Data Communication From The Device To The Field

2023 Author: Hannah Pearcy | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-06-01 01:49

Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is the buzzword when it comes to the network infrastructure for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Users expect this to be a consistent communication architecture in all applications in which data is generated. Behind this is the concept of extending Ethernet to include sensors. That means wherever there are no data highways and you still need compact data transmission with a long range.

Industrial Ethernet networking is used in industrial applications and brings many advantages with real-time transmission. However, the technology is too complex for simple sensor applications. “A bus architecture is still used at the sensor-actuator level. We now want to create an IP-based communication infrastructure with a uniform communication protocol from the sensor to the cloud,”explains Simon Seereiner, Head of Product Management SAI & IE at Weidmüller.

Supplementary information on the topic of construction enablers: data communication

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Challenge: Digitalization and Industry 4.0 are collecting, analyzing and evaluating data with increasing frequency. It is important to design the enormous data flow quickly and reliably - from the sensor to the cloud. There are no uniform standards for this yet, which complicates a consistent communication architecture.

Solution: In the industrial communication infrastructure, single pair Ethernet (SPE) in particular is a mega trend that is becoming increasingly prevalent. SPE only needs one pair of wires to transmit data and power (Power over Dataline PoDL). Weidmüller is involved in technology partnerships with other companies in order to advance the standardization of the technology.

What's in it: SPE enables data transmission down to the very last corner of the plant field and thus also opens up applications for which the Industrial Ethernet would be oversized. SPE thus fulfills an essential requirement for IIoT applications.

Avoid oversized data transfer rates

This should succeed with Single Pair Ethernet. Because SPE does not use oversized data transfer rates, it can bridge larger distances and that with a more compact design. Because - unlike previous Ethernet cabling - the connection technology only requires one wire pair instead of two or four pairs.

This is thanks to the development in the automotive industry. Because space and weight savings play a major role there. You need an infrastructure with as few cables as possible, but thanks to the increasingly autonomous driving characteristics they have to do a lot. "For these reasons, automobile manufacturers started developing a protocol for single pair Ethernet with the IEEE standardization body in 2012," explains Seereiner.

Hannover fair 2019

Technology partnership for single pair Ethernet concluded

Due to digitization, the same topic is now appearing in industry: As more and more sensors are integrated in machines and systems, the cabling must be compact and suitable for industrial use. Single pair Ethernet is considered a key technology that enables IoT applications in industry: Transmission rates of 10 Mbits / s with a transmission length of 1000 m up to 1 Gbit / s with a length of up to 40 m are even for sophisticated sensors sufficient. Scanners and cameras for monitoring or recording the type and position of a component can also be integrated into the network with Ethernet.

Construction Practice Podcast

Episode 2: Data transmission

The Konstruktionsspraxis podcast, the specialist magazine for listening, provides quick and entertaining information about exciting technology topics. In this episode we talk to Simon Seereiner from Weidmüller about Single Pair Ethernet.

Data and energy supply in one

Thanks to the Power over Data Line (PoDL), the power supply of the connected component can also be ensured with Single Pair Ethernet. Up to 60 W can be routed to an interface with simultaneous data transmission of 100 Mbit / s. “This enables a sensor to be supplied with both energy and data with just one two-wire cable. And all of that in a small, compact design,”explains Seereiner. An additional line for energy supply is not required, which brings advantages in tight spaces.

Energy transmission is anchored in the standards, while data transmission is carried out at the same time. The IEEE has defined a division into different power classes. Since classes 1-9 are already assigned by Power over Ethernet (PoE), the power classes at PoDL start at 10.

IEC 63171 series connector

Weidmüller already has two connectors for single-pair Ethernet technology in its portfolio. A variant in protection class IP20 and a variant in protection class IP67. Both variants belong to the IEC 63171 series of standards, in which connectors for the single pair Ethernet are defined.

Due to the robust locking mechanism - similar to that of the RJ45 connector, a pull-out force of at least 50 N and an industrial dielectric strength of 2.25 kV DC, the new SPE connectors have ideal properties for industrial use. The high packing density ensures that up to 50% less space is required compared to the RJ45 connector in the IP20 environment. In addition, the SPE connectors can also be assembled quickly and easily in the field and are suitable for cabling in the AWG 26 to AWG 22 range.

Supplementary information on Weidmüller - partner for industrial connectivity

With experienced experts, Weidmüller supports its customers and partners around the world with products, solutions and services in the industrial environment of energy, signals and data. The company knows the industries and markets as well as the technological challenges of tomorrow. Weidmüller constantly develops innovative, sustainable and value-adding solutions for the individual requirements of customers. Together with them, the company wants to set standards in industrial connectivity.

• The Weidmüller group has production facilities, sales companies and agencies in more than 80 countries.
• In the 2018 financial year, Weidmüller achieved sales of EUR 823 million with around 4900 employees.

With these new developments, Weidmüller is playing a pioneering role, because the technology is far from being accepted in industry. This pioneering spirit lies in the company's DNA. With his inventions, Weidmüller has always helped to shape the branch of connection and device connection technology. That is why the company dealt with the topics of Industry 4.0 and digitalization early on. The basis of the digital transformation is the IIoT, which enables the constant exchange of data between all parts, components and devices. It has long been clear to Weidmüller where the journey is headed and how the company can help shape the digital transformation with industrial connection and connection technology.

Pool experience and know-how

In order to further advance single pair Ethernet for industry, many experts from the fields of connector and connection technology, automation technology and the cable industry have come together to develop internationally applicable standards for the technology.

Weidmüller has also been involved in such a technology partnership from the start. "We want to put the topic of single pair Ethernet on the broadest possible basis, so manufacturers of sensors, cables, connectors, measuring devices and chips as well as end devices work together in our network to bundle their skills there," describes Seereiner the partnership.

This created a platform on which all participating companies can exchange ideas. “You benefit from the experience of others, for example when it comes to implementing new products,” says Seereiner. The aim of the technology partnership is to ensure a coordinated infrastructure for devices, connectors, cables and measurement technology.

International standardization as the basis

International standardization forms the basis for such a uniform and integrated infrastructure. In such an important technology, various associations are involved, including the IEEE. For the IEEE 802.3cg project, connectors with their electrical properties were defined for the first time in the IEEE environment. All connectors that meet the electrical properties of the standard can be used.

The connectors for single pair Ethernet are defined in the IEC 63171-X series of standards. The design of the mating faces and the mechanical requirements for the connectors are described in the subordinate series of standards. Weidmüller's SPE connectors belong, for example, to the variant IEC 63171-2 for the environment IP20 and to the variant IEC 63171-5 for the environment IP67.

Four-chamber SPE connector

The company is presenting its two connector solutions for single pair Ethernet at the Hanover Fair. “Both mating faces - for IP20 and IP67 - are compatible with each other. This is particularly advantageous in field measurement technology. There, users can simply connect devices with an IP67 interface and vice versa with an IP20 measuring connector,”Seereiner reveals in advance. And further: "In addition to the individual plugs, a 4-chamber version is planned." This means that four SPE cabling can be implemented in a compact size via an interface: the housing is smaller than a conventional RJ45 housing. So Weidmüller is working flat out on other solutions that enable an infrastructure for SPE technology.

Personnel

IIoT expert changes from Bosch Rexroth to Weidmüller