Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) - now also for the e-chain with a 4-year guarantee

Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is the key to smart industrial automation, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). For the first time, this enables standardised, space-saving and cost-effective Ethernet communication, including the "last metre" from the cloud via the switch cabinet to the machine.

Single Pair Ethernet: what is Single Pair Ethernet and how does it work?

The key to industrial automation, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
The smart factory is no longer a generic term, but a synonym for a multitude of challenges that companies are facing today. Topics such as standardisation, reliability of complex (IT) systems and mastering increasing complexity are almost unanimously cited as the greatest challenges of the fourth industrial revolution. This becomes clear, for example, when looking at the established automation pyramid. Communication and data exchange are limited - in the rarest of cases, existing Ethernet buses are suitable for use right up to the field devices. The installation space on the sensors or actuators is too small. The environmental parameters that both moving and static Ethernet cables have to fulfil during continuous use in the field are too demanding.

All that can change now: with Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), an Ethernet bus and transmission protocol is currently finding its way into the industrial landscape that not only impresses with its small dimensions, but also with its outstanding transmission properties. Both at rest and in highly dynamic applications such as in an energy chain.

Technically, Single Pair Ethernet describes the transmission of Ethernet (1000Base-T1) via just two copper wires and enables simultaneous power supply (PoDL) in addition to data transmission via Ethernet. This technological leap leads to a reduction in diameter of approx. 25% compared to a conventional Ethernet cable. This white paper provides an overview of the current development status of SPE and shows the opportunities that the new transmission technology opens up for industry thanks to the significant savings in installation space and the associated weight reduction:

View here free of charge

Who is driving the new SPE technology?

The SPE Industrial Partner Network
The Single Pair Ethernet is the infrastructure foundation that makes IIoT and Industry 4.0 possible. To promote Single Pair Ethernet technology for the rapidly growing IIoT market, igus is participating in the SPE Industrial Partner Networks with other strong partners such as HARTING and TE Connectivity.

For the reliable establishment of the entire future SPE ecosystem, standards for transmission protocols, cabling and device components are also being jointly developed and adopted and published in IEEE 802.3 and IEC SC46C.

As a result, the new cable was also designed to fit the T1 connector interface perfectly in partnership. This means that the durable shielding is reliably transferred to the connector, thereby ensuring optimum electromagnetic compatibility. The combination of chainflex cable and SPE connector is extremely robust: igus uses a highly abrasion-resistant, notch-resistant PUR jacket and the connector has robust metallic locking mechanisms with a PCB socket.

Further information on the partner network

Where does the demand for this new Ethernet technology come from?

Emergence...
Today, Ethernet is common and established as a bus system throughout the building (1), at control level (2) and up to machine control system (3). More in-depth systems down to the input level such as I/O sensors (4), measuring devices and actuators are usually connected with simple cables or field buses. As a result, intelligent utilisation in a universal bus system on a technology basis is not possible.

This situation must be changed in order to save interfaces and coupling systems and at the same time increase the evaluation of machine-relevant data. This requires an Ethernet system that fully combines the Ethernet world with the small dimensions of IO cable. This need is the origin of Single Pair Ethernet.

Further background information can be found in the technical interview with the IEE editorial team: https://www.all-electronics.de/die-steckerfrage-entscheiden-die-anwender-niemand-anderes/

... and specifications of SPE
Classic Ethernet buses usually have four pairs of cores. With SPE, secure data transmission can be realised in the smallest possible space, just like at field level. SPE can be integrated into companies' existing bus technologies, making it the most innovative transmission option currently available.

In the networked factory, for example, access times within a production process can be further reduced, even with distributed data, and data can be transferred even faster. The combination of SPE bus and connector face reduces costs while simultaneously raising the technical level and ensuring long-term use across the board thanks to connector compatibility. This is further emphasised by the design of the cabling components:

Characteristic wave impedance of 100Ω
Bandwidth of 600MHz
Fixed parameters such as attenuation, return loss and cross-talk attenuation
Full shielding to ensure transmission quality under extreme electromagnetic compatibility conditions
Two-pole plug-in connectors in small type in protection class IP20 and IP65/67

How can SPE be used now?

High service life guaranteed through extensive testing
The significantly increased transmission rate and simultaneous reduction in diameter will allow for the cost-effective connection of sensors with high data volumes in future. The user does not have to compromise on quality. The oil-resistant and flame-retardant CFBUS.PUR.042 was extensively tested in the 5,500m2 igus test laboratory. As with the entire chainflex cable range, the customer also receives a 4-year guarantee on the Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) cable.

This is therefore a real alternative to other bus systems in applications with small bend radii and small installation spaces, e.g. industrial camera applications or positioning and monitoring sensors. Such camera vision systems are primarily used for detection and positioning tasks. Previously, such sensors had to be connected in the field via bus interfaces with 4- or 8-wire Ethernet cables. With SPE, each sensor can be integrated directly into the higher-level control system.

Why our customers recommend us!

chainflex® application examples from the field

Sensors

"Our compact cameras are designed so that customers can install them easily. We pay attention to the highest quality. For lengths of 5m and more, we only use industrial bus cables from igus® to ensure flawless data transmission. The conventional cables we used before we came across chainflex® did not withstand the mechanical and electrical loads over time."

Thomas Schmidgall, Marketing Manager
IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH, Obersulm

More details on the application

Plant engineering

"At Fujitsu Siemens Computers, for example, we currently achieve a real assembly time of 1.71s per component. Plant availability is very important to us. We are an ISO-certified company and as such have to check our suppliers' quality and reliability very carefully. At some point, we started sourcing our cables from igus® - and that solved most of our problems."

Klaus Bonath, Sales Manager
IPTE Germany GmbH, Heroldsberg

More details on the application

Robotics

"Many well-known manufacturers in the automotive industry continuously use our special cleaning process with the robot sword brush, which is the heart of our technical centre. Originally, all robot cables were protected against mechanical damage at the factory. However, this did not work. We were therefore looking for a technical solution that would protect the various cables safely and permanently."

Martin Weber
Wandres GmbH, Buchenbach-Wagensteig

More details on the application