The Fieldbus subsystem could arrive in the Linux Kernel 5.2

Linux Kernel

It was a few weeks ago, version 5.0 of the Linux kernel was released and even though this version was finally achieved the development team has not stopped working in the next kernel versions.

And is that in the next versions of the Linux Kernel 5.xx a new subsystem «Fieldbus» could be introduced (or fieldbus), this is probably expected from Linux kernel version 5.2. It should primarily benefit industrial settings.

About Fieldbus

It is important to remember that the term Fieldbus (or fieldbus) refers to a set of network protocols dedicated to real-time distributed control of automated industrial systems They generally require a distributed control system and an organized hierarchy of control systems to operate.

Generally, at the top of this hierarchy is a human-machine interface (HMI) from which an operator can monitor or control the system.

On the bottom of the control chain is the famous fieldbus that connects PLCs to components that actually get the job done (switches, contactors, actuators, sensors, valves, console lights, electric motors…).

The field bus allows you to connect different systems, components or instruments in a wide variety of industrial environments.

It works in a network structure that allows chain, star, ring, branch and tree topologies.

The fieldbus specification has been around for decades and this subsystem has been developed to allow different devices to exchange data over a fieldbus, be it Profinet, FLNet, or another implementation.

The framework is designed to provide a generic interface for Fieldbus. Both Linux kernel and user space devices.

A benefit to industrial environments

Profinet is an industry technical standard for data communication over industrial Ethernet, designed to collect data and control equipment in industrial systems, with a special strength in the delivery of data under strict time restrictions (of the order of 1 ms or less).

The profinet card itself It is connected to the system through an industrial bus called 'anybus'.

The kernel of Linux 5.2 should also introduce support for HMS Profinet cards whose main function is to serve for industrial automation that is based on Ethernet and always uses IEEE 802.3u: 100Mbit / s Fast Ethernet.

This communication standard Profinet uses TCP / IP and information technology standards such as: web server: HTTP, communication protocol: SMTP, file transfer: FTP).

Profinet it also allows the use of XML technology.

The Linux Kernel fieldbus subsystem has undergone ten public reviews in recent months and has been deemed ready for use with Linux 5.2, which is expected to be final by July 2019.

Other changes for Kernel 5.2

In addition to being able to receive a benefit with Fieldbus, Linux kernel 5.2 is also expected to arrive with various AMDGPU updates.

Since the AMD developers who are in charge of the graphics driver support have started to do some of the visualization work in which include making the rolling boot code more generic and other fixes and enhancements.

There are also a number of PowerPlay / power management updates, including BACO (Bus Active, Chip Off) support for cards with Vega 12.

Finally it is also expected that Linux kernel 5.2 include GCC 9 Live Patching option since as explained by a colleague in his article (you can visit it in this link)

This is a compiler that is due to be released in the next few weeks. This is an option designed to help generate binaries that work well for Live Patching to work.

With the arrival of the Linux Kernel 5.2 this option will be used by default, which can cause speed drops.

Source: LWN


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