Ethernet Reaches Down to Field Devices

 Ethernet Reaches Down to Field Devices

Networking is increasingly ubiquitous in manufacturing and everyday life. Many existing system topologies are migrated from #fieldbus-based systems to newer networking technologies. System-wide data collection, which in the most extreme case includes global data collection, enables organizations to take advantage of process and status data. #Predictive analysis, #process #modeling, for example, will be more accurate if data sets contain all relevant feature sets that describe the process. An impact of an individual machine or #sensors is often critical for large systems.

#Ethernet is currently connecting an increasing number of machines, sensors, switches, etc. The concept of #Industry40 is transforming manufacturing plants (our cars and homes). Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (#APL) is a two-wire solution that includes power delivery into the field.

Ensuring easy integration is another crucial aspect of process control involving a large amount of hardware from multiple vendors. The fact that #PROFIBUS, #PROFINET, #FieldComm, and #OPC are involved ensures compatibility with many existing systems. 

https://www.isa.org/intech-home/2021/february-2021/features/ethernet-reaches-down-to-field-devices