Tool based device development method for rapid prototyping of profile conform field devices

Field devices are offering more and more functionality to automation systems. This leads to increasing complexity of such devices, to more engineering efforts, and requires more integration tests. Rapid Prototyping is an accepted approach for reducing engineering efforts. Referring to the existing software field device “Generic Device” the paper presents a semi-automatic approach for field device development in the context of rapid prototyping. The application function of such devices is generated from application profile specifications. Concepts, features and tools are described. A validation of the approach based on PROFINET IO devices is included.