After two years of continuing development, Procentec have released COMbricks™ an innovative new concept in networking, monitoring and control that, in our opinion, will revolutionise the way we design, install and maintain PROFIBUS and PROFINET systems.

The latest version provides streaming of the ProfiTrace data over Ethernet and a built-in oscilloscope for remote waveform visualisation.

So what is COMbricks™?
A modular repeater and gateway system with built-in ProfiTrace functionality accessible over Ethernet providing optimised and integrated networking, monitoring and control.

Now some of these statements perhaps need a little explaining:

• “Modular” – COMbricks™ provides a number of modules that can solve a wide range of problems that are commonly experienced by automation engineers. The modules fit into a back plane so that you can mix and match the modules that you require for your exact application.
• “Networking – Using various modules we can easily build optimised networking components such as repeaters, hubs, optical links, DP-DP couplers, PROFINET to PROFIBUS gateways, redundant systems and more.
• “Monitoring” – COMbricks™ incorporates an intelligent Head Station that manages the various modules that are plugged in. However, much more than this, the Head Station incorporates a built-in ProfiTrace unit that can monitor up to four networks that are connected to the unit. Further, the ProfiTrace screens are accessible via an integrated web server over Ethernet. This means that you can do a remote health check on your networks without needing a separate ProfiTrace unit or software
• “Control” – COMbricks™ also can provide remote IO capability. PROFIBUS slaves and/or PROFINET IO modules can be incorporated into the system to give low-cost digital and analogue inputs and outputs.

New repeater with built in oscilloscope function
Now available – a new single channel repeater module with built in high speed oscilloscope functionality. The repeater channel and the integrated oscilloscope are directly connected with the ProfiTrace OE built into the Head Station. Several scope repeater cards can be used in one COMbricks unit. All scope images and bus monitor data are directly available via the web server.

Want to have a try?
Follow this link for a live and interactive try on a working COMbricks unit which is monitoring two PROFIBUS networks. Click the link and then select “Oscilloscope images” and try different slots. Can you spot the segmant with the reflection? (Have a look at the bargraph displays also): Click here

YouTube video presentation

What modules are available?

• Head Station – Essential module that communicates with all the modules plugged in and incorporates ProfiTrace which can monitor up to four PROFIBUS networks that are connected to the modules used. an Ethernet interface is also provided giving simple access for ProfiTrace monitoring, ComDTM and OPC server funttionality.
• One or Two channel PROFIBUS Repeater Modules
• Single channel Repeater with ‘scope Modules
• One or Two channel Optical Link Modules
• PROFIBUS DP Slave modules
• PROFINET IO Device modules
• Digital, Relay and Analogue IO modules – for use with PROFIBUS DP Slave and PROFINET IO Device modules

The modules can be mixed and matched to provide the required funtionality in an optimised arrangement.

What can we do with COMbricks™?
Let’s have a look at some application examples:

• Four channel repeater

  Allows four PROFIBUS DP segments to be connected into one network. Each segment can carry up to 31 devices and can use up to 1000m of cable (depends upon bit rate). The ProfiTrace function in the Head station can monitor all the segments over the Ethernet connection.

• Two channel PROFIBUS optical link and repeater

  Provides your network with a simple repeater giving two copper segments. But also provides two fibre optic segments for the sane network. The ProfiTrace monitor built into the head station provides remote monitoring of the whole network.

• Two channel PROFIBUS repeater with remote IO slave capability

  The slave together with an IO module provides some low cost inputs and outputs for driving panel indicators, switches and buttons all integrated into one compact unit. And of course built-in ProfiTrace functionality to monitor the network.

• 4 network PROFIBUS monitor

  Here we have four separate networks running at different speeds. The assembly provides repeater functionality for two of the networks. And all four networks can be remotely monitored via the ProfiTrace functionality in the Head Station.

• Four-way media redundancy

  In this example we have quadruple media redundancy for passing the network signal from one are to another. Up to ten redundant cables can be handled so that should be enough for even the most critical application. Redundancy can also include fibre-optic segments. However, be careful the proper design of redundant systems is not so simple – common mode failures can still bring down your network. But Combricks™ provides a valuable component in your redundancy design.

• DP/DP coupler (gateway)

  In this example the two PROFIBUS slave modules are each on separate networks, which can even run at different bus speeds. IO data is transferred between the slave modules via the Combricks™ backplane. Up to 244 bytes can be transferred be transferred in either direction using this arrangement. And of course, we must not forget that the built-in ProfiTrace functionality in the Head Station can monitor both networks remotely.

• PROFINET/PROFIBUS gateway

  The various COMbricks™ modules can be combined to build gateways between PROFINET and PROFIBUS using copper and/or fibre connectivity. You can also incorporate repeaters and remote IO if required.

The case for permanent network monitoring

ProfiTrace is an excellent tool for fault finding, But the on-site technician is required to be “the expert” in order to interpret the ProfiTrace information. There is no pre-warning of impending failures, therefore we must do regular health checks to ensure good quality communication. How much better to have the network monitoring built-in to your system?

COMbricks™ can be integrated at the start of the project or retro-fitted to existing projects to provide permanent remote monitoring of your networks. This integrated approach can give a warning when problems are about to occur. Monitoring information is always available over Ethernet and even over the Internet; no permanent PC connection is required. This monitoring data can be incorporated into SCADA systems using OPC server technology to give automatic display and logging of any problems as they occur. The CommDTM capability can also be used to provide parameter access to your devices via an FDT tool such as FieldCare or PactWare.

ProfiTrace OE
The COMbricks™ Head Station incorporates ProfiTrace functionality which is available Over Ethernet. ProfiTrace OE incorporated a web server which is remotely accessible via any web browser. ProfiTrace OE does not require ProfiTrace software to be installed on the monitoring station. The monitoring and logging is performed by the repeater modules which are inserted in the backplane.

ProfiTrace OE allows multiple networks in multiple installations to be monitored remotely via multiple web browsers. Segments, networks and locations are easily identified from the browser screens. It even tells you the temperature of the remote COMbricks™ unit.

Please note that the ProfiTrace ScopeWare (waveform visualisation) is currently not implemented in ProfiTrace OE.

When will it be available?
The Head Stations and all Repeater modules are currently available. Starter kits can be purchased allowing two or four network monitoring withand without the ‘scope functionality. Other modules will be released later. Watch the VTC web site for announcements.