IEC 61158-1:2014

Overview

IEC 61158-1:2014 is a key international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It provides a comprehensive overview and guidance for the IEC 61158 and IEC 61784 series, which define fieldbus specifications for industrial communication networks. This standard establishes the fundamental concepts of fieldbuses, explaining the structure and content of the IEC 61158 series and its alignment with the ISO/IEC 7498-1 OSI Basic Reference Model.

A significant update in the 2014 edition, IEC 61158-1 introduces new types for profile families, expands communication profiles to include wireless networks, and details fieldbus system requirements and media selection. Its clear framework supports consistent implementation of communication protocols in industrial automation, fostering interoperability and enhancing network performance.

Key Topics

• Fieldbus Concept and Architecture
  IEC 61158-1 elaborates the generic concept of fieldbus systems, describing their layered architecture aligned with the OSI model. It differentiates service and protocol layers for the physical, data-link, and application layers, offering guidance on implementing robust industrial communication networks.

• IEC 61158 and IEC 61784 Series Structure
  The standard dissects the IEC 61158 series into physical, data-link, and application layers while integrating IEC 61784 profiles that ensure functional safety and installation guidelines. It provides detailed mapping of communication profile families (CPF) and types, including the introduction of new types 23, 24, and related CPF families.

• Wireless Communication Profiles
  A new addition in this edition, Subclause 7.7 focuses on communication profiles tailored for wireless industrial networks, addressing challenges and quality of service requirements inherent to wireless environments in automation systems.

• Fieldbus System Requirements and Media Selection
  Clause 11 outlines mandatory system requirements for industrial control networks, including quality of service and interoperability considerations. Annex B guides users on selecting appropriate media for fieldbus systems, covering wired and wireless options with performance characteristics.

• Application Layer Service Descriptions and Data Types
  The document provides formal descriptions of application layer services and generic fieldbus data types essential for developers and implementers to design compatible and efficient application protocols.

Applications

IEC 61158-1:2014 serves as a foundational reference for:

• Industrial Automation and Control Systems
  Facilitating reliable and standardized communication between field devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers within complex automation networks.

• Development of Fieldbus Communication Profiles
  Enabling vendors and system integrators to create interoperable communication profiles across various industrial sectors while ensuring compliance with international standards.

• Wireless Industrial Networking Solutions
  Helping design engineers implement wireless communication protocols that meet stringent industrial automation requirements for performance and safety.

• Quality of Service and Safety-Critical Systems
  Assisting in the design of communication systems supporting functional safety and real-time operation in mission-critical industrial environments.

• Media Selection and Network Design
  Providing practical guidance to select optimal communication media for fieldbus networks based on environmental and application-specific factors.

Related Standards

• IEC 61784 Series
  Complementing IEC 61158, this series specifies fieldbus communication profiles and installation profiles, including functional safety communication requirements, ensuring interoperability and safety.

• ISO/IEC 7498-1 OSI Basic Reference Model
  The foundational model for network layer architecture referenced by IEC 61158-1 to structure fieldbus communication layers logically.

• IEC 61918
  Offers additional technical details on communication profiles relevant to the IEC 61784 and IEC 61158 series.

• Other IEC Publications on Industrial Networks
  The IEC continuously updates standards related to industrial communication to incorporate emerging technologies and best practices.

Keywords: IEC 61158-1, industrial communication networks, fieldbus specifications, IEC 61784, OSI model, fieldbus system requirements, wireless communication profiles, industrial automation, communication profiles, fieldbus data types, media selection.