The Industrial Ethernet is a broad term for the use of standard Ethernet networking technology in industrial environments for automation and control applications. While it utilizes the same physical hardware as office Ethernet (cables, switches, network cards), it incorporates specialized protocols on top of TCP/IP to meet the unique and demanding requirements of the factory floor.
The key enhancements provided by Industrial Ethernet protocols include determinism, real-time performance, and ruggedness. Determinism is the ability to guarantee that a message will be delivered within a specific, predictable time frame, which is critical for synchronized machine control. Standard Ethernet is non-deterministic by nature, but industrial protocols like PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT use various techniques to achieve this. Real-time performance ensures the network can handle high-speed I/O data with very low latency. Furthermore, Industrial Ethernet components are often physically hardened to withstand the harsh conditions of a factory, including extreme temperatures, vibration, and electrical noise.
There are several competing Industrial Ethernet standards, each with different strengths. Examples include PROFINET (promoted by Siemens), EtherNet/IP (managed by ODVA), and EtherCAT (from Beckhoff). When a programmable power supply is equipped with an Industrial Ethernet interface (e.g., PROFINET), it can be directly integrated as a peer device in a modern, high-performance automation system controlled by a PLC.
Examples of Industrial Ethernet include the following.
EtherNet/IP
EtherCAT
PROFINET
ModbusTCP