May, 2020
www.us-
tech.com
Page 67
A Revolution in Ethernet Connectors? New Industrial Interface Opens up New Opportunities
By Horst Messerer, Product Manager, Helukabel
and in the decades that followed, technologically superior variations were developed for use in industrial applications. It is hard to imagine the industrial world today
H
without them, not just for their convincing price-to- performance ratio, but because they are almost syn- onymous with Ethernet connections. However, this could change as the ix Industrial
interface has recently emerged as a promising alter- native with a significantly smaller design and more robust construction. This connector is opening up new opportunities in device manufacturing and offers benefits to end users. RJ connectors were introduced
in the 1970s by Bell Laboratories and standardized a few years later by the FCC (Federal Communications Com - mis sion). One of the best-known ver- sions is the RJ45 connector, which connects PCs to wall outlets with patch cables ranging from Category 5 to Category 7. Over the years, more technologically advanced, industry- approved RJ45 connectors have been developed. These are compatible with larg-
er cables and wires, can be assem- bled without crimping tools and are shielded to meet industry EMC requirements. A popular example is the RJ45 connector used in Siemens DRIVE-CLiQ systems, which has two integrated power contacts that allow data and power transmission over a single cable. Up to eight data cables (four pairs) and two power cables can be connected to it.
Barrier to Miniaturization While the features listed above
are adequate for the RJ45, it does pose significant drawbacks. First, the connector is not robust enough for many applications. Industrial ver- sions only have one locking hook, which, unlike the plastic office ver- sion, is made of metal and provides at least some durability. A far more serious drawback, however, is the size of the plugs and sockets. As miniaturization advances,
devices get smaller and smaller, as do the circuit boards upon which the sockets are mounted. As a result, the connector’s dimensions of 0.28 to 0.43 in. (7 to 11 mm) become comparative- ly large and the product designer must ensure sufficient space is allo- cated. The limits of miniaturization, especially for
compact mobile
devices, displays, small programma- ble controllers, cameras, and sensors, are then defined by the size of the RJ45 connector. It is easy to under- stand why a smaller Ethernet con- nector would be desirable.
Modern Alternative A modern alternative that could
replace the RJ45 industrial version has recently emerged — the ix Industrial interface with 10 contacts, Cat 6A classification and data trans- mission rates of up to 10 Gb. It is compliant with IEC/PAS 61076-3- 124, and, due to multiple advan- tages, could potentially supersede the standard industrial RJ45 in its implementation as a robust, minia-
30 MORE THAN
2130 Victor Place, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915 USA Website:
virtual-ii.com E-mail:
info@virtual-ii.com USA Telephone: 719-572-5566 Fax: 719-572-5504
Visit our website or contact us for additional information.
New industrial Cat 6A: ix Industrial
connectors from HIROSE with Ethernet cables from HELUKABEL.
ardly any other connector is as widely used as the RJ45 (also known as the “western plug”). It has been around since the 1970s,
turized Ethernet interface. Some advantages of the ix Industrial inter-
face include a more compact mating surface and high mechanical robustness. Designed with indus- trial settings in mind, it has two sturdy locking mechanisms with metal hooks to ensure resistance to vibrations and contact durability. It is suitable for ambient temperatures from
–40 to +85°F (–40 to +185°C) and shielding pro- vides EMC robustness. The ix female connector only requires 30 percent of the space of a RJ45
Continued on next page
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