Single Pair Ethernet Trunk-Drop Network for Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in efficiently integrating analog and digital sensors and switches into their network infrastructure, limiting their intelligent use and data access to controllers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) system within industrial automation systems, utilizing a trunk-drop infrastructure with dual-port SPE switches and taps, enables both analog and digital devices to connect directly to the network, providing a simplified infrastructure for both smart and legacy devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network infrastructure is used to integrate analog and digital sensors and switches, then device connectivity is achieved, but system complexity increases and integration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and data communication into a single Ethernet cable pair, eliminating the need for separate power and communication infrastructure. This merging reduces the number of cables, connectors, and integration devices required while maintaining the ability to connect both analog and digital sensors and switches to the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The SPE network infrastructure provides universal connectivity by enabling a single cable system to handle both power delivery and data communication for diverse devices including analog sensors, digital sensors, switches, and controllers. This multi-functional approach allows different device types to integrate into the same network without requiring device-specific infrastructure.
2Reliability
If multiple integration devices are used to connect analog and digital devices to the network, then device connectivity is improved, but the number of components and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for separate power delivery infrastructure and integration devices by implementing power delivery directly over the Ethernet data cables. This elimination of redundant components simplifies the system architecture, reducing the number of devices that need to be installed, configured, and maintained while improving overall system connectivity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If separate power and data cables are used for each device, then power delivery reliability is maintained, but cable quantity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power delivery and data communication functions into a single cable pair, reducing the total cable quantity required in the system. The Power over Ethernet (POE) capability embedded in the SPE infrastructure enables reliable power delivery through the same cables used for data communication, eliminating the need for separate power cables for each device.
Data Source
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.