Softing has announced the PBpro USB, which it claims is the world’s smallest PROFIBUS master interface for PCs. According to the company, the product is the size of a matchbox and can be easily stowed in any laptop bag, making it a convenient companion for mobile use.
The fast PC connection via USB high-speed makes the product a suitable interface for a wide variety of tasks from network configuration and device parameterisation to plant maintenance and production data acquisition. The interface is connected directly to a device on the PROFIBUS target system, thereby avoiding circuit-induced reflections of the fieldbus signal.
The product’s scope of delivery includes Windows drivers for XP to Windows 10, various programming examples, a communication DTM for FDT applications and a PROFIBUS configurator with commissioning function. It is also compatible with its predecessor PROFlusb, and can be used directly in a variety of commercially available applications.