Field device connection with previous technology (left) and with SIMATIC CFU (right)

The new SIMATIC Compact Field Unit (CFU) is a real game-changer in field device connection and offers you entirely new prospects regarding simplicity and flexibility. This compact field distributor is installed at the process level and is connected via PROFINET directly to the process control system to form the foundation for digitalization in the field. Utilization of digital fieldbus communication simplifies device interfacing considerably compared to conventional 4 to 20-mA engineering.

Plug-and-produce simplicity

Digitalization requires a digital infrastructure facilitating integrated digital communication right down to the sensors and actuators. This can be built up using the tried and tested, standard PROFIBUS PA which has been incorporated into the PA Edition of the SIMATIC CFU, thus combining ruggedness and simplified handling with all the advantages of the PROFINET standard based on Industrial Ethernet. Connected devices are addressed automatically, and integration is simple via standardized communication profiles.

This innovative new implementation of the PROFIBUS PA concept makes it possible to combine the simplicity of a point-to-point wiring system with the scalability of digital PROFIBUS PA fieldbus communication.

As with digital field devices, it is not necessary to know prior to connection whether the discrete field device is a sensor or actuator – this can be easily configured afterwards with software.

Greater flexibility thanks to consistent decentralization

Thanks to the distributed installation of the SIMATIC CFU, classic control cabinets are no longer required and you can make considerable savings in cabling and the number of terminal points as well as reduce planning and documentation overheads. The high granularity (16 I/O per SIMATIC CFU) enables flexible assignment to the higher-level controllers.