Single Pair Ethernet Trunk-Drop Network for Mixed Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial automation systems face challenges in efficiently integrating analog and digital sensors and switches into their network infrastructure, limiting full system connectivity and intelligent device usage.
Innovation Solution
An industrial Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) system is introduced, featuring a linking device, sensors/actuators, and a trunk-drop infrastructure with dual-port SPE switches, enabling efficient connectivity and integration of both analog and digital devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network infrastructure is used to integrate sensors and actuators, then device connectivity is achieved, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and data communication into a single SPE cable connection. The T-shaped intersection allows one cable to serve multiple functions by splitting into perpendicular connections, enabling both power supply and Ethernet communication through a single physical interface rather than separate cables for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The SPE cable system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both electrical power delivery and digital data communication through the same physical medium. The T-shaped connector enables this multi-functionality by allowing the single cable to branch and serve different device types (analog and digital) on the same network infrastructure.
2Reliability
If separate cables are used for power and data communication, then reliable power delivery is achieved, but installation labor and skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges power delivery and data communication into a single SPE cable system. The T-shaped intersection enables this consolidation by allowing the single cable to split and connect to multiple devices, reducing the number of physical connections from two separate cables to one unified cable system, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining reliable power delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If analog devices are integrated into digital networks, then system connectivity is improved, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The T-shaped intersection acts as an intermediary device that bridges analog and digital devices on the same network. It provides the necessary interface and signal conditioning to allow legacy analog sensors and actuators to communicate over the digital SPE network infrastructure without requiring complex protocol translation or additional conversion devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
An industrial Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) system and method for connecting devices within an industrial automation system is provided. The industrial SPE system comprises a trunkline formed by a series of trunk cables, where each trunk cable includes a power pair and an SPE pair, and one or more taps connected between the trunk cables of the trunkline. The industrial SPE system further comprises a drop line connected to each of the one or more taps, and a device connected to each of one or more taps via the drop lines. The device is an actuator or a sensor, and at least one of the device and the one or more taps includes a dual-port SPE switch.