Safety
CIP-based networks embrace safety elements
The Open DeviceNet Vendors Association (ODVA) has announced the
definition of a safety extension to the underlying Control and
Information Protocol (CIP) within DeviceNet and Ethernet/IP. The CIP
Safety protocol can be used with any CIP based network. Its first
implementation will be over DeviceNet, and will provide fail-safe
communication between nodes such as safety I/O blocks, safety interlock
switches, safety light curtains and safety PLCs. The next implementation
will be Ethernet/IP Safety, with other protocols being developed
according to market demands.
Concept approval from TUV has already been achieved for the protocol, and
when completed and certified, the open specification will be owned and
managed by the ODVA. The three companies working on this project, Omron,
Rockwell Automation and Sick, hope to introduce the first implementation
on DeviceNet some time next year. As an open standard, CIP Safety is
targeted at safety applications up to Safety Integrity Level 3, compliant
to IEC 61508.