DP/PA Coupler creates high-availability ring topologies.January 2, 2007 -
Supporting redundant installation, DP/PA coupler and active field distributor (AFD) can supply plant operator with scalable, redundant solution from automation system to PA field unit. DP/PA coupler has integrated diagnostics slave function, and AFDs have integrated automatic bus terminators, which insulate defective segments without bumps in event of short-circuit or wire break. Diagnostics and status is signaled via LEDs or reported to overall control system via Profibus.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
3333 Old Milton Pkwy.
Alpharetta, GA, 30005
USA
Siemens Adds Redundancy to Profibus PA, Creating High-Availability Ring Topologies
Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) has developed a DP/PA coupler that supports redundant installation, and an active field distributor (AFD) for creating high-availability ring topologies. As a result, the plant operator can now be supplied with a scalable, redundant solution from the automation system to the PA field unit. With redundant Profibus PA fieldbus communication, users can increase the availability of their production plants and avoid unplanned downtimes.
The new Profibus PA component can be used to create highly available ring topologies. When it is combined with Profisafe field units, high-availability and safety-oriented applications can be implemented which are considerably less expensive than those with conventional architectures. The new DP/PA coupler with an integrated diagnostics slave function and the new AFDs have integrated automatic bus terminators. The latter insulate defective segments automatically and without bumps in the event of a short-circuit or wire break. In addition, the instrumentation can be altered or ring segments added or removed without interrupting operation. Installation is also easier and safer, because incorrect termination is completely ruled out. Moreover, comprehensive diagnostic functions are provided with which any faults that occur can be quickly located and rectified.
The complete redundancy management system is integrated in the DP/PA coupler. Diagnostic and status information is signaled by means of LEDs or reported to the overall control system via Profibus. If the DP/PA couplers are used as Profibus diagnostic slaves, they use the Profibus to supply comprehensive diagnostic and status information such as the current or voltage on the main line, the redundancy status, a wire break or a short-circuit. With the help of EDD (Electronic Device Description) technology, the DP/PA coupler is integrated in the Simatic PDM (Process Device Manager) engineering tool and in the asset management feature of the Simatic PCS 7 process control system.
David Humphrey, ARC Advisory Group, commented, "Since the launch of its PCS7 system for distributed control, Siemens has rapidly grown its market share in the process industries, especially in hybrid industries such as Food & Beverage and Pharmaceutical. To tackle the heavy processing industries, however, the company has had to fill in gaps in its solution portfolio to meet more demanding requirements of Oil & Gas producers and refiners. Adding redundancy to Profibus PA rounds out Siemens' offering of failsafe and highly available process control solutions."
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