Industrial Ethernet and fieldbus, who will become the mainstream?
Fieldbus, Ethernet, and wireless technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages. So who will be the mainstream of the future? Isn't it obviously that there is not just one technology for all manufacturers or machines that is the "right" solution? Manufacturers must weigh the value of various programs. Is there another kind of profit that is more valuable than the benefits brought about by ordinary schemes? If yes, how do these programs compare to the cost of maintaining another plant-level technology and corresponding supplier relationships in a few years? This is a key issue and only end users can answer. Again, these issues apply to fieldbus and Ethernet technologies, and even future wireless network solutions.
Industrial Ethernet, fieldbus, and industrial wireless are the three mainstream technologies in the field of industrial communications. The integration of fieldbus, Ethernet, embedded technology, and wireless communication technologies into the control network enhances the system's openness and interoperability while ensuring the stability of the system. This helps enterprises to accelerate new product development and reduce Production costs, improve information services. With the increasing demand of human beings for communication, the network has become an essential means of transmission. With the increase of network applications, there will be more and more disputes over who will become the main mode of future industrial communications. Then, who will become the mainstream of the future?
The concept of fieldbus was formally proposed in 1984. The emergence of fieldbus not only simplifies the structure of the system, but also greatly simplifies the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and maintenance of the entire control system. Therefore, the emergence of fieldbus technology does bring a deep revolution to industrial automation. For more than a decade, it has also developed rapidly in the field of industrial control and has been widely used in industrial automation systems. However, there is still no unified standard for fieldbus technology. In fact, starting from the concept of fieldbus, the International Electrotechnical Commission/International Standards Association (IEC/ISA) began to develop standards for fieldbus, and the unified standard has not yet been completed. Many companies also launch their own fieldbus technologies, but it is difficult to unify their openness and interoperability.
Just when the fieldbus standard is full of smoke, Ethernet has quietly entered the field of control, resulting in a new term "Industrial Ethernet", and because Ethernet transmission speed is faster than the field bus and other advantages, Ethernet technology Born to flourish, the momentum in recent years has covered the field bus. However, just like the fieldbus standard disputes of the past, Industrial Ethernet has also appeared in many different Ethernet technologies, such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, ModbusTCP, EtherCAT, Powerlink, etc., and these networks are based on different levels at different levels. The technologies and protocols include OPC, CP, IP, etc. Moreover, each technology has different vendors behind it, which determines the coexistence of multiple Ethernet technologies.
Let's say wireless technology, from the complex wiring to now only need a wireless signal transmitter, from the reliance on the PC to now can use any device equipped with a wireless terminal adapter, connected to the network at any time, anywhere, any device There are no obstacles to the status quo. The development of technology has also promoted social progress. Whether military products, industrial products or even civilian products, wireless technology has become an indispensable part of social development. Compared with wired networks, wireless networks are mobile, and there are no restrictions on communication cables. Communication terminals can be freely moved or arranged freely within the communication area. The networking is quick and flexible. Installation of a wireless communication system avoids cable trenches when installing a cable network. The cumbersome work of laying cables reduces the amount of construction; the coverage area is wide, wireless communication can be spread throughout the area where wired communication can be reached, and data communication can also be realized where the wired network is inconvenient; and the expansion capability is strong, and various topology structures can be formed. , it is very easy to expand the node. Of course, at this stage, people still hold skepticism and wait-and-see attitudes about the safety, reliability, and cost performance of wireless technologies, and they do not understand the industrial applications of wireless technologies.
Fieldbus, Ethernet, and wireless technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages. So who will be the mainstream of the future? Isn't it obviously that there is not just one technology for all manufacturers or machines that is the "right" solution? Manufacturers must weigh the value of various programs. Is there another kind of profit that is more valuable than the benefits brought about by ordinary schemes? If yes, how do these programs compare to the cost of maintaining another plant-level technology and corresponding supplier relationships in a few years? This is a key issue and only end users can answer. Again, these issues apply to fieldbus and Ethernet technologies, and even future wireless network solutions.
It can be said that regardless of the development of any technology, it is ultimately determined by its own characteristics, and the user will give the final answer. Regardless of the mainstream of Ethernet, fieldbus, and wireless technologies, how to make the industrial control system more open and compatible is the ultimate trend.
