Internet-connected devices with advanced sensor and control features are becoming increasingly common in industrial applications. The rise of the industrial internet of things (IIoT) is being driven by the availability of more capable wired and wireless connectivity technologies and the need for manufacturers to enhance efficiency, reliability, and productivity through automation. The results of these trends are increased focus of edge computing and more advanced sensor/control technologies integrated into industrial processes. Realizing a dramatic increase in density of connected devices naturally results in the increase in interconnect. Though industrial wireless networks can offset some of the interconnect challenges, industrial wireless networks generally need some type of physical connection, and wireless is not serviceable in all industrial environments.
Faster Speeds and PoDL with Single-Pair Ethernet
A recent industry-driven innovation in industrial communication is an advancement of Ethernet connectivity for demanding applications. Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) is a two-way conducted communication at data speeds reaching 1 Gb/s over short distances while offering power over data line (PoDL) in the same compact interface. This new interconnect technology is a leap forward for control, data acquisition, and cloud connectivity for factory, IIoT, robotics, building, agriculture, and other industrial automation use cases.
Below we discuss some of the main traits, benefits, and applications of SPE.
Enhanced Analytics, Faster Error Response
The main driver for single-pair Ethernet technology is the demand these applications have generated for robust and efficient bidirectional communication that can enable real-time and secure device-to-infrastructure and device-to-cloud connectivity. Hence, SPE delivers on all of these requirements to enable enhanced analytics and faster error response in a low-profile, cost-effective, and easy-to-install system. Where traditional Ethernet requires four twisted pairs of wires to reach 1 Gb/s speeds, SPE can deliver 1 Gb/s to a range of 40 meters while offering PoDL with a single twisted pair of wires. These speeds are possible with a single twisted pair as SPE uses 600 MHz of bandwidth for data communication where each industrial Ethernet twisted pair uses only 100 MHz.
No Need for Separate Power Supply
Furthermore, PoDL eliminates the needs for a separate power supply at the connected device or additional wiring and the inefficiency of long-range power transmission. The current standard of PoDL delivers a maximum of 50 watts to 40 meters with a standard SPE cable and connector. However, there are single-pair Ethernet cables with M8 connectors that include additional 18 AWG power conductors that can provide up to 400 watts at 60 volts to 40 meters. The data pair in these SPE cables can be further shielded from the power conductors, and additional external shielding is possible to limit any powerline noise on the data signal path.
Applications for SPE
Though changing over entire connectivity solutions in an industrial facility to SPE may not be viable in some situations, there are many industrial applications that will benefit from the compactness, low weight, and high transfer speeds of SPE. New automotive, transportation, railway, and even aerospace systems are a potential market for SPE where the size, weight, and reliability of traditional interconnect solutions are coming at odds with new applications requiring smaller, lower weight, and faster communication links. For instance, an SPE connector is about 20% of the volume of an RJ-45 connector.
Other applications, such as building automation, where many small, distributed sensors are placed throughout a large and complex facility, may be well served by SPE, even over wireless solutions. The reason for this is that wireless solutions still require some type of power source, which may increase the cost and complexity of deploying wireless sensor nodes and result in reduced reliability and much lower data rates.
SPE In Stock Now
L-com’s single-pair Ethernet bulk cable is in stock now and available for immediate shipment, as are the vast majority of our industrial connectivity products. All orders on in-stock products placed before 6 p.m. CST weekdays will ship the same day. Need help deciding on the right SPE cable for your application? Connect with one of our L-com technical experts now. Call us toll-free at +1 (866) 506-2818, chat with us live, or email us at sales@l-com.com.
