ingle Pair Ethernet (SPE) emerged in the early 2010s, driven by automotive manufacturers looking for a lighter,
high speed, communication solution. It wasn’t long, however, before its potential for other industrial applications was recognised. Now, SPE is helping to simplify and
standardise the complex web of communication protocols commonly found on factory floors. This cost-effective and space-saving technology – which uses just two wires instead of the eight found in regular Ethernet – is also shaping Industry 4.0, allowing two-way data transmission with simultaneous power supply. Today’s fast-paced world of industrial
automation demands reliable connectivity but, as devices get smaller, smarter and more interconnected, traditional Ethernet solutions can’t always meet the needs of modern factories and systems. SPE offers a simple yet powerful means of connecting devices, sensors and systems on the factory floor and beyond.
Industrial systems can be thought of as a pyramid, with sensors, valves and actuators at the bottom, controllers in the middle, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems at the top. However, the majority of communication typically stays within each layer, making it hard to deliver real-time information between layers – from the factory floor to management, for example. Industry 4.0 is transforming traditional
industrial approaches, integrating digital technologies – such as the Internet of Things
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(IoT), real-time data exchange and cyber-physical systems – to create more efficient ‘smart factories’ that improve data flow between devices, delivering better insights for faster decision-making. Integrating
numerous devices is not without challenges. Different manufacturers often use their own communication protocols, while expanding networks to support more devices can result in complex cabling, higher installation costs, and issues with maintaining reliable long-distance communication. SPE offers a simple, consistent way for devices at the lower levels of the pyramid to talk to each other, extending Ethernet-based communication further down the stack. This allows sensors and controllers to connect more directly with higher- level systems, where Ethernet has long been ingrained. The result is quicker, smarter, decisions that provide the real-time insights needed to keep everything running smoothly.
SPE was developed in the late 2010s to tackle the growing complexity of industrial communications. Standard Ethernet relies on four pairs of wires (eight wires in total), making it bulky and hard to fit into smaller devices. In contrast, SPE, which uses Power over Data Line (PoDL) technology, requires just two wires for both data and power transmission. While SPE doesn’t match the bandwidth or speed of the latest standard Ethernet cables, it offers a practical solution when lower
Figure 2: SPE
can transmit both data and power simultaneously
transmission capabilities are enough. Delivering both data and power through the same two wires reduces installation times and costs, and makes SPE ideal for environments where space is limited, such as factory installations, vehicles and even smart city systems. And, with the ability to transmit data over distances up to 1,000 metres, it’s well-suited to large industrial sites where sensors and devices are spread out.
SPE is already making a big difference in industrial automation. Factories are taking advantage of SPE to connect sensors, actuators and control systems for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and faster response times; and its high data transfer speeds are a natural fit for robotics, process control and high speed production lines. SPE is also finding its way into automotive
systems, where its inherently lightweight design and minimal cabling is advantageous. Smart cities are benefitting too, with SPE helping to connect systems such as traffic lights and building controls. There are also potential applications in railway transportation – where reducing cable weight makes trains more efficient – and agriculture, to support systems that monitor soil and crops.
Figure 1: Industrial communication is often likened to a pyramid, with sensors and machinery at the bottom and ERP at the top
Industry is only just beginning to realise the potential of SPE, with much more to come as increased data speeds and longer reaches become reality. Companies such as Bulgin – part of the SPE Industrial Partner Network – are constantly refining and improving SPE solutions to keep up with the latest developments, ensuring support for engineers and designers who are increasingly embracing smarter systems as the route to a more connected, efficient future.
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