CC-Link Partner Association

GlobalActivity
ReportVol.7

Towards CC-Link IE and PROFINET Interconnection
Development of common specifications will allow communication
between different industrial networks

Special Report

Towards CC-Link IE and PROFINET Interconnection

Powerful Cooperation for the Era of IIoT and Industry 4.0

Towards CC-Link IE and PROFINET Interconnection
Development of common specifications will allow
communication between different industrial networks
The CC -Link Association ( CLPA ) announced the formation of a cooper ative relationship with PROFIBUS &PROFINET International (PI) in November 2015, aiming to strengthen the interconnectivity of the industrial open
networks developed by the two organizations. Technical specifications on the mechanism to connect "CC-Link IE"
promoted by CLPA and PI's "PROFINET" will be jointly developed to make it possible for equipment and devices
on both networks to communicate with each other at production sites. A major advantage for users will be the freechoice of devices and equipment to suit the user’s needs without restrictions due to incompatible networks.

Joint Press Conference of CLPA and PI in Tokyo

Press conferences were given in both

specifications for a gateway that connectsman Fumihiko Kimura (professor emeritus

Japan and Germany. Executives of both

both are defined, limitations due to theat the University of Tokyo) spoke to the

CLPA and PI took part to explain this co-difference in standards will be removed,

effect that “Asia’s CLPA and Europe’s PIoperation. The major impact of coopera-

allowing a dramatic increase in users’ free-

will join hands to contribute to the world’s

tion between these two organizations, until

dom to select devices.

manufacturing

now considered rivals, drew press officials

At the press conference, CLPA Chair-to participate in the press conferences inboth Japan and Germany.
The main focus of the conferences
was that CLPA and PI will jointly develop
common communication specifications forconnecting CC-Link IE and PROFINET. As
CC-Link IE and PROFINET have different
standards, it is currently impossible to directly connect PROFINET compatible devices to a CC-Link IE network, or to connect CC-Link IE compatible devices to aPROFINET network. However, if common

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Many press officials also
participated in the press
conference in Germanyindustry,”emphasizingthat the effect of this cooperation will beCLPA Global Activity Report 2015

global. Also, PI Chairman Karsten Schneider said that “equipment vendors will nolonger need to develop two versions ofeach device for CC-Link IE and PROFINET
compatibility,” maintaining that there will
be significant benefits for vendors as wellas users.
"Times have changed"
While CLPA and PI have developed different standards for many years, a major
reason for them to aim for the interconnection of both networks is to allow “solutions
in line with the user’s actual conditions”.
CC-Link IE, which is the only industrial
Ethernet that has offers 1 Gbps broadband, is not only widely used across Japan and Asia, but also in the United Statesand Europe where PROFINET was developed, increasing its range at global level.

"Coupler" and "Link" are envisioned as interconnection options for CC-Link IE and PROFINET

Although its superiority has been highly valued by the industry, in reality, there

ing devices with different standards while

To develop the specifications for in-are various industrial Ethernet standards

maintaining the operation of conventional

terconnection, a joint working group hasother than CC-Link IE. As these cannotproduction facilities. That is the purpose

been formed by the member companies

communicate with each other, the userof building this cooperative relationshipof CLPA and PI, and specific work has be-

must be aware of the differences in spec-

between CLPA and PI and developing

gun. Specifications are scheduled to be

ifications whenever selecting devices andnetwork interconnection.”

fixed by the end of 2016, after which themachinery. In cases such as expansion ofspecification documents will be released

an existing facility, the user is always con-Compatible Products Will Be Available

to members of both CLPA and PI. It is ex-

strained by the standards.

as Early as 2017

pected that compatible products will be

So far, CLPA and PI have promoted

Two forms of interconnection areeach network to expand compatible de-envisioned. These are the “Coupler”,

The world of interconnection is not nec-

vices and users. However, for advanced

enabling a sub-system with different

essarily closed to CC-Link IE and PROF-

users with a real desire for the develop-

standards to be integrated into the ex-

INET. The participation of other industrial

ment of manufacturing, it would be un-isting network system, and the “Link”,

open network organizations has also been

welcome for the framework of standards

allowing a device compatible with one

welcomed, with the potential to develop

to become an impediment. “In the world

network to be directly connected into

into a great wave not limited to the twoof industrial IoT or “IIoT” and Industry 4.0,

another network. In either connection

networks.

only working to spread individual stan-configuration, data exchange by cyclic

Although the features of CC-Link IE aredards will not provide benefits to users.

communication is possible between dif-

widely known not only to the users of CC-

It is necessary for us to steer in a more

ferent networks. It is planned that data

Link IE but to vendors and users adopting

open direction. We believe that times

collection from equipment and devices

other network standards, it is not uncom-

have changed” ,said Global Director Nao-

will also be possible in both directions

mon for them to hesitate before adopting

mi Nakamura of CLPA.

through the “SLMP” (Seamless Message

CC-Link IE due to the problems of regions

available sometime in 2017.

She continued, “Based on actual userProtocol) and “Acyclic” protocols usedand connectivity . The support for CC-Link

situations, we will encourage users whoby CC-Link IE to connect various com-

IE will further increase by eliminating thisaim for higher added value by combin-patible devices.

difficulty with interconnection.

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PROFIBUS & PROFINET InternationalInterview"Increased bandwidth through connection withCC-Link IE, to keep up with expanding data volumes"– What brought about the collaboration between PI and the CLPA?
Schneider Given the development of theindustrial IoT and Industry 4.0, we've been
discussing for a year or so how industrial
networks can best contribute. The conclusion we reached was to aim for enhanced
mutual connectivity of CC-Link IE andKarsten Schneider
PI Chairman

PROFINET.
CC-Link IE and PROFINET have emerged
and developed in very different environments, aimed at different markets; this is
why we feel they will complement each other. We consider a major feature of CC-Link
IE to be its 1 Gbps bandwidth. While PROFINET also allows 1 Gbps as an option, fromhere on, when the entire manufacturing industry--not only production sites but also theer way round, they need to develop newSchneider To be honest, 2016 is a pret-management sector--is connected throughcommunication interfaces for each net-ty tight deadline, but we hope to make it

networks, data volume will increase andwork. Although there's almost no differ-happen in collaboration with the CLPA.

bandwidth will become even more essential.

ence in control device function, the dif-

The Working Group includes vendors whoElsewhere, one of PROFINET's strengths

fering network standards require separate

develop compatible products for CC-Link

individual development.

IE and PROFINET, so once the specifica-

is its support for the process industries aswell as FA. Through mutual connection, we

If we can bring about mutual connec-

tions are solid, market entry should takewill be able to offer new options to users intion, a single device will be usable as ana relatively short time. An intimate work-

the process industries as well.

interface for both networks. This will throw

ing relationship between PI and the CLPA

the market wide open for both partnersshould be able to serve as a nucleus ofand vendors, enabling business growth.

future connections among other industrial– What are the advantages for part-networks.

ners and vendors?
Schneider Currently, if vendors offering– How are you approaching the prepa-

CC-Link IE compatible products want toration and release of common specifi-

add PROFINET compatibility, or the oth-cations during 2016?

CC-Link
Partner Association
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