Dear all,
I have some questions to ask regarding the cRIO-PN-S (PROFINET) module, and I hope an NI engineer could also help me out on this (I tried to open a new service request earlier, but there was some error with the submission system).
My client has a manufacturing line and we are intending of using CompactRIO to extract data from the PLCs that are controlling the various subsystems of the line. The PLCs (and other components like HMIs, switches) are arranged in a PROFINET ring topology that uses MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol).
We are considering the use of a cRIO-PN-S (CompactRIO PROFINET I/O slave module) on the CompactRIO. In this scenario, the cRIO-PN-S will be configured as a PROFINET slave within the ring topology, and extract data from all the PLCs within the ring. Regarding this, we have some questions regarding the module:
- Can the cRIO-PN-S in compliance with IEC 62439 for MRP?
- If so, can the cRIO-PN-S be configured as a MRP client? (The MRP architecture has 1 manager and multiple clients).
- In section 4 of the installation manual, it is mentioned "16 PROFINET IO Slots supported". What does this mean? (the module can support simultaneous communication with 16 PROFINET devices or ...? )
- As in (3), in section 4 it is also mentioned "Max. 254 bytes input and 254 bytes output data". If we would like to acquire a large number of data (bigger than 254 bytes) from multiple PLCs continuously, would it be possible? If so, how would the implementation be like? (e.g. open multiple connections simultaneously?)
The other alternative would be to channel all the required data to the PROFINET controller, and extract the data from there using another protocol like OPC UA or Modbus. But we are still in the midst of evaluating the different scenarios.
Thanks everyone in advance.
Best regards,
Victor
