SST 5136-PFB-PCI high-performance Profibus interface card

SST 5136-PFB-PCI is a high-performance Profibus interface card designed to provide a direct, high-speed connection between a PCI-bus computer and a Profibus DP network.

Developed by SST (now part of Molex), this “intelligent” communication module is engineered to act as a dedicated co-processor.

By handling the entire Profibus protocol stack on-board using its own RISC processor,

the 5136-PFB-PCI ensures that the host PC’s resources are not consumed by network timing requirements, providing deterministic performance for real-time industrial applications.

Technical Parameter Table

Related Models

The 5136-PFB series is part of a versatile family of Profibus interface solutions:

5136-PFB-VME: The 6U VMEbus version for high-end industrial controllers.

5136-PFB-ISA: Legacy version for older ISA-bus PC architectures.

SST-PB3-PCI: The next-generation “PB3” version with enhanced diagnostics.

5136-DNP-PCI: The DeviceNet equivalent for PCI-bus systems.

Application Cases

PC-Based Control: Turning an industrial PC into a high-speed Profibus Master to control a factory floor of Siemens or ABB I/O.

HMI/SCADA Systems: Providing real-time data visualization from a Profibus network to Windows-based monitoring stations.

System Integration: Bridging third-party industrial equipment (drives, sensors, valves) into a centralized PC-based automation hub.

Automotive Test Rigs: Managing high-speed data acquisition from multiple sensors in synchronized engine or chassis testing.

Product Advantages and Features

Intelligent Co-processing: The onboard RISC CPU manages all Profibus DP-V0 and DP-V1 timing, preventing host CPU “jitter.”

Universal PCI Compatibility: The card is keyed to fit into both legacy 5V and modern 3.3V PCI slots, ensuring long-term hardware flexibility.

Simultaneous Operations: Unique ability to operate as a Master and a Slave on the same network simultaneously.

High-Speed Throughput: The 512 KB shared RAM architecture allows the host PC to read/write network data at the maximum bus speed.

Flash-Based Firmware: Supports field updates, allowing the card to adapt to new Profibus features without physical replacement.

Installation and Maintenance

5136-PFB-PCI

Installation

Hardware: Insert the card into an available PCI slot. Ensure the system is powered off and grounded.

Configuration: Use the SST Profibus Console software to load the GSD files for your slave devices and define the network scan list.

Cabling: Use standard Profibus purple cable with DB9 connectors. Ensure the termination switches on the connectors at both ends of the segment are set to “ON.”

Maintenance

LED Status: Check the front-panel bicolor LEDs. A solid green light indicates a healthy “Run” state; flashing red typically indicates a configuration mismatch or a “Bus-Off” condition.

Diagnostics: Use the SST diagnostic utilities to monitor the “Cycle Time” and “Bus Loads” to prevent network bottlenecks.

Storage: The card stores configuration in Flash memory, meaning it will automatically resume operation after a power cycle without needing a reload from the PC.

Unique Product Description

The SST 5136-PFB-PCI is the “Gold Standard” for PC-to-Profibus connectivity.

While generic interface cards often struggle with the strict timing requirements of 12 Mbps Profibus traffic, the 5136-PFB-PCI treats the network as its own localized environment.

It effectively acts as a “Firewall” between the unpredictable timing of a Windows PC and the deterministic requirements of the factory floor, making it the most reliable choice for mission-critical industrial PC applications.