For its RZ/T and RZ/N series of microprocessors (MPU) for industrial networking systems, Renesas Electronics Corporation unveiled the PROFINET-certified IRT and PROFIdrive software stack.
The first software versions are available for the RZ/T2M MPU, which is intended for servo motor control applications, and the RZ/N2L, which is intended for industrial internet gateway applications, such as remote-IO or industrial Ethernet devices. Utilizing Renesas devices with this software stack facilitates the certification process for customers’ devices.
The new stack, which supports PROFInet IRT (Isochronous Real-Time) and PROFIdrive, is Renesas’ first certified PROFINET software solution. Industrial automation equipment can communicate at high speeds thanks to PROFINET, the industry standard industrial Ethernet protocol.
PROFINET IRT, its highest performance class, is perfect for real-time applications like motion control systems and servo motors because it guarantees accurate and timely data transfer. Because of this, PROFINET is especially well-suited for applications where real-time operation is essential, such as manufacturing, robotics, and process control.
PROFINET stack on Renesas’ RZ/T and RZ/N Series Processors
All necessary features for industrial equipment communication, including PROFINET RT (Real-Time) communication, are included in the implementation of Renesas’ certified PROFINET IRT stack.
The software can manage plug and pull alarms, process, diagnostic, and status alerts, and it allows cyclic data interchange with a PROFINET IO controller.
It uses PROFINET and the device application to assign IP addresses and device names. Furthermore, it provides rapid startup capabilities, shared device support, media redundancy (MRP), and system redundancy (S2).
PROFIdrive Simplifies Process to Embed Drive Systems
With PROFIdrive, servo motors, variable speed drives, and other motion control devices may be easily integrated into automation systems, guaranteeing effective functioning and communication.
By standardizing data flow between devices, PROFIdrive offers crucial information including position, torque, and speed—all of which are necessary for accurate drive control.
It provides versatility in a range of industrial applications by supporting both traditional Ethernet and real-time communication via PROFINET IRT.
PROFIdrive Profile on Renesas’ RZ/T and RZ/N MPUs
For Application Class 4, Renesas implemented an example of a certified PROFIdrive application. As part of this, a drive object with a speed setpoint interface is implemented.
In addition to acyclic data interchange via the PROFIdrive parameter channel, it facilitates cyclic data exchange via conventional Telegrams 1, 2, and 3. The application also includes the PROFIdrive General State Machine state machine and PROFIdrive diagnostics.
The PROFIdrive encoder channel and its corresponding encoder state machine are included, and a drive control system simulation is provided.
Leadership Comments
“We are happy to extend our industrial Ethernet system support for the RZ/T and RZ/N series MPUs,” said Mohamed Dogar, Vice President of Embedded Processing Business Acceleration at Renesas. “We expect the outstanding market success that we achieved with our RZ/T and RZ/N MPU series to further accelerate with the introduction of our network stack integration. PROFINET is the market leading industrial protocol, and we are delighted to have integrated the Siemens PROFINET IRT Device Development Kit on our devices.”
“We are thrilled that our cooperation with Renesas has led to their first certified PROFINET IRT solutions using the Siemens PROFINET Device Development Kit,” said Efrossini Tsouchnika, Vice President Control at Siemens Digital Industries. “Industrial customers can now enjoy seamless integration options provided by Renesas within the PROFINET ecosystem, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration as Renesas invests in future iterations of the PROFINET technology.”
PROFINET Demonstration at embedded world 2025
Renesas will showcase its PROFINET IRT solution at its booth, Hall1, Stand 234 at embedded world 2025 in Nuremburg, Germany from March 11-13.
Availability and Licensing
Binary versions of the PROFINET stack for the RZ/T2M and RZ/N2L are available on the company’s website for evaluation. Customers can obtain licenses for commercial use directly from Renesas without the need for third-party involvement.
