Glossary · Data, timing and communication
Performance (automation system)
German: Performance
In automation, performance describes how well a system or component carries out its functions in measurable terms, such as cycle time, throughput, response time, accuracy or communication load.
- Data and interfaces
In one sentence
Performance describes how well an automation system carries out its functions, measured by cycle time, throughput, response time or accuracy.
Example
After adding a vision system, the PLC's cycle time rises from 4 ms to 9 ms, reducing the line's performance.
How it applies
- Engineering: Performance targets are stated as Performance requirements and checked by measurement; controller cycle time, network load and Latency are typical indicators.
- Operation: Performance in operation is tracked with KPIs such as OEE.
- Documentation: Published performance values should state conditions (configuration, load, firmware); the documentation team should reuse verified values only.
- Testing: Measure performance under realistic worst-case load, not only under ideal laboratory conditions.
Performance vs. Performance Level
"Performance" in the functional sense is unrelated to the Performance Level (PL) of ISO 13849-1, which expresses the ability of a safety function to perform under foreseeable conditions. Mixing them up in documentation causes serious misunderstandings.
Performance figures without stated conditions cannot be compared or verified.