Overview
EN IEC 61784-2-10:2023 (IEC 61784-2-10:2023) defines Communication Profile Family 10 (CPF 10) - a Real‑Time Ethernet (RTE) communication profile family based on IEC 61158 (Type 17) and ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3 (Ethernet). CPF 10 (also referenced as Vnet/IP in the document) specifies the real‑time communication profile (CP), the required network component behavior across OSI layers, and the RTE performance indicators (PIs) and their interdependencies needed to design, select and verify deterministic Ethernet solutions for industrial process and automation networks.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Definition of CPF 10 structure and profile components: physical layer, data‑link layer (DLL) and application layer mappings for CP 10/1.
- Layer-specific selections: DLL service and protocol choices, transport layer parameter guidance, and application layer services/protocols relevant to CPF 10.
- RTE Performance Indicators (PIs): specification of performance metrics for real‑time behavior (latency, jitter, loss characteristics) and the dependency matrix showing how PIs influence one another.
- Consistent PI sets: predefined PI combinations for communications between end‑stations within the same domain, across domains, and for scenarios such as lost frames.
- Normative references to supporting standards and technologies, including IEEE 802.1AS (time/synchronization), IEEE 802.1Q (bridging/VLANs), IEEE 802.1AB (link discovery), TCP/UDP/IP and relevant RFCs - enabling interoperable RTE implementations.
- Guidance intended for conformance, interoperability and performance evaluation rather than prescriptive hardware designs.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Industrial automation and process control engineers specifying deterministic Ethernet for control loops, safety‑related communication, distributed I/O and motion control.
- Device and network equipment manufacturers implementing CPF 10 (Type 17 / Vnet/IP) compliant interfaces and firmware.
- System integrators and solution architects selecting network topologies, switches and end‑stations for predictable real‑time behavior.
- Test labs and conformity assessors validating declared RTE performance indicators and verifying PI dependencies.
- Procurement and standards teams requiring standardized profiles to ensure interoperability across multi‑vendor industrial networks.
Related standards
- IEC 61158 series (Fieldbus specifications - Type 17 elements)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3 (Ethernet)
- IEEE 802.1AS, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.1AB
- TCP/UDP/IP (IETF RFCs referenced)
EN IEC 61784-2-10:2023 is part of the IEC 61784‑2 series of additional real‑time fieldbus profiles and updates earlier editions to streamline CPF‑based RTE deployments for modern industrial Ethernet applications.
