Organisations cooperate to promote developments for Industrial Ethernet

Their briefing explained industry activities and the projected timeline to realize an advanced physical layer for Industrial Ethernet - as intrinsically safe, single-pair and long-reach - for use with process automation field devices. The organizations were joined by representative from suppliers of process instrumentation and controls in order to provide a well-rounded perspective on the benefits of an advanced physical layer for end users in the process industries, as well as discuss the actions being taken to complete the work needed to realize APL in process field devices.

The organisations, in combination with process automation and instrumentation suppliers, are seeking to leverage the work currently underway in the IEEE 802.3cg Task Force, which is developing amendments to the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard for an Ethernet physical layer operating at 10 Mb/s over single-pair cable with power delivery, and additional developments being done by the suppliers to define the requirements and develop the necessary technology to achieve an Industrial Ethernet suitable for use in hazardous locations up to Zone 0, Division 1.
 
Together, the organisations and suppliers have formed a steering committee to coordinate the overall work effort to achieve and promote an advanced physical layer for EtherNet/IP, HART-IP and PROFINET. Dr Jörg Hähniche, chairperson of the steering committee and employee of Endress+Hauser, Mr Stefan Lüder, project manager for the advanced physical layer activity and employee of Siemens, Mr Ted Masters, president of the organization FieldComm Group, Ms Katherine Voss, president of the organisation ODVA, and Mr Karsten Schneider, chairman of the organization PI, shared in delivering the update.