Installation and Start-up Guide for NPBA-01
B-1
Appendix B – Definitions and Abbreviations
PROFIBUS Definitions
Acyclic Communication
Communication in which messages are sent only once on request
Array
Parameter consisting of data fields of equal data type
Broadcast
Non-acknowledged message from master to all bus participants
(compare Multicast)
Communication Object
Any object of a real device that can be communicated with (variable,
program, data range, etc.). Stored locally in the Object Dictionary
Control Word
Word from master to slave with bit-coded control signals
Cyclic Communication
Communication in which Parameter-/Process Data-Objects are sent
cyclically at pre-defined intervals
Device Class
Classification according to the number of profile functions included in
the device
Drivecast
Broad- and Multicast, a special message frame for drives
Fault
Event that leads to tripping of the device
Index
Access reference for Objects in PROFIBUS
Information Report
Non-acknowledged message from master to one or all groups of bus
participants
Master
Control system with bus initiative. In PROFIBUS terminology, master
stations are also called active stations.
Multicast
Non-acknowledged message from master to one group of bus
participants (compare Broadcast)
Name
Symbolic name of a parameter
Nibble
Set of 4 bits
Object Dictionary
Local storage of all Communication Objects recognised by a device
Object List
List of all accessible objects
Parameter
Value that can be accessed as Object, e.g. variable, constant, signal
Parameter Description
Specification of a parameter
Parameter Number
Parameter address
Parameter/Process
Data Object
Special object that contains Parameter and Process Data
