Kontrollnetz

Kontrollnetz is a term used to describe a network of devices and links designed to monitor and control a process or system. It forms the communication backbone of industrial automation and other applications, connecting sensors, actuators, controllers, and human-machine interfaces to collect data, execute commands, and ensure stable operation.

Typical architecture includes field devices at the plant floor, control devices such as PLCs or RTUs at the control layer, and a supervisory or enterprise layer that provides visualization and analytics. The communication network may be a fieldbus, industrial Ethernet, or a combination, often with real-time requirements and redundancy to improve reliability.

Functions of a Kontrollnetz include data collection, process regulation, fault detection, and safety interlocks. A well-designed Kontrollnetz supports centralized or distributed control, time-synchronized operations, and scalable growth as the system expands. It aims to provide reliability, determinism, and secure operation in dynamic environments.

Common domains of use are industrial automation and process control, power and energy management, building automation, transportation systems, and laboratory instrumentation. Key considerations are latency and determinism, reliability and fault tolerance, cybersecurity, and interoperability between equipment from different vendors. Standards and protocols such as Modbus, PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, and OPC UA are frequently employed in Kontrollnetze.

See also: control system, SCADA, PLC, RTU, industrial Ethernet, fieldbus, OPC UA.