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Communication protocolsPROFINET

PROFINET with Wandelbots NOVA

PROFINET is a widely used industrial Ethernet standard that enables real-time communication between automation devices. It is particularly useful for connecting Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) with field devices like sensors, actuators, and robots.

Communication architecture

When using PROFINET with Wandelbots NOVA, the following components interact with each other:

  • A controller, in this case the PLC, which coordinates communication, sends commands, and receives data from field devices.
  • A field device, in this case Wandelbots NOVA, which receives instructions from and transmits data back to the PLC.
  • A network infrastructure including ethernet hardware, switches, etc.
  • A configuration tool, in this case the Siemens TIA Portal.

The default cycle time for PROFINET communication is 8 ms. For higher frequency, refer to Prerequisites.

To communicate with cell periphery via PROFINET, you must obtain the PROFINET license 6ES7195-3AA05-0XA0 . If you’re using a SIEMENS IPC as your NOVA instance, a PROFINET license might already be included. Please check with your SIEMENS representative or refer to the documentation of your IPC.

Attach the license sticker directly onto your NOVA instance. This is a legal requirement to ensure you have the necessary rights for using PROFINET technology.

info

A Wandelbots NOVA license does not include the PROFINET license. You must purchase the PROFINET license separately.

Further details on obligations regarding third-party software, see Usage of third-party software.

How to set up PROFINET with Wandelbots NOVA

Setting up PROFINET with Wandelbots NOVA involves the PLC, the TIA Portal, the NOVA instance and the Wandelbots NOVA API.

Prerequisites

You’ll need:

  • An ethernet cable,
  • A Wandelbots NOVA instance,
  • A PLC that supports PROFINET,
  • The TIA Portal software installed on your computer

    For TIA Portal v19 and v20, update to NOVA 25.8 and download the latest PROFINET GSD file here.
    Only files named pn-device ensure compatibility with all TIA Portal versions, including v19 and v20. Wandelbots NOVA 25.7 supports TIA Portal up to v18.

  • The PROFINET license 6ES7195-3AA05-0XA0.
  • A real-time kernel installed on your NOVA instance if you want shorter PROFINET cycle times than the default 8 ms.
    For more information, see Install real-time kernel.

Connect Wandelbots NOVA instance to PLC

  1. Plug the ethernet cable into the PLC’s port.
  2. Plug the other end of the ethernet cable into the Wandelbots NOVA instance’s port.
    Remember the port number.
  3. Open http://<instance's IP address>:9090 and go to Networking to access the instance’s IP addresses.
  4. Note down the MAC address of the port you just connected to.
    You will need this MAC address to connect to the PLC from your NOVA instance.
  5. Note down the port name and IP address of the port where the IPC is connected to the internet.
    You will need this information to connect to the PLC from your NOVA instance.
  1. Open the Setup app on your NOVA instance.
  2. Navigate to the desired cell and open the Profinet tab.
  3. Click Connect to PLC.
  4. You now have to confirm that you’re in possession of the PROFINET license, see Legal requirements.
  5. Select the PLC type Physical for physical PLCs and SoftPLCs and Virtual if you want to simulate connecting to a PLC.
  6. PROFINET port: Enter the MAC address noted in Connect Wandelbots NOVA instance to PLC and the PLC IP address.
  7. Port with internet connection: Enter the IPC’s port name and IP address plus the gateway noted in Connect Wandelbots NOVA instance to PLC.
  8. Click Connect.
    The PLC successfully connected to the NOVA instance is now displayed in the Profinet tab.

Configure NOVA instance in TIA Portal

  1. Follow the Siemens TIA Portal documentation  to create a new project.
    The NOVA instance needs to be configured as a device.
  2. Download the device description file (GSDML).
    Download Wandelbots NOVA GSDML (all TIA Portal versions)
  3. Unzip the downloaded file and import the gsdml-v2.45-wandelbots-pn-device-20250805.xml file into TIA Portal.
  4. Open Further field devices > PROFINET IO and add the NOVA instance as a device to the network view.
  5. Open the Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) settings of the NOVA instance, and define an IP address and a name.
  6. Add the 64 byte input module from the catalogue to the device overview, then the 64 byte output module.
  7. Take note of the I address (E address in German) and Q address (A address in German).
    You will need these module addresses to configure the PROFINET signals on your NOVA instance.
  8. In TIA Portal, download the hardware configuration to the PLC using the “Download to device” symbol in the tab bar.
  9. Go to Online access and scan for accessible devices. The device you’re looking for carries the MAC address entered in Connect Wandelbots NOVA instance to PLC.\
  10. Open the Online & Diagnostics view from the sidebar.
  11. Open Functions and enter the name and IP address from the hardware configuration. After a successful connection, a green checkmark next to the device in the Distributed I/O folder indicates that the cyclic data exchange started.

Enable importing PROFINET signals to your NOVA instance

  1. Open PLC variables > Table.
  2. Configure your desired inputs and outputs using a flat table structure.
  3. Click the export icon and select .xml as the file format.
    The file is saved and can now be imported.

Import PROFINET signals

Once you have set up PROFINET, you can import the PROFINET signals to your NOVA instance.

Importing signals will override any existing signals.

  1. In the Profinet tab, click Import PLC variables.
    A dialogue opens where you can select the .xml file exported from TIA Portal.
  2. Select the desired .xml file.
  3. Set the module addresses I address (E address in German) and Q address (A address in German) to the values noted in Enable importing PROFINET signals to your NOVA instance.
  4. Click Import.
    The signals are now displayed in the Signals section and can be used in your robot programs.

Manually add PROFINET signals

Alternatively, you can manually add PROFINET signals in the Setup app.

  1. In the Profinet tab, click .
  2. Enter the signal name.
  3. Select the data type and signal.
  4. Optional: Enter a comment.
  5. Confirm with .
    The signals are now displayed in the Signals section and can be used in your robot programs.

FAQ

Can I import PROFINET signals via .xml file on top of manually created signals?

Yes, BUT the import overwrites any existing signals.

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