Operator Control Station Wiring With Single Pair Ethernet

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hardwire connections for operator control stations in industrial automation systems result in cumbersome cabling, increased installation costs, and latency issues, making them inefficient and error-prone.

Innovation Solution

Implementing Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) cables to connect operator control stations to the Ethernet network through gateway communication devices, reducing the number of wires and enhancing transmission speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hardwire connections are used to connect operator control stations to the Ethernet network, then reliable communication is achieved, but the cabling becomes cumbersome and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcabling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication functions and power transmission into a single SPE cable connection. The SPE cable integrates data communication and power delivery capabilities, allowing the operator control station to communicate with the Ethernet network while receiving power through the same cable, thereby eliminating the need for separate power and communication cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The SPE cable serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides Ethernet data communication, power transmission, and device identification capabilities. This multi-functional cable replaces traditional separate cables for power and communication, reducing cabling complexity while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If hardwire connections are used to connect operator control stations, then stable communication is achieved, but installation costs and product costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges power transmission and data communication into a single SPE cable infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate power cables and communication cables. This consolidation reduces the total amount of cabling required, simplifies installation procedures, and lowers both material and labor costs while maintaining stable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes SPE cables with enhanced parameters including higher power transmission capacity and improved data rates compared to traditional cables. These parameter improvements allow a single cable to perform multiple functions that previously required separate cables, reducing installation complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If traditional Ethernet cables are used to connect operator control stations, then sufficient power transmission is achieved, but the cable bundle becomes cumbersome and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidcable handling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power transmission and data communication into a single SPE cable, eliminating the need for separate power and communication cables. This single-cable solution provides sufficient power transmission capability while dramatically improving cable handling ease by reducing the number of cables that need to be routed, connected, and managed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the power transmission function from the traditional separate power cable and integrates it into the SPE data cable. This extraction and integration approach eliminates redundant cabling while maintaining adequate power transmission capabilities for the operator control station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cables are used to connect operator control stations to drives, then adequate communication channels are provided, but latency issues and error susceptibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication channel capacityVSAvoidcommunication error resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple communication functions into a single SPE cable connection that supports Ethernet protocols. This unified communication channel provides adequate bandwidth and functionality while reducing the number of physical connections, thereby minimizing points of failure and reducing latency associated with multiple cable interfaces and connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4155847B1Single pair ethernet for operator control stations
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • EP4155847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4155847B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4155847B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An operator control station of an industrial automation system includes at least one input interface to receive a user input and a communication interface to communicate with one or more devices of the industrial automation system, including a first device via an Ethernet communication protocol. The operator control station also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the communication interface. The controller performs operations including generating a signal based on the user input and the signal instructs the first device to control at least one component of the industrial automation system. The controller also performs operations including providing the signal to the communication interface for transmission to the first device via the Ethernet communication protocol.