Profibus - DST & Licensing

Hi all,

If i am using I/O over Profibus (Siemens/STAHL/Rockwell) how do I calculate the DST/Licensing requirements of the IO signals?

GaryL

• 16 Dec 2024 1:18 PM
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4 Replies

• Andre Dicaire

  

  • 16 Dec 2024 8:07 PM

  The approach as of v12 is a single DST per device provides access to 16 signals configured, starting with the most complex (expensive signal type) so if an AO is present (byte, integer, float output) the first 16 signals are covered by this license. For each additional signal, a DST license is required based on the signal type DI, DO, AI or AO.
  
  The intent is that if you are connecting IO signals, the DeltaV DST license should apply, as this is the measure of DeltaV control software licensing. We don't charge for FB types and such (except for Advanced control blocks).

  Andre Dicaire

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• Andre Dicaire

  

  • 16 Dec 2024 8:09 PM

  In reply to Andre Dicaire:

  PS. With the v15 PK controller FP1 and up, you can enable and configure a native Profinet driver. This uses the same 16 signals per DST for 1 or 2 slot devices. For 3 or more slots, such as IO devices, every signal generates DST license. i.e. you don't get the first 16 signals for one DST license.

  Andre Dicaire

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• GaryL

  

  • 17 Dec 2024 8:50 AM

  In reply to Andre Dicaire:

  Thank you Andre very helpful have a nice Christmas break

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• Matthias Mulder

  

  • 27 May 2025 6:34 PM

  In reply to Andre Dicaire:

  Can I ask a related question? We are going to connect a Siemens PLC with Profibus to DeltaV. This Siemens PLC will send 64 words (16 bit per word) to DeltaV. Let's say 54 words represents analog signals (AI) and 10 words represent discrete signals (DI), packed in 16 bit words.
  
  If we configure the discrete signals as booleans (DI) will this consume 10x16 = 160 DI DST licenses? But if we configure 10 words instead and unpack the individual bits in control modules will this consume only 10 AI DSTs? Or do AI DST cost 16x as much as DI DSTs? What is best practice configuring DI signals?

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