IEC 61158-2:2007

• Abstract:

  IEC 61158-2:2007 specifies the requirements for fieldbus component parts. It also specifies the media and network configuration requirements necessary to ensure agreed levels of data integrity before data-link Layer error checking; interoperability between devices at the physical layer. This fourth edition cancels and replaces IEC 61158-2:2003. This edition of this part constitutes a minor revision. This publication, together with its companion parts for Type 16, also partially replaces IEC 61491:2002 which is at present being revised. IEC 61491 will be issued as a technical report. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:; - deletion of the former Type 6 fieldbus for lack of market relevance;; - addition of new fieldbus types;; - generalization of the seldom-used Type 1 radio to a more useful form. This bilingual version (2014-04) corresponds to the monolingual English version, published in 2007-12.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 13-Dec-2007
• ICS: 25.040.40 - Industrial process measurement and control
• ICS: 35.100.20 - Data link layer
• ICS: 35.240.50 - IT applications in industry
• Technical Committee: SC 65C - Industrial networks
• Drafting Committee: WG 9 - TC 65/SC 65C/WG 9
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 22-Jul-2010
• Completion Date: 28-Aug-2026

• Revises: IEC 61158-2:2003/COR1:2004 - Corrigendum 1 - Digital data communications for measurement and control - Fieldbus for use in industrial control systems - Part 2: Physical layer specification and service definition
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 61158-2:2010 - Industrial communication networks - Fieldbus specifications - Part 2: Physical layer specification and service definition
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 61158-2:2003 - Digital data communications for measurement and control - Fieldbus for use in industrial control systems - Part 2: Physical layer specification and service definition
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 61158-2:2007 - “Industrial communication networks – Fieldbus specifications – Part 2: Physical layer specification and service definition” defines the physical layer requirements for fieldbus systems. This fourth edition (2007) specifies the media, network configuration and component-level requirements needed to ensure agreed levels of data integrity prior to data‑link layer error checking and to guarantee interoperability at the physical layer. The edition removes the seldom-used Type 6 fieldbus, adds new fieldbus types and generalizes the Type 1 radio specification. A bilingual 2014 release corresponds to the 2007 English version.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard covers detailed physical‑layer topics and service definitions, including:

• Physical layer services and interfaces - DLL–PhL interfaces, systems management interfaces and DTE–DCE definitions for multiple fieldbus types.
• Medium Dependent Sublayer (MDS) and MAU - specifications for wire, optical and radio media, and MDS–MAU interfaces.
• Medium Attachment Unit (MAU) specifications - electrical/optical transmitter and receiver circuits, jabber inhibit, network topology and medium characteristics for multiple types (examples in the document include 150 Ω twisted‑pair, 100 Ω bus topology, dual‑fiber and single‑fiber optical media).
• Bit rates and signalling - e.g., 31.25 kbit/s variants, current‑mode options (including 1 A variants), and higher-speed examples such as 5 Mbit/s coaxial.
• Power distribution and intrinsic safety - power delivery on the bus, intrinsic safety provisions and galvanic isolation requirements where applicable.
• Radio and antenna requirements - generalized radio (Type 1) air interface, modulation and antenna guidance.
• Testing and conformance aspects - parameters for achieving agreed data integrity before data‑link error checking and ensuring interoperability.

Applications and who uses this standard

IEC 61158-2 is essential for:

• Fieldbus device manufacturers designing physical interfaces (transceivers, MAUs) for compliance and interoperability.
• System integrators and automation engineers selecting media and network topologies for industrial control systems.
• Component vendors (cables, connectors, optical transceivers, antennas) ensuring compatibility with fieldbus physical layer requirements.
• Test labs and certification bodies evaluating conformance to physical layer specs.
• Safety engineers applying intrinsic safety and isolation requirements in hazardous environments.

Related standards

• IEC 61158 (series) - other parts cover data‑link layer and application-specific elements.
• This edition partially replaces IEC 61491:2002 (being revised and to be issued as a technical report).
• Refer to companion parts for Type 16 and other Type‑specific parts within IEC 61158 for complete protocol specifications.

Keywords: IEC 61158-2, fieldbus physical layer, industrial communication networks, MDS, MAU, DLL–PhL, fieldbus interoperability, intrinsic safety, twisted-pair, optical media, radio signaling.