Strong together: SPE System Alliance

SPE applications offer enormous potential for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). To further advance the implementation of SPE in the industrial sector, leading technology companies from various industries and application areas have joined forces to form the SPE System Alliance. The Multimedia Solutions BU (MMS) is also a member of the open alliance, in which the partners bundle SPE know-how, use synergies and exchange information in a goal-oriented manner.

The main initiators of the technology partnership are Phoenix Contact, Weidmüller, Reichle & De Massari (R&M), Fluke Networks and Telegärtner. In addition to MMS, Dätwyler, Kyland, Microchip Technology, Rosenberger, Sick, O-Ring and University4Industry have joined the alliance. The aim of the companies is to accelerate the development of their own know-how for SPE technology and thus enable faster and more reliable implementation in their products. The focus is not on individual aspects such as connection technology, but on questions and challenges that still exist for many market participants in connection with SPE. Regular exchange formats and joint project activities offer scope for close cooperation. The members are already working together in initial working groups, among others in the areas of connection technology, standardisation, SPE use case description or also for cable solutions.

SPE in the automotive sector
Ethernet systems are increasingly being installed in today's vehicle generations. By networking ECUs and sensors, further innovations can be realised in the areas of driver assistance systems, such as LiDAR, high-resolution displays, autonomous driving, 4K cameras and infotainment. The development of automotive Ethernet has led to two IEEE standards: 100BASE-T1 (100 Mbit/s based on BroadR-Reach technology) and 1000BASE-T1 (1 Gbit/s). Based on the requirements for the overall channel, limit values for the connectors and cables as well as associated measurement methods were defined. The partner company Rosenberger played a leading role in the standardisation in both committees in the areas of automotive connector design, signal integrity and EMC.

SPE for Building Automation
Smart buildings and factories can be realised more easily and cheaply thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT). The IP protocol, for example, connects devices to the building management system via the local data network and the cloud and replaces application-specific fieldbus systems and thus also gateways, complex interfaces and different protocols. With structured ceiling cabling (digital ceiling), intelligent building automation can be seamlessly unified via IP, simplifying installation, maintenance and network management. SPE is seen as an ideal complement to structured ceiling cabling. Existing cabling can easily be extended with SPE to achieve a higher connection density for devices. High data rates are usually not required, but a high connection density is. R&M and Telegärtner offer solutions for structured ceiling cabling and can demonstrate how SPE can be integrated into such a solution.

SPE in passive industrial cabling
SPE offers end-to-end IP communication from the field to the enterprise level and thus from the sensor to the cloud. As an alternative to today's fieldbuses, the technology will revolutionise industrial data transmission. Standardised plug-in faces form the basis for barrier-free networking of different components and devices. Phoenix Contact, Weidmüller, R&M, Rosenberger and Telegärtner are developing compact device and cable connectors according to the standardised and fully compatible IEC 63171-2 (IP20) and 63171-5 (IP67) interfaces. The mating face can be integrated into all commercially available and standardised connector variants (M8/M12) and allows efficient and future-proof cabling thanks to high packing density and low space requirements.

SPE in sensor technology
Sensors are increasingly being integrated into IIoT applications as intelligent data suppliers via Ethernet networks. This means that even smaller and compact sensors can be connected to Ethernet networks. Another advantage: the combination of SPE with the power feed via the data lines makes additional plug connections for power supply unnecessary. The use of SPE as a standard interface also enables device manufacturers to offer a lean device portfolio with fewer variants. Sensors in machines or systems can be wired more easily and reduce installation work for the user.

SPE cables and wires
In the application areas of SPE, the transmission channels are created from different cables and a different number of connectors. While the transmission channels with the transmission parameters such as bandwidth, attenuation, return loss and shielding effectiveness are specified in the system standards (e.g. ISO/IEC 11801 series of standards), connectors and cables must be adapted to the respective channel. One advantage of SPE is the simultaneous transmission of signals and power on the 1-pair cable, for example from the switch to the sensor. Known as PoE in building cabling, with SPE the 1-pair line is called PoDL (Power over Data Line). Adapted to the cross-sections and channel lengths, PoDL can transmit power of up to approx. 15W. Requirements for mechanical, chemical, thermal, fire and electromagnetic resistance result from the different environmental conditions in industry and in buildings. Daetwyler and MMS of the Prysmian Group are the system partners who contribute their experience here.

Online education for SPE
Ethernet in general and SPE in particular play a central role in establishing the Industrial Internet of Things. When introducing such technology, the training needs of employees should be taken into account. This is also a topic area in the SPE System Alliance.