Tag Archives: ethernet

Less is More – Single Pair Ethernet

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Ethernet has come a long way. First developed in the 1980s, Ethernet has progressed so much over the past years. Modern day industrial Ethernet has become one of the main communication technologies in Automation. Being able to be transferred via copper cabling, fiber optics and even without any cable (Wireless), Ethernet protocol provides a strong foundation for customization, opening endless possibilities for new applications.

While the requirements for Ethernet continue to increase, governed by the ever-higher performance categories (Cat7, even Cat8), new standards for lower data transmission rate also emerge – Single Pair Ethernet.

Initially used in automotive industry, the Reduced Twisted Pair Ethernet helped streamline and reduce cabling cost and effort. It also reduces the weight of the vehicle which in turn improves its fuel consumption.

Besides reducing cabling cost and effort, this opens up the possibility of data transmission via copper cabling over a much longer distance, for example 1,000 m. This makes many applications that were previously unachievable with Industrial Ethernet, attainable with Single Pair Ethernet. Besides an additional data rate of 1 Gpbs over a longer distance, SPE allows Power-over-Ethernet of up to 60 Watts. Of course, that alone is not enough. Data connectors to be used with Single Pair Ethernet have to comply with high requirements such as high shock and vibration resistance for the industries such as Process Automation.

Stay tuned for more updates on Single Pair Ethernet, or get in touch with us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg to find out more!

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Process Infrastructure – Ethernet HART Multiplexer

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Process infrastructure is one of the most critical parts of a refinery plant or offshore platform. The topology of modern process infrastructure includes FOUNDATION Fieldbus, Profibus PA, WirelessHart and HART Multiplexer etc.

HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) is the most broadly supported protocol in the world for process industry as there are 40 Million HART devices being installed worldwide. But according to records, only 10% of these HART devices are connect to HART compatible control systems. End user should expand the use of HART devices in order to perform specialized operations like:

  • Asset Management
  • Predictive Maintenance
  • Data Logging
  • Partial-stroke Testing

Benefits of HART

Problems of Conventional Serial HART Multiplexers:

  • Slow scanning time due to large quantities of I/Os in the network
  • Limitation of RS485’s transmission speed
  • Work based on “Master and Slave” principle

Above are some of the challenges faced when using a conventional RS485 Hart Multiplexer and they will become worse if there are more than 1000 devices. Ethernet Multiplexer can solve this problem as featured below.

Fig 1: Ethernet Hart Multiplexer

Fig 1: Ethernet Hart Multiplexer

Ethernet Multiplexer Features and Benefits:

  • Works with existing standard IP infrastructure
  • Supports higher communication speed up to 1GB/s
  • Easy integration into Ethernet based Host system without additional conversion
  • Provides faster start up and device configuration
  • Flexibility in network design like redundant Ethernet

Fig 2: Hart IP Network Overview

Fig 2: Hart IP Network Overview

If you need any technical advice on your current project, feel free to contact us. I believe we can be your trusted partner to provide suitable solutions to fit your applications!

Phoenix Contact Bluetooth

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Wireless connectivity replacing rotary slip ring technology

The Rotary Slip Ring is the oldest technology used to transfer power and signals between stationary and rotating structures/equipment. The Rotary Slip Ring allowed free rotation even when the rotating side was at high speeds. Many machines that involve rotation movement, for example in the cable, packaging, paper & tissue industries have utilized slip ring to transmit & receive power and signals.

Rotary Slip Ring is made up of stacks of several rings which are normally made from copper in the rotary side, with a carbon brush touching the ring on the fixed side. This combination allows electricity to flow between the fixed side and the rotating side.

Rotary Slip Ring technology was the only solution in the past for transferring power & signals from rotating equipment, but at the same time, it also brought about the consequences of higher maintenance effort & cost.

The carbon brushes will erode during the operation and need to be replaced regularly. Any impurities such as dust and oil on the surface of the ring will caused greater resistance or even will prevent electrical current from flowing.

Signal transmission requires a stable and constant flow of electrical current. Due to this reason, the digital signal will have a pulse effect when impurities are present and analog signal will have a voltage/current drop.

Factoryline Bluetooth EPA in combination with ILC series can become the solution to these problems. Signal transmission from the rotary slip ring can easily be retrofitted with a short implementation time. Customers can forget about maintenance and the analog & digital signal will flow seamlessly 24/7.

The Bluetooth EPA modules enable fault-free parallel operation with other WLAN systems, thanks to efficient use of frequency gaps. In addition to the automatic coexistence mechanism of Bluetooth, the EPA modules also offer the following:

  • Low emission mode: for low interference emissions when establishing connections
  • Black channel listing: allows configuration of up to three WLAN channels whose frequency ranges will not be used by the EPA module

The Ethernet port adapter is the simple solution for enabling the Bluetooth capability of industrial automation devices with Ethernet connection quickly and easily. The IP65 turnkey solution is installed directly in the field and connected to the automation device via an M12 Ethernet cable.

Your advantages:

  • Compact IP65 module with integrated antenna
  • M12 connections for Ethernet and power
  • Easy installation in the field

Axioline E – fast, robust, easy

Axioline E is the I/O system with a block design for field installation. Open to all Ethernet-based communication protocols and available in two different housing versions, Axioline E offers maximum flexibility.

The SPEEDCON fast locking system ensures quick and

easy installation, thereby minimizing assembly times. Axioline E is particularly robust when it comes to mechanical loads, EMI, and environmental influences. The M12 power connector simplifies installation thanks to the reduced number of terminal points and 2 x 12 A in just one cable.

Extend Axioline E in a distributed and flexible way in the field using IO-Link I/O boxes.

If you would like to find out more, feel free to contact us!

Ethernet HART Multiplexer – Transmit Process Data Via Ethernet

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Process plant with engineersDid you know that in the Process Industry, there are more than 40 million devices that are running on the HART Protocol and more than 75% of them are HART-enabled. However, up to 90% of these HART-enabled device are being under-utilized, used only to read the 4…20mA signal.

In the current trend of IIOT, there is a growing need for diagnostic data to be analyzed in order to reduce operating cost and increase system availability. The time from obtaining the diagnostic data to analyzing and determining the next course of action has to be almost instant.

In the past, if access to the HART data was needed, users typically installed an RS485 HART multiplexer connected to a PC. Whenever data from a particular field device is needed to be read, it can take a long time depending on the number of field devices connected to the RS485 HART multiplexer. This is because RS485 HART multiplexer works on a “master and slaves” principle.

Ethernet HART Multiplexer

HART Multiplexer

HART Multiplexer

Instead of using the RS485 HART multiplexer, Phoenix Contact introduced the Ethernet-based HART multiplexer. Our Ethernet HART multiplexer allows the user to easily parameterize and monitor field devices on the Ethernet network. The modular Ethernet HART multiplexer accesses other HART-enabled field devices using Ethernet-based fieldbuses such as PROFINET, Modbus/TCP, and HART IP.

Each device is an individual HART master which can be connected to higher-level, fast Ethernet network infrastructures. Up to 40 HART devices can be connected to existing configuration tools such as PACTware, Simatic PDM, Honeywell FDM, HART OPC server or HART server. End users therefore save time and costs since configuration and calibration, e.g. partial stroke test, process monitoring or current loop tests, are controlled via Ethernet and everything can be performed during active operation.

To find out more about Phoenix Contact’s HART Multiplexer, click here.

Extend the Life of your Investment

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Extend the life of your investment – Reuse copper cables laid for your existing legacy serial based network when you migrate to an Ethernet based network.

Migrating your serial based network to an Ethernet based networks could occur during the following situations due to obsolescence and retrofits to increase productivity

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Why use PROFINET

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Profinet logo

In today’s automation technology, Ethernet and information technology (IT) are increasingly calling the shots with established standards like TCP/IP and XML. Integrating information technology into automation opens up significantly better communication options between automation systems, extensive configuration and diagnostic possibilities, and network-wide service functionality. These functions have been integral components of PROFINET from the outset. In addition, the demand for increased productivity of machines and plants while at the same time cutting costs has always been the driving force behind innovations in industrial automation.
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