Siemens is expanding its range for the development of PC-based automation solutions in series machine construction with a Profinet driver for controller applications. With this driver, which is supplied as source code, users can implement individual Profinet communication solutions on standard PCs, for example for networked machines in a production line. No special hardware is required for the communication solution, as the driver uses the conventional Ethernet interface of the standard PC. The Profinet driver is suitable for standard operating systems and is configured via an open XML interface. Engineering tools such as the TIA Portal (Totally Integrated Automation) can support the user. The driver supports Profinet with real-time (RT) and achieves cycle times in the range of 1 ms with a real-time operating system.