PNS Configure Profinet IO Controller in IRT mode

Owned by Stefan Neumann
Last updated: 2021-03-15 by Enis Hassad

1. SYCON.net

In SYCON.net are two PROFINET controller available.

CIFX RE/PNM is for PROFINET IO Controller V2. This is the old PROFINET controller with PROFINET specification V2.2 and can only run in RT mode.

CIFX RE/PNM V3 is for PROFINET IO Controller V3. This is the new PROFINET controller with PROFINET specification V2.3x and can run in RT or IRT mode.


2. V3 PROFINET Controller for IRT

For IRT the port-to-port connections must be configured. For this, SYCON.net creates two views:

  • Network View
  • Topology View:


Network View

Topology View:


3. Add netX90 device

Install the GSDML file from the extendedConfig example.

The extendedConfig example can be found in the Knowledge Base on the following website:

netX 90: https://hilscher.atlassian.net/wiki/display/NXLFWHST/netX+90+-+PROFINET+IO+Device+-+Examples


The GSDML file can be found in the netXStudio project in Project Explorer at:

netXxx_PNSVx_extendedConfig → Components → cifXApplicationDemoPNS → DeviceDescription → GSDML-V2.3x-HILSCHER-NETX xx-RE PNS-20xxxxxx.xml


Go to the device catalogue and add the netX90 device.


Switch to Topology View and connect Port 1 from PROFINET IO Controller with Port 1 from PROFINET IO Device.

Take care, that the ports of the hardware is really connected like configured.


4. Set IRT Mode in the controller and device

Choose the controller:


Choose the device:


5. Download this Configuration in the IO Controller


The IO Controller starts an IRT connection to the IO Device.

Note: Do not install a switch or other devices between IO Controller Port1 and IO Device Port1, only a netANALYZER or a special device like a TAP can be used to create a trace of this communication because such device do not interrupt the IRT communication.