Design, elaboration and implementation of 4–20mA current to profibus PA converter

This document presents the standard requirements, developments and evaluation of a converter from 4-20mA to Profibus-PA, standing out the complexity that implies the design of a device that must fulfill the technical requirements as established in an international standard. First, concepts and requirements of the Profibus PA protocol are stated, describing the structure of the messages frames and the way to send them within an industrial telecommunications network. Later on, the internal layout of the designed converter is explained, emphasizing the components used to fulfill the international standard IEC61158. In addition, the use of Bus Check BC-450 Softing protocol analyzer is exposed as an analysis and monitoring tool for the configured network.