Results of the project "Real-Time Ethernet for Sensor/Actor Networks" (a project of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research untertaken by the Institute Industrial IT at the Lippe University of Applied Sciene ) were the topic of the press workshop in Munich.

Project Description
Real-time Ethernet for sensor/actor networks
Sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ 1742X06)
Project leader: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Jasperneite, Institute Industrial IT
Project time frame: 1 Oct. 2006 to 3 March 2008

Abstract:

Thanks to the universal use of Ethernet in automation technology (AT), cost reduc-tions in the planning, commissioning and maintenance phases of networked automa-tion plants can be expected for machine and plant engineering in the future. Advo-cates of using Ethernet in AT are interested in participating in the further develop-ment of Ethernet. In order to be able to make use of Ethernet at the field level, the Ethernet standard has to be extended. At present, some real-time Ethernet concepts (RTE) based on Fast Ethernet are in the discussion and market launch phase. One promising approach is PROFINET. The initial aim of the project is the performance of a systematic analysis of the future potentials of today's real-time Ethernet systems, especially taking the gigabit technology into consideration. The main focus will pri-marily be on the actually achievable performance of typical applications in real cir-cumstances.

Furthermore, concepts to optimise PROFINET technology regarding performance and simplicity, especially for the field of sensor/actor networks, are to be developed and implemented in the form of prototypes.

Associated partners:

MAZET GmbH, Jena
Phoenix Contact GmbH, Blomberg
Siemens AG, Erlangen
Technical University Berlin