Definition: What is Industrial Communication and Why is it Important?
Industrial communication refers to the exchange of information between two or more devices within a system. This involves data transfer that is fast and straightforward. Industrial communication is crucial for flexible and independent task management, predominantly used in manufacturing technology and automation. This development allows companies to network and communicate with numerous end devices and machines over long distances. For an industrial enterprise, implementing this application is a highly recommended investment, as digital transformation is something we will increasingly encounter in the future. This represents the advancement of Industry 4.0. Building and optimizing industrial networks is a significant demand placed on the industry by our modern society.
History of Industrial Communication
In the 1970s and 1980s, hardwired controls for machines and systems were replaced by programmable logic controllers (PLCs) because the former lacked adaptability. This newfound flexibility was quickly adopted in automation, but new demands and expectations from users soon followed. From the year 2000, industrial communication rapidly advanced with the introduction of Ethernet. This wired communication technology can now be easily combined with wireless standards (e.g., Bluetooth or WLAN). This allows significantly larger amounts of data to be sent at high speeds to various participants. Consequently, industrial Ethernet has become a standard in our society today. The rapid increase in the digitalization of the economy and society is driving ever more flexible and intelligent production and industrial communication.
Differentiation of Industrial Bus Systems and Industrial Ethernet Systems
In a bus system, multiple participants are involved in data transmission. When data is transmitted between two participants, the remaining participants must refrain from communication. Industrial Ethernet systems enable real-time communication, thereby avoiding losses due to transmission errors. Data transmission occurs within a local network via cables. The key difference is that the data transmission speed in bus systems is slower compared to Ethernet systems.
Explanations of the Individual Bus Systems and Their Uses
PROFIBUS: PROFIBUS stands for "Process Field Bus" and is responsible for industrial communication between actuators/sensors and controllers. PROFIBUS is a universal fieldbus used in automation technology, communicating across multiple field levels.
PROFINET: PROFINET stands for "Process Field Network" and is an Industrial Ethernet standard. This system is used in drive technology, manufacturing technology, and process automation. Its interface allows for the integration of other fieldbuses.
Ethernet: Ethernet is currently the most commonly used LAN type. The goal of Ethernet technology is to define a unified communication system that provides both good integration with IT systems and excellent real-time properties for industrial communication between decentralized field devices and controllers. The internet is a practical example from everyday life where Ethernet plays an important role. It offers a future-proof solution with its application-neutral cabling. The type of Ethernet cable used is crucial. Ethernet cables of category 5 (CAT5) are most commonly used, supporting both classic and Fast Ethernet.
IO-Link: IO-Link is responsible for connecting a field device, such as an actuator or sensor, to the controller. "IO" stands for the input and output of data. IO-Link is not a fieldbus but a point-to-point communication system, primarily used in the industrial automation environment.
AS-i: AS-i stands for Actuator-Sensor Interface and is part of the fieldbus group. It represents the simplest form of networking for industrial communication between a controller and actuators/sensors, used at the lowest field level, directly at the devices. It is now standardized in Europe and worldwide with the Euro EN 50295, IEC 62026-2 norms. In its current variant, AS-i can connect up to 62 slaves with 4 inputs and outputs each. Depending on the number of connected modules, the maximum cycle time is 10 ms. Data transmission occurs bitwise. Data exchange and energy supply for the modules are transmitted via a single two-wire cable. The cable length is a maximum of 100 meters, extendable up to 300 meters using repeaters. AS-interface is used for industrial communication between a controller and decentralized actuators/sensors.