Chapter 1. Introduction
GFK-2892F
March 2019
11
Types of PROFINET Communications
Genius Communications Gateways use two types of PROFINET communication transfers: real-time and non-
real-time. The illustration below shows real-time communications as solid lines and non-real-time
communications as dashed lines.
1
2
3
4
PNS001
ACTIVE
USB
OK
LAN
STATUS
CONN
U
SB
IP ADDRESS
MAC ADDRESS
PORTS
TO INSTALL,
TORQUE TO
6 IN-LB.
IO DEVICE
FRONT
3 4
1 2
SD
C
A
R
D
!
RX3i with PROFINET Controller (PNC)
Real-Time Data
Inputs
Outputs
Alarms
Non Real-Time
Data
Parameters
Configuration Data
Figure 6: Real-Time & Non-Real-Time Data Types
Real-Time (RT) communication
: PROFINET real-time communication is used for time-sensitive data. A
PROFINET IO-Controller (PROFINET Controller) and PROFINET IO-Device use two types of real-time
communications to exchange data: cyclic communication and acyclic communication:
Real-
time Cyclic communication is used to periodically transfer the application’s input and output data. Cyclic
communication occurs each PROFINET IO production cycle.
Real-time Acyclic communication is used to transfer non-periodic data such as alarms. Acyclic communication
occurs only when needed.
Non-Real-Time (NRT) communication
: PROFINET non-real-time communication is used for less time-
sensitive data such as configuration, parameterization, diagnostics, and identification data.
Operations of the Genius Communications Gateway
The Genius Communications Gateway performs the following operations:
Consumes PROFINET IO-Device configuration from the PROFINET IO-Controller over the PROFINET network.
Scans input data from each Genius device it manages and produces that data to the PROFINET IO-Controller.
Consumes the output data that it receives from the PROFINET IO-Controller and applies it to each Genius
device it manages.
Where needed, translates Genius Datagrams (background traffic) into PROFINET packages that are sent to the
PROFINET Controller. This includes Datagrams that originated at the Genius Devices, such as Fault Reports.
Translates PROFINET packages that are sent by the PROFINET Controller into Genius Datagrams. This includes
Datagrams that originated at the PLC through use of COMMREQ or
Data_Init_Comm
instructions. For example,
a COMMREQ is used to generate a Clear Fault Report datagram.