PROFIsafe
PROFIsafe is the profile to transfer safety related data via PROFIBUS and PROFINET. PROFIsafe is specified in the IEC 61784-3 standard. In order to support both manufacturers and users of this technology, the PROFIBUS International User Organization (PI) appoints official PI Competence Centers. The Competence Center at ifak is accredited for PROFIBUS, PROFINET and PROFIsafe. Continuous expertise in the field of functional safe communication is maintained by active participation in technical committees such as the DKE and PI.
Certification test
ifak is an official PROFIBUS International Testlab for PROFIsafe devices. The test reports provided by the ifak testlab are components of the certification procedures at PNO, TÜV and BGIA.
Development support
The ifak Competence Center provides development support for PROFIsafe devices. The services offered include:
- Training and expert consultation
- Integration of PROFIsafe stacks into devices
- Integration of communication stacks (e.g. PROFIBUS DP or PROFINET IO)
Certification support according to IEC 61508 at the notified bodies (TÜV, BGIA)
Solutions
Based on specifications in UML, modular PROFIsafe software has been developed at ifak:
- Generation of protocol stacks for F-Hosts and modular F-Devices
- Porting onto embedded target systems
- Animation of state machines using the software tool Rhapsody in UML
- Development of the official F-Host-Test Tools for the certification test of Profibus International
Development methodology
A focus of the methodological approaches in the software development processes for safety critical systems according to IEC 61508 is on the use of UML. The following procedures have been examined for the PROFIsafe specifications V1.3 and V2.4:
- Modelling of F-Host and F-Device state machines in UML state machines
- Validation of available specifications (PC Simulation)
- Generation of C code out of UML models (F-Host / F-Device auf PC / Embedded Target)
- Integration into embedded devices (controller, field devices)
- Automatic test case generation based on UML models
- Framework for test case execution (F-Host Test)
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Research activities
The following research projects relating to PROFIsafe technology are currently being dealt with:
Evaluation platform
The PROFIsafe Competence Center at ifak maintains the PROFIsafe demonstrator of PI. The demonstrator has been used for PROFIsafe training and workshops as well as for research projects. The integration into lectures and hands-on practice in co-operation with local universities is also planned. ifak is responsible for keeping the PROFIsafe application up to date and making it available to the PI community for integration tests and measurements.
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