Industrial Communication Cards

SST-PFB3-PCI

SST-PFB3-PCI - Profibus DP PCI Interface Card | Molex Woodhead

The Molex Woodhead SST-PFB3-PCI is a third-generation PROFIBUS DP interface card that connects a PCI-bus host computer to PROFIBUS DP-V0, DP-V1, and FDL networks, delivering deterministic high-speed communication for industrial automation systems. It supports DP-Master Class 1 and Class 2 operation, DP-Slave mode, and FDL (Layer 2) messaging, and integrates an onboard CPU that offloads the PROFIBUS protocol stack from the host CPU. The card is a standard half-height PCI card (175 x 107 mm) operating in industrial temperature environments. A PROFIBUS interface card is a dedicated hardware adapter that lets a Windows or Linux industrial PC, PLC backplane, or SCADA server exchange real-time I/O data with field devices such as remote I/O blocks, variable-frequency drives, encoders, and valve manifolds over the PROFIBUS DP (Decentralized Periphery) fieldbus. PROFIBUS DP is an IEC 61158 / EN 50170 standard fieldbus widely deployed in factory automation, process control, and motion-control applications. Within an automation hierarchy, a PROFIBUS card sits between the controller layer (PLC/industrial PC) and the device/field layer, providing deterministic cyclic I/O and acyclic parameterization channels. The SST-PFB3-PCI acts as the controller-side endpoint for those networks. Key features include support for PROFIBUS DP-V0, DP-V1, and FDL messaging, Master Class 1 and Class 2 capability, automatic 5 V / 3.3 V PCI signaling-level detection for universal motherboard compatibility, and downloadable application firmware modules that enable product-level behavior. An onboard processor manages the protocol stack, freeing the host CPU for application logic. The card is backward-compatible where possible with the legacy SST 5136-PFB-PCI, although it is not a drop-in replacement for that older board. The SST-PFB3-PCI is most often deployed in industrial PCs that act as PROFIBUS masters communicating with distributed I/O such as Siemens ET200, ABB drives, or third-party valve terminals. It is used in SCADA and HMI hosts that need to poll remote I/O racks, in PLC programming stations that must download project data to PROFIBUS-coupled controllers, and in test rigs and laboratory automation racks that exchange deterministic I/O with PROFIBUS-coupled instrumentation. The onboard CPU offload makes it suitable where deterministic latency is required regardless of host load. When integrating the SST-PFB3-PCI, verify that the host motherboard is fully PCI 2.2 (or later) compliant, because the optional 3.3 V supply in PCI 2.1 may not power the card on some legacy boards. Use a shielded PROFIBUS DP cable with a 9-pin D-sub connector, and terminate the segment with the standard PROFIBUS terminator at both ends. Configure the baud rate (9.6 kbps to 12 Mbps) to match the slowest device on the segment, and update the card firmware via the SST configuration tool before commissioning.