New Simulation Models to Evaluate Performance of PROFINET IO Class 1 Systems

This paper deals with a simplified method to estimate timing performance of real-time automation systems based on PROFINET IO fieldbus. Simulations can be an affordable solution to evaluate performance of real-time networks before their physical implementation. In this work, two complete models, one for generic PROFINET IO-controllers and one for generic IO-devices, are presented and their configuration, parameters and attributes are discussed. Application of the proposed models to extraction of meaningful performance indicators, like worst event reaction time, is also described. Last, results of some simulation campaigns are reported; simulated event reaction time and jitter for a test system are in accordance with experimental measurements on the corresponding real system (relative error < 3%).