ProfiNetProfibus

ProfiNetProfibus is not a formal technology by itself, but a term used to describe the interoperability and integration between PROFINET and PROFIBUS networks. It usually refers to solutions that bridge or translate between the two protocols, allowing devices and systems on PROFIBUS to participate in a PROFINET-based automation environment.

PROFINET is an Ethernet-based industrial communication standard designed for real-time control and I/O, while PROFIBUS is a legacy fieldbus family that includes PROFIBUS DP for I/O communication. Although PROFINET has largely supplanted PROFIBUS in new designs, many plants still operate PROFIBUS devices, making cross-network integration relevant for modernization or migration strategies.

Bridging between PROFINET and PROFIBUS is typically achieved with gateway devices or protocol converters. In a common arrangement, a gateway provides a PROFINET IO interface to the PROFINET controller and a PROFIBUS DP interface on the PROFIBUS side, performing translation or mapping of data between the two protocols. Gateways may implement translation or transparent bridging, with varying levels of data handling, timing, and diagnostics.

Use cases include integrating legacy PROFIBUS equipment into mixed PROFINET plants, enabling gradual migration to Ethernet-based control, and preserving investment while expanding network capabilities. Benefits include the ability to reuse existing devices, centralized monitoring, and streamlined engineering across mixed networks.

However, cross-network operation introduces considerations such as additional latency, potential determinism impacts, data mapping limitations, and vendor-specific configurations. The overall trend in new automation projects is to favor PROFINET, with ProfiNetProfibus serving as a practical approach for dealing with legacy assets.

Standards related to cross-network interoperability are covered in IEC 61784 (port profiles and mappings) and the broader IEC 61158 fieldbus family; ProfiNetProfibus is therefore a practical interoperability concept rather than a standalone standard.