Guaranteeing DCCS timing requirements using P-NET fieldbus networks

In this paper, we analyse the ability of the P-NET fieldbus network to cope with the timing requirements of a Distributed Computer Control System (DCCS), where messages associated to discrete events should be made available to a distributed application within a maximum bound time. The major contribution of this paper is the integration of a pre-run-time schedulability analysis of the P-NET protocol with the typical Distributed Computer Controlled System requirement. A case study of a petrochemical DCCS application and its message communication support is presented stressing some of the timing requirements that must be satisfied by the message exchanges. An implementation supported by a P-NET fieldbus network is then analysed and some conclusions are drawn about this example.