We all know Ethernet based OT networks are the standard these days, but there is a huge installed base of serial based PROFIBUS.  You may have some of this in your plant and are currently trying to weigh the pros and cons of upgrading that network.

Recently an Applied Controls customer went through this process and decide to keep their PROFIBUS network while upgrading from Siemens MICROMASTER VFDs to the latest generation of the SINAMICS G120.  

Due to the size of the machine vs the number of VFDs, the customer decided to keep the existing PROFIBUS network while replacing the obsolete components.  Since SINAMICS drives fully support PROFIBUS, this was an easy decision.  In this case, only the hardware definitions needed to be changed by importing the latest GSD files for the SINAMICS drives and swapping them for the MICROMASTER GSD files.  Depending on the logic in your machine it is possible that software code may need to be changed.  The engineers at Applied Controls and Siemens can help identify this so you can make the right decisions for your upgrade.

Siemens is committed to supporting PROFIBUS network infrastructure into the future and maintaining those networks has never been easier with tools like the Softing PROFIBUS Tester 5.  With support from Applied Controls and Siemens, your machines can be brought into the modern era without being entirely re-engineered.