Feature: SPE 6-part series
Article 1: Introduction to Single Pair Ethernet and Its History
By Ruud Van Den Brink, product manager industrial communications and Manuel Ruter, senior principal engineer W
ith the rapid evolution of the Industrial Internet of Tings (IIoT), many manufacturing plants and industrial factories have dozens — if not hundreds or thousands — of devices that can communicate
with each other and share information. Tis makes it essential for companies to have a network that allows seamless communication between devices. In this first article installment in our six-part series on Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), learn more about the growth of SPE technology and the benefits it can offer for industrial applications.
Existing technology For many years, this communication has been handled using traditional Ethernet connections, which allows the connection of computers, equipment, and devices inside a local environment, referred to as the local area network (LAN). However, this type of Ethernet technology requires multiple pairs of copper wires, increasing the cost and space required for implementation. Technology has evolved, and many facilities have a mix of sensor types. Sensors equipped with Ethernet capabilities are smart sensors, while standard sensors that do not have Ethernet capabilities deliver a control signal only.
What is SPE? SPE uses only one pair of copper wires for the transmission of Ethernet. In addition to the data connection, SPE can also facilitate remote powering of terminal devices using power over data line (PoDL) or hybrid solutions. Previously, this required two pairs of copper wires for fast Ethernet (100 MB) or four pairs of wires for gigabit Ethernet. As a result, SPE changes the way industrial networks are built
and improves the overall automation efficiency by using Ethernet in traditional “non-Ethernet” parts of the industrial network. SPE can be used in a wide array of devices and applications, including sensor/actuators, I/O modules, robotics and machinery, elevators, and buildings. SPE is standardised in IEEE 802.3 and IEC standards, supporting data rates from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
SPE technology SPE is an emerging communication standard that offers numerous benefits over traditional Ethernet connections, fieldbus, and/or serial connections for factory, process, and building automation. SPE was first widely used for multimedia sensors in the automotive industry, where high production volumes made it a good place to implement the new technology. It is now increasingly used in other industrial applications,
where it can help improve efficiency, provide greater control over the production environment at the plant level or even for multiple plants, and bring intelligence to every layer of a network. SPE provides IP/Ethernet communication down to the lowest automation level, offering a full transparent network from sensor/actuator to the cloud.
Benefits of SPE Compared to existing and legacy Ethernet protocols, the benefits of SPE technology include: • Reduced weight thanks to decreased wiring requirements. • Simplified wiring schemes, enabling faster adoption of IIoT as well as easier installation in a facility.
• Ability to have an Ethernet network through a plant or facility. When considering the return on investment (ROI) of SPE,
keep in mind that savings are not limited to the connector side of the system. Overall plant efficiency can also be improved, which can deliver greater savings and ROI. In many cases, SPE adoption in industrial applications is
a logical migration. Tis is because different industries have varying preferences for connectivity solutions. In the case of industrial applications, M8 and M12 are the preferred connectivity types. Tese are the same technologies used by industrial-based SPE solutions — making it easier for operations to convert to SPE.
Understanding SPE Not every industrial application is suited for SPE, so it is important to understand the pros and cons of adopting SPE as well as the standards of this technology. In the next article of this series, get more information about SPE industry standards.
Note: Tis article is the first installment of a six-part series that will also include the following information: SPE industry standards; what is necessary to implement SPE technology; answers to common questions about SPE; different types of SPE integration (brownfield vs. greenfield); and available solutions and components when implementing SPE.
To learn more about SPE infrastructure solutions offered by TE Connectivity, visit:
https://www.te.com/en/
home.html
42 October 2024
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
