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Industrial Ethernet continues to empower smart manufacturing with new engines
Industrial Ethernet is a communication network designed for industrial environments, and it's seen as having significant potential following the fieldbus era. Initially, Ethernet was primarily used in commercial settings, but it has gradually made its way into industrial automation, becoming an essential component of modern manufacturing systems—known today as Industrial Ethernet.
Industrial Ethernet: The Core of Smart Factories
The reason Ethernet has gained so much traction in industrial applications lies in its unique strengths. It offers higher bandwidth, faster data transmission, greater stability, and reliability, all while helping to reduce control system costs. These advantages have made it highly attractive to both enterprises and industries, leading to its rapid adoption in the industrial control domain.
According to market data, by early 2016, global sales of Industrial Ethernet technology were growing at a high rate, accounting for nearly 40% of the industrial network market. As more companies entered the space, a variety of products emerged, and the trend toward integration between different systems became clear. This has led to a thriving and dynamic Industrial Ethernet market.
In recent years, with the deepening implementation of China’s "Made in China 2025" strategy, smart factories have become a focal point across the country. In these smart factories, automation is just one part of the equation. Industrial Ethernet, as a modern solution for data transmission and device control, aligns perfectly with the goals of smart manufacturing. As a result, it has become a key element in smart factory deployments, acting like the “eyes†that monitor daily operations, enhancing speed, safety, and energy efficiency.
Standardized Multi-Protocol: A Major Challenge for Industrial Ethernet
Despite its success in smart factories, Industrial Ethernet still faces challenges. One major issue is that Ethernet was originally developed for commercial use, and when adapted for industrial environments, it sometimes lacks the required real-time performance, especially during heavy traffic.
Moreover, the lack of a unified standard has been a long-standing problem. As Ethernet gained popularity in the industrial sector, the industry lacked clear, standardized protocols, leading to the emergence of multiple competing technologies and creating several distinct camps.
To date, there are several major standards such as IEC 61158, Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, HSE, and others. The coexistence of multiple standards is likely to continue for some time, making interoperability between different systems difficult. Over time, this could hinder the overall development of the industry, particularly in the information age where seamless data flow is crucial.
Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement: The Future of Industrial Ethernet Switches
While high-speed transmission and low cost are key advantages of Industrial Ethernet, the technology will continue to evolve. As an Ethernet switch used in industrial control, it is entering a new phase of development.
Currently, industrial Ethernet switches are mainly used in areas like industrial control, traffic management, power systems, and computer room monitoring. With increasing integration with PLCs, human-machine interfaces, and terminal computers, the demand for industrial Ethernet is growing. Based on the original characteristics of Ethernet, it's challenging for industrial switches to maintain dominance indefinitely.
In comparison, lower costs better meet market needs, from both user and corporate perspectives. Simplicity, ease of use, and practical functionality are becoming more important than advanced features. Therefore, industrial Ethernet switches will continue to evolve, with usability and practicality becoming central to their future development.
From a product type perspective, while unmanaged switches are more common, managed switches dominate the market due to their higher value per unit.
Additionally, as Ethernet technology advances, improvements in real-time performance, security, and reliability will follow. High-performance, low-cost industrial Ethernet switches will increasingly penetrate industrial control systems, expanding their application scope and deepening their impact on the industrial communications industry.