Timer selection algorithm for real-time requirements of Profibus protocol using GA

Recently, the fieldbus becomes an indispensable component for many automated systems. In the fieldbus system, real-time data containing sensor values and control commands has a tendency to rapidly lose its value as time elapses after its creation. In order to deliver these data in time, the fieldbus network should be designed to have short delay compared to the maximum allowable delay. Because the communication delay is affected by performance parameters such as target rotation timer of token passing protocol, it is necessary to select proper parameter settings to satisfy the real-time requirement for communication delay. This paper presents the timer selection method for Profibus token passing networks using genetic algorithm (GA) to meet the delay requirements.