by Gary Mintchell | Aug 12, 2025 | Networking
I received this item from Endress+Hauser regarding Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL). Companies have been working on this standard for some time. Appears to be ready for prime time according to this testing.
Ethernet-APL has moved beyond readiness. The instrumentation manufacturer Endress+Hauser successfully conducted another set of load tests of a realistic PROFINET over Ethernet-APL setup. Two years after the last successful multi-vendor tests, the technology has proven its strength again in a realistic simulation.
The load tests were tailored to meet customer-specific requirements, demonstrating that components from various manufacturers can seamlessly work together to build a robust and reliable system based on PROFINET over Ethernet-APL. Requirements were defined from the end-user perspective by the global chemical company BASF. On the supplier side, devices from Endress+Hauser, Pepperl+Fuchs, R. Stahl, Phoenix Contact, and Samson were integrated into an Emerson control system and their interoperability was confirmed.
Ethernet-APL proves consistently high performance
Two years after the first set of successful tests with other automation systems, Emerson DeltaV was in scope of the mass load test with nearly 240 Endress+Hauser measuring devices, including flow, pressure, temperature and level sensors, as well as positioners from Samson. They were tested in a ring topology consisting of Ethernet-APL field switches from Pepperl+Fuchs, Phoenix Contact and R. Stahl. Emerson provided the control system DeltaV DCS including PROFINET System Redundancy (S2) support as well as the AMS Device Manager System.
The results spoke for themselves: Ethernet-APL performs reliably under full-scale conditions. The test scenarios on a network with the maximum number of devices successfully verified both, performance and reliability with the Pepperl+Fuchs switches. Key performance metrics – such as total net load and redundancy switchover times – met and even surpassed the required standards.
The field switches from Phoenix Contact were subsequently subjected to similar tests and were able to demonstrate their performance. The pre-series switches from R. Stahl were tested as well and based on the valuable results, the optimized devices will be now available for the market launch.
Gerd Niedermayer, Senior Expert Emerging Automation Technologies at BASF extends his gratitude: “Thank you to Endress+Hauser for the opportunity to conduct the scalability tests with our PROFINET-APL partners. With the help of their digital field devices, we are able to optimize diverse topics centering around engineering, commissioning and lifecycle in BASF plants and save CAPEX and OPEX costs.”
A technology with a bright future ahead
“With the success of the recent scalability test, the cooperating companies have again proven that the multi-vendor infrastructure is open, future-proof and ready for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)”, emphasizes Harald Müller, technical lead of Ethernet-APL and director technology at Endress+Hauser Temperature+System Products. This gives planners and end users further evidence that Ethernet-APL is an enabler to create more flexible, efficient and cost-effective industrial automation systems, leveraging the full scale of benefits through digitalization.
Karl Büttner, expert product manager system integration and marketing lead of Ethernet-APL at Endress+Hauser Flow, is proud and excited about the proven success of this technology: “Since 2023 we provide instrumentation for Ethernet-APL projects worldwide. Endress+Hauser is pleased with the successful launch of the technology, which helps our customers to digitalize their process plants.”
Endress+Hauser’s PROFINET support for Netilion is an additional step to support the Ethernet-based communication. It ensures remote access for example to process values and health diagnostics for all native and PROFINET-APL devices, ensuring high plant availability.
Ethernet-APL, already backed by a wide ecosystem, sees even more devices and manufacturers coming on board. The high market demand and worldwide successful implementations in the first medium-sized and large projects prove that Ethernet-based field communication in process automation has a bright future.
by Gary Mintchell | Aug 7, 2025 | Networking, Wireless
I told Mehmet Yavuz, co-founder and CTO of Celona, that my contacts on LinkedIn had been discussing how 5G private networks had been a non-starter. And he was supposed to explain to me the benefits of a new private 5G solution.
He did.
The Celona solution, in brief, eliminates the cost and complexity of a cellular server-based private network. The Celona solution is an access point, similar to your WiFi access point, that plugs into the existing network switch. Think—5G field devices—>access point—>separate carrier from data—>data flows through existing network through a switch.
I like the idea. Since I can’t play with it, I can’t vouch for things like reliability. But to me a slimmer network approach should yield better performance.
From the press release:
Breakthrough architecture eliminates deployment complexity—without compromising security, performance or control
Yavuz explained that the company leadership came from a mix of cellular and industrial networking backgrounds. That shows in the structure of the solution.
Celona announced the launch and immediate availability of AerFlex—the industry’s first cloud-controlled, access point (AP)-only private 5G solution. Purpose-built to simplify and accelerate enterprise adoption, AerFlex eliminates the need for on-site servers and complex integrations, making it dramatically easier and more cost-effective to deploy high-performance, secure wireless networks. With Celona AerFlex, enterprises of all sizes can now leverage private 5G to unlock the full potential of industrial intelligence—empowering advanced automation, real-time decision-making and physical AI use cases.
No press release these days can avoid mentioning AI.
As AI-driven operations gain momentum across industrial sectors, the demand for reliable, high-performance wireless connectivity is accelerating. Private 5G is rapidly emerging as the preferred solution in environments such as refineries, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and mining operations—where traditional Wi-Fi often falls short.
With its game-changing architecture and cloud-native design, Celona AerFlex is the ideal foundation for industrial AI. By combining simplicity, speed and security in a fully integrated platform, AerFlex sets a new standard for enterprise connectivity—enabling faster deployments, lower total cost of ownership and unmatched operational agility.
Beta customer testamonial.
Celona beta customer Cargill, a global leader in food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services, is testing Celona AerFlex to connect 20 satellite offices with its warehousing operations to streamline manufacturing processes, improve supply chain efficiency and automate forklifts used on its warehouse floor.
“Cargill operates over a thousand locations worldwide, many in remote or space-constrained environments where traditional infrastructure just doesn’t work,” said Robert Greiner, Director Platform Engineering for Customer, Commercial & Business Operations Digital Technology at Cargill. “Celona AerFlex gives us a secure, scalable private 5G solution that supports the growing role of AI and automation across our operations. Its innovative design and cloud-based management simplify deployment by eliminating the need for dedicated IT personnel at each location.”
Celona AerFlex is redefining private 5G by eliminating the complexity of traditional deployments. With an AP-only architecture, secure local data breakout, and cloud-based orchestration, AerFlex enables rapid rollouts—often in hours, not weeks. With its cloud-based control, AerFlex delivers centralized orchestration, built-in resiliency and scalability.
Unlike legacy telco solutions that retrofit complex infrastructure for enterprise use—or fragmented small cell systems that require multi-vendor integration—Celona AerFlex introduces a fundamentally different approach. By intelligently splitting network functions between Celona access points and the cloud and leveraging CelonaOS—the industry’s only unified private 5G operating system—AerFlex delivers seamless integration across radio, core and AI-powered management.
“Celona AerFlex marks a major leap forward in making private 5G truly accessible and operationally efficient for enterprises of all sizes,” said Rajeev Shah, CEO and co-founder of Celona. “By combining innovation with radical simplicity, we’re removing the traditional barriers to private 5G adoption—enabling more organizations to harness its performance, reliability, and security at a time when AI is transforming every industry.”
by Gary Mintchell | Jul 11, 2025 | Networking, News
Up at my usual 5:30 am this morning. In place of my usual routine, I joined a Microsoft Teams conference at 6:00 (1300 CEST) for the announcement of two network associations from Germany, each promoting Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), have joined forces for joint marketing, PR, and most likely development.
Several of the major fieldbus associations joined forces recently as companies looked at the costs of overlap. This one appears to be a group begun by HARTING, TE Connectivity, HIROSE, Würth Elektronik, Bizlink, MURR Elektronik and Softing called SPE Industrial Partner Network and one headed by Phoenix Contact, Weidmüller, Sick called Single Pair Ethernet System Alliance.
The groups have been working separately for about six years for the development and promotion of SPE technology.
The SPE Industrial Partner Network e.V. and the Single Pair Ethernet System Alliance e.V., consisting of numerous well-known industrial companies, have been committed to the dissemination and further development of SPE since their inception. Until now, they have operated independently with their own members, working groups and areas of focus. With the growing awareness and relevance of SPE in the market, the networks have come closer together since the Hannover Messe 2025 and now plan to coordinate their activities in the future.
The aim is to bring the strengths and combined expertise of both networks even more effectively to bear in the market and to further accelerate the spread of SPE. The first joint activities are already planned for 2025: both networks will be represented with a joint stand at SPS Atlanta 2025 – Smart Production Solutions USA from 16 to 18 September. Both networks will also play a key role in shaping the SPE Forum on 22–23 October in Ludwigsburg, Germany, with coordinated presentations. The year will conclude with a joint exhibition stand at SPS – Smart Production Solutions from 25–27 November 2025 in Nuremberg.
Both networks have been committed to the development of international standards for SPE since the beginning. Together, they support the SPE connector standard IEC 63171-7 and are consistently driving forward its expansion to include a uniform IP20 SPE mating profile. This standard forms a connecting element for the world of automation and creates a uniform basis for future-proof industrial communication. Other existing connector solutions and the associated international standards remain unaffected and continue to be valid for the numerous fields of application of SPE.
A central focus of the collaboration is the further internationalisation of Single Pair Ethernet. The aim is to make the advantages of SPE visible worldwide and to give users around the globe access to a powerful, efficient and future-oriented network technology.
The numerous member companies of both networks are pooling their extensive expertise and innovative strength to create a strong and sustainable SPE ecosystem. This will enable users worldwide to benefit from practical solutions that pave the way for digitalisation.
by Gary Mintchell | Jun 16, 2025 | Networking
Digi International had been one of two primary sources of serial-to-Ethernet converters. Then they went dark for years. They’ve returned to the public lately with a number of press releases. This one continues industry trends of enabling remote workers and security.
Digi International announced the launch of a full-suite solution for industrial infrastructure management, combining the new Digi Axess mobile app with the Digi Axess VPN Service for 24/7 secure industrial infrastructure access.
Designed specifically for field teams in industries such as oil and gas, water, wastewater, and irrigation, the Digi Axess mobile app enables instant oversight and rapid response, all from a mobile device.
- Instant configuration: Adjust sensors in seconds
- Instant alerts: Respond fast
- Mobile troubleshooting: Fix issues on the go
- Enterprise-grade security: Stay protected
- Always-on access: No more desktop dependence
The Digi Axess VPN service offers secure, scalable connectivity without reliance on public static IPs. Optimized support for the Digi Z45 Industrial Controller — minimizing risk and maximizing uptime.
- No public static IPs: Reduced cybersecurity exposure
- VPN tunnel failover: Stay connected
- Scalable + cost-effective: Deploy remotely with ease
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 9, 2025 | Networking
My memories of Digi International focus on it as one of two companies over time who emphasized technologies to link older analog and serial connectivity to modern networks. They may have an expanded portfolio over these many years, but they still return to their roots.
This announcement is called, “redefining the future of serial device management and connectivity.” OK, that is bold, but they are announcing an upgraded Digi Navigator for streamlined device configuration and the introduction of Digi Connect EZ with Power over Ethernet (PoE) — a way to simplify networked serial communications.
Digi Navigator has been redesigned to be faster, smarter, and more powerful. The latest Digi Navigator update brings intelligent automation, broader device compatibility, and enhanced security, empowering IT teams to deploy and manage both modern and legacy Digi hardware with ease.
New features of Digi Navigator include:
- Fast setup — Automatic device detection and intelligent prompts guide driver installation and configuration, eliminating guesswork and accelerating deployment.
- Seamless compatibility — Supports both the latest Digi Connect EZ models and legacy Digi hardware, ensuring streamlined management across all infrastructure.
- Enhanced security and control — Simplified security settings help IT teams manage authentication, access, and protection — without added complexity.
- Smarter backup and restore — Save, edit, and reapply configurations to quickly replicate setups, ensure consistency, and restore Navigator to a known state for improved auditing and rapid recovery.
For IT teams looking to simplify deployments and reduce infrastructure costs, the new Digi Connect EZ with PoE offers these features:
- Power + data over one cable — This eliminates the need for separate power adapters. PoE technology simplifies installations, especially in hard-to-reach locations and remote deployments.
- Dual Ethernet ports for maximum flexibility — Supports failover redundancy or pass-through networking, giving IT teams greater control over network reliability.
- Robust connectivity options — Features four RS-232/422/485 serial connections, dual Ethernet, and built-in Wi-Fi for seamless integration across multiple network environments.
- LTE-ready for ultimate mobility — Fully compatible with Digi CORE plug-in LTE modems, allowing for flexible cellular connectivity when needed.
- Enterprise-grade security — Built-in Digi TrustFence provides authentication, secure connections, and ongoing monitoring to support cyber threat protection.
- Click-to-connect simplicity — Configurable in minutes and booting up in seconds, Digi Connect EZ with PoE supports rapid network expansion.
- Protocol support for industrial applications — With support for industry-standard protocols like Modbus, the Digi Connect EZ family is built for robotics, automation, and industrial equipment that requires seamless serial-to-network communication.
Both products are available now.
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 1, 2025 | Networking, Technology
Some final thoughts from the ODVA meetings in March in Florida. I’ve been thinking for some time about complexity. Sometimes we get into the weeds with our technologies, building routine atop routines, solving a multitude of problems through creating others.
The thinking began with considering my reporting from the March 2022 ODVA meetings.
Paul Maurath, Technical Director—Process Automation from Procter & Gamble’s Central Engineering, presented the user’s view of automation. I will dispense with suspense. His conclusion, ”Help us manage complexity.”
Maurath told the story of setting up a test process cell in the lab. They used it to test and demonstrate Ethernet APL devices and the network. They discovered that APL worked, the controller didn’t see any issues. The discouraging discovery was the amount of configuration required and the complexity of setup. He referred to an E&I technician working the shift on a Sunday morning at 3 am. Call comes in. Device is down. With a regular HART / 4-20 mA device, the tech has the tools. But with an Ethernet device configuration can be a problem.
Conclusion:
- There is a need for new technology to deliver functionality and simplicity
- Standards are great
- Please keep end users in mind when developing standards and technology
A paper presented this year by Paul Brooks, Rockwell Automation, Wolfgang Hoeferlin, Endress+Hauser, Sean Vincent, FieldComm Group, and Joakim Wiberg, ODVA discussed the complexities and difficulties following the acquisition of FDT technology by FieldComm Group (FCG). They noted the industrial automation community has the opportunity to enhance our technologies to allow a single device integration standard to be used through discrete, hybrid and process automation disciplines. Double work on business logic and user interface for a device across different technologies and for use in different applications can be eliminated.
In this paper we outline the use cases that FCG – together with ODVA, PNO and OPC Foundation – wish to address. We will look at some of the initial technical assumptions that allow this work to dovetail into device description improvements already underway within ODVA. We will discuss the framework that will allow ODVA members to contribute to and benefit from this work.
Disclaimer: I have not written a line of code in years. As they discussed the details of configuring and programming and data amongst all these technologies, I was impressed by the complexity and the difficulty of the work.
Another end user paper was presented by former GM engineer Gary Workman laying out reasons for some specification changes to define a control network in EtherNet/IP. Similar to the talk by Maurath above, he began with a discussion of the complexity of installing and implementing not individual EtherNet/IP devices instead looking at the network as a whole. He pointed to the problems of electricians and maintenance workers working with a network. His ask was whether ODVA could consider adding guidance for implementing an entire EtherNet/IP control network to help workers on the factory floor.
Most of these meetings discuss the basic technologies and extensions of the product. Whether agreeable or not, the point of view of the end user always serves as a call to step back and consider the problem from their point of view. (Maybe a third of my career was product development—considering the user’s need while developing a product. I sympathize.)
Back to Maurath—complexity is a friction point to the application of technology. It should be the task of the technology provider to remove as much friction as possible.
