As process industries adopt Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 technologies, reliable Ethernet communication from field devices to higher-level systems is increasingly important. As Ethernet is adopted at the field level within process plants, EtherNet/IP continues to evolve to meet process automation requirements and to help manufacturers access and leverage valuable data to improve operations.
Industrial Ethernet in Process Applications
EtherNet/IP enables process automation devices and systems to communicate using standard Ethernet and Internet Protocol technologies. EtherNet/IP capabilities continue to expand to address the requirements of process plants while supporting existing devices, infrastructure, and industrial equipment lifecycles.
As part of this effort, EtherNet/IP has been identified by NAMUR as one of the minimum binding requirements for Ethernet communication systems in the process industries. In addition, NAMUR NE 107 Process Diagnostics have been integrated into EtherNet/IP, helping make important device diagnostic information available from device to cloud.
ODVA has also developed translation mechanisms for integrating HART and IO-Link devices into EtherNet/IP architectures. These capabilities help end users protect existing investments while gaining greater access to device data.
Bringing Process Device Data into EtherNet/IP
EtherNet/IP helps move critical process and diagnostic information from field devices to higher-level systems and the cloud. With network connectivity available for process industry FDI and FDT technologies, end users connect various devices with plant-wide infrastructure. This connectivity can support improved performance and data availability for IIoT, Industry 4.0, NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA), and Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF) applications.
ODVA also supports the PA-DIM process automation device information model specification. PA-DIM provides a protocol-independent way to represent device information, supports NAMUR Open Architecture requirements, and helps process end users make better use of device data across the plant.
Ethernet-APL for Process Automation
Ethernet-APL extends Ethernet connectivity to process field devices by supporting long-reach, two-wire Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) communications. SPE is a physical layer that brings both data and power over a single twisted wire pair, making it easier and more cost-effective to connect sensors, actuators, controllers, and other field devices to industrial Ethernet networks.
Ethernet-APL combines three key technologies:
- Single Pair Ethernet (IEEE 802.3cg-2019, 10BASE-T1L)
- 2-Wire Intrinsically Safe Ethernet (2-WISE)
- Type A fieldbus cable
Together, these technologies address key process automation requirements for long cable distances and intrinsic safety in hazardous environments.
Vendor-Neutral EDS Files
Process Device Profiles enable interchangeability for EtherNet/IP level, temperature, flow, and pressure devices across vendors. Devices that share the same profile can be replaced more easily, giving end users greater flexibility when selecting compatible process devices.
Vendor-neutral Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) files provide the device identity and configuration information needed to support EtherNet/IP cross-vendor device replacement. Register to download the vendor-neutral EDS files.
FAQs
How is EtherNet/IP used in process automation?
Process automation uses instrumentation, control systems, industrial networks, and software to monitor and control continuous or batch industrial processes. Industrial Ethernet technologies like EtherNet/IP help connect field-level process devices with control, enterprise, and cloud systems.
As companies digitalize in their journey to further optimize operations, EtherNet/IP is a well-established automation solution that is continuously enhanced to address future industry needs and advancements.
EtherNet/IP provides industrial Ethernet communication between process devices and higher-level systems. It supports access to control, diagnostic, and device information and can work with technologies including HART, IO-Link, FDI, FDT, PA-DIM, and Ethernet-APL.
What is Ethernet-APL?
Ethernet-APL is an Advanced Physical Layer for Ethernet designed for process automation. It supports long-reach, two-wire Ethernet communication, hazardous-area applications, and the potential reuse of existing Type A fieldbus cabling.
Ethernet-APL combines high-speed Ethernet communication, power, long cable distances, and intrinsic safety into a single two-wire solution. It allows process facilities to connect instruments throughout the plant, including hazardous locations, using a standard Ethernet infrastructure.
What are Process Device Profiles?
Process Device Profiles define common functionality for specific types of EtherNet/IP process devices, including level, temperature, flow, and pressure devices. They help improve device interoperability and make it easier to replace compatible devices from different vendors, giving end users confidence that devices sharing the same profile can be seamlessly swapped. Available vendor-neutral EDS files can be downloaded on the ODVA website.