Design, implementation, and performance analysis of the WorldFIP/ATM local bridge

World factory instrumentation protocol (WorldFIP) is a fieldbus network protocol that provides a link between level zero (sensors/actuators) and level one (field controllers such as programmable logic controllers, etc.) in industrial automation systems. Accessing and connecting the WorldFIP remotely is important for monitoring, maintaining, and controlling devices in a factory in which asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is used as a backbone network. In this study, a transparent WorldFIP/ATM bridge was designed and implemented in order to access devices on WorldFIP via an ATM network. This designed bridge may also provide control of the devices over wide area networks. The bridge’s performance was investigated using network simulation software under various message traffic conditions. The results obtained from the simulations showed that the bridge provides real-time communications between WorldFIP and ATM.