Process manufacturing grew more and more complex, as well as more and more digital. Engineers needed better ways to communicate with field devices and instrumentation from control and operator stations. “We need a fieldbus,” they said.
Unfortunately, they didn’t get a fieldbus; they got many. There were angry magazine articles and resignations and recriminations as standards organizations didn’t approve one fieldbus for process applications. Every company through its proxy association wanted its technology recognized as a standard. And that is what happened. We had many standards.
Imagine my bemusement when after rearranging my schedule a bit to attend a 7 am (for me, 2 pm in Germany) press conference only to see the leaders of FieldComm, ODVA, and Profibus/Profinet International along with the leader of the OPC Foundation together discussing how this new Ethernet for Process manufacturing—Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer or Ethernet-APL—was the culmination of their work.
One physical network. The differing protocols? Well, heaven is still in the future, I guess.
Actually, this new network does solve many problems, bringing 10 Mbs Ethernet in standard cable and connector being intrinsically safe to the market. This is an example of collaborative work on a standard bringing great benefit to users.,
Following is today’s press release:
The numerous barriers to deploying high-speed Ethernet enabled instrumentation in hazardous process automation facilities are now resolved with the introduction of Ethernet-APL technology. Ethernet-APL is the new two-wire, intrinsically-safe physical layer suitable for use in demanding process automation applications. Ethernet-APL’s benefits include dramatically improved communication speed, hazardous area reach, power to field instrumentation, and long cable runs. Leading standards development organizations FieldComm Group, ODVA, OPC Foundation, and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI), as well as 12 major industrial project partners, have worked together successfully over the past three years under “The APL Project” to create this new physical layer solution for field instrumentation. With the release of the specifications, engineering guidelines, and conformance test plans by The APL Project, end users can now expect components from leading suppliers, with first products now available from select vendors.
Ethernet-APL is an extension of the specification for Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) based on 10BASET-1L, which can support every higher-order Ethernet communication protocol. By making adjustments to the physical layer, the requirements necessary for reliable operation in process-related plants are satisfied. The principal requirements are high-speed Ethernet based communications, operation in potentially explosive areas, and an ability to install long cable lengths of up to 1,000 meters. The electrical parameters that an Ethernet-APL device must meet to ensure “intrinsically safe” ignition protection are defined in the technical specification of the IEC TS 60079-47 (2-WISE or 2-Wire Intrinsically Safe Ethernet).
The APL Project to bring Ethernet to the field has been underway for several years, and it is with much excitement and anticipation that this initial technology launch is announced. “We are very pleased to release the carefully crafted technology specifications and engineering guidelines to enable Ethernet-APL technology to start to transform the field of process plants,” commented Dr. Jörg Hähniche, Chair of the APL Steering Committee. “The high level of cooperation across multiple standards development and vendor organizations within the APL Project has resulted in one future oriented Ethernet physical layer for process automation. This technology launch is a key progress marker, and the development journey will continue now with products in the pipeline from significant industry partners.”
The APL Project has defined port profiles to create the Ethernet-APL concept for multiple power levels with and without explosion hazardous area protection. Ethernet-APL port profiles, including electrical power classes, shield connection options, and segment lengths, have been finalized. Markings on devices and instrumentation will indicate power level and function as sourcing or sinking. This will provide a simple framework for interoperability from engineering to operation and maintenance. Engineering guidelines and best practices for planning and installation are also now complete and available in an engineering directive document that will support users when designing and commissioning networks utilizing Ethernet-APL. This facilitates an easy transfer of knowledge for a smooth adoption of Ethernet-APL. Standard Ethernet diagnostic tools will assist new or seasoned instrument techs and engineers in their daily work, providing for a shallow learning curve.
As a single physical layer, Ethernet-APL will be able to support EtherNet/IP, HART-IP, OPC UA, PROFINET, or any other higher-level network protocol. Activities are underway to finalize conformance testing at the leading standards development organizations that are a part of the APL Project. The test specifications now published will assure the quality of products and verify that a product complies with the parameters defined in the APL port profiles specification. The APL Project team has also cooperated with semiconductor manufacturers who will offer 10BASE-T1L Phys for Ethernet-APL on the market. Additionally, the 12 APL Project industry partners are finalizing development of products that will be available in the marketplace soon. The multivendor demonstration in Karlsruhe, Germany – displayed digitally during ACHEMA Pulse showing participation across different product vendors and networks – highlights the multiple options and interoperability that Ethernet-APL will offer end users.
With the launch of Ethernet-APL, users can now anticipate a single Ethernet physical layer that can enable long cable reach, intrinsic safety, and application-level protocol support for maximum productivity and output. Products will be available in the market soon with conformance testing certification. Users can learn more about Ethernet-APL by visiting ethernet-apl.org and downloading the “Ethernet to the Field” white paper.
About FieldComm Group
FieldComm Group is a global standards-based organization consisting of leading process end users, manufacturers, universities and research organizations that work together to direct the development, incorporation and implementation of new and overlapping technologies and serves as the source for FDI technology. FieldComm Group’s mission is to develop, manage and promote global standards for integrating digital devices into automation system architectures while protecting process-automation investments in HART and FOUNDATION Fieldbus communication technologies. Membership is open to anyone interested in the use of the technologies.
About ODVA
About the OPC Foundation:
Since 1996, the OPC Foundation has facilitated the development and adoption of the OPC information exchange standards. As both advocate and custodian of these specifications, the Foundation’s mission is to help industry vendors, end-users, and software developers maintain interoperability in their manufacturing and automation assets. The OPC Foundation is dedicated to providing the best specifications, technology, process, and certification to achieve multivendor, multiplatform, secure, reliable, interoperability for moving data and information from the embedded world to the enterprise cloud. The Foundation serves over 815 members worldwide in the Industrial Automation, IT, IoT, IIoT, M2M, Industrie 4.0, Building Automation, machine tools, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and Smart Energy sectors.
About PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI)
PI is a wide spread automation community in the world represented by 25 different Regional PI Associations and is responsible PROFIBUS and PROFINET, the two leading industrial communications protocols covering all industries. The common interest of PI’s global network of vendors, developers, system integrators and end users lies in promoting, supporting and using PROFIBUS and PROFINET. Regionally and globally over 1,500 member companies are working closely together around the world to the best automation possible. The organization’s global influence and reach is unmatched in the world of automation.
