3. Communication problems

3.1 Fieldbus

The late 1980s saw the development of a substantial range of communication networks for use in automated systems, designed to replace analog wire-to-wire links between sensors/actuators and processing units (PLC (programmable logic controller), DCS (digital control system – command)...). These include field networks, equipment networks and sensor/actuator networks [8][9] .

Field or cell networks such as WorldFip and Profibus-FMS have sophisticated protocols and enable different types of exchange (producer/consumer (WorldFip) or client/server (Profibus)), which can be cyclical (periodic) or acyclical (aperiodic). Messaging services can...