SCADA and diagnostic systems are used in all industries, but discrete and process industries begin to separate as specific control functions emerge.

The results were taken from 213 respondents involved in specifying, recommending and/or buying industrial network products. Given the nature of the responses, networking takes many forms and exists in a wide variety of ways. Communication can be as simple as a sensor and display tied via 4-20 mA, or an Ethernet platform spanning several levels from enterprise to plant floor.

Most companies (61%) use network driven SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems (See Most frequently named uses graph.) and most (51%) extend that to include diagnostics, testing, and maintenance. Additional answers suggest divisions between discrete and process manufacturing needs.

This list shows the remarkable variety of networking protocols in use, each with its own purpose and applications.

Commercial Ethernet and fieldbus platform families are strong, led by ODVA group with EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet all showing in the top 10. Modbus and Modbus/TCP placed second with the Profibus and Foundation fieldbus protocol groups named third and fourth.

Technology use changes slowly, which makes trends hard to spot, but wireless, especially WiFi (IEEE 802.11b) shows the most movement, with 40% saying they use it currently, up from a statistical dead heat at 34% in 2006, and 35% in 2005. Other wireless technologies (including RFID) are positioned for growth, with the following the highest cited for new use in the next 12 months:

• RFID, +17%;
• ZigBee (IEEE 802.11g), +16%;
• WiFi (IEEE 802.11b), + 14%; and,
• Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15), +13%.

At the same time, the extensive amount of hardware that is not yet networked is also telling. While PLC’s, and Ethernet devices (hubs, switches, routers, etc.) are integral parts of larger networks, other types of devices can go either way. In fact, on average, slightly more than half of installed instrumentation and sensors are currently not networked, although if plans to connect them over the next 12 months pan out, the balance will shift pushing most process and discrete sensors, switches, and valves over the 50% mark.

Networking hardware and software figures high in plant budgets as they upgrade and maintain systems.

The top four companies supplying networking hardware products named by respondents in this year’s survey are Rockwell Automation, Belden, Schneider Electric, and Phoenix Contact. Representative offerings from these companies are shown here.

• Links to more than 50 other vendors with products related to industrial networking are located with the online version of this article under April 2007, www.controleng.com/archive.
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New fast analog module from Rockwell Automation improves data transfer and overall performance of Allen-Bradley Control Logix programmable automation controller (PAC) family. Using an on-board data archive, the module eases integration into new or existing systems and increases system throughput by reducing overhead required in collecting high-speed data. Featuring four archiving inputs and two outputs, the fast analog module collects up to 20 samples of data at a time, which are stored in the module’s on-board buffers. By storing data until 20 samples are taken, the module lengthens time between I/O data transfers, which the company says relieves the controller of burdensome information and decreases process disruptions. The archiving feature allows for configuration selections, such as data type, tag generation, and connection between the controller and high-speed analog I/O module. All features and configuration options are available through Rockwell Software RSLogix 5000 programming software. www.rockwellautomation.com

Rockwell Automation

Belden’s line of DataTuff industrial Ethernet cables has grown with the addition of three new enhanced 4-pair, category 5e twisted pair cables. All three use 24 AWG solid, bare copper conductors and halogen-free insulation. The 7935A is unshielded EtherNet/IP compliant, with rip cord, polyolefin insulation and .030 in. black, low smoke zero halogen jacket, rated NEC/CEC: CM FT1; 7936A is shielded EtherNet/IP compliant, with stranded TC drain wire, Beldfoil shield and same jacket as 7935A, rated NEC/CEC: CMR/CMG FT4; and 7937A is waterblocked for buried applications, with stranded TC drain wire, PE inner jacket, Beldfoil shield, and sunlight- and oil-resistant black PE jacket. Fully waterblocked per Telcordia, IEC, and ICEA specifications.

Belden says these cables compliment their line of DataTuff copper and TrayOptic optical industrial Ethernet cables, including a variety of Cat 5e and Cat 6 products. www.belden.com

Belden

Ethernet switches designed for office use don’t always last in industrial applications, so Schneider Electric offers its line of toughened Telemecanique ConneXium components designed for reliability in difficult conditions. The IP67-rated Ethernet switches are suitable for direct installation in machines on a plant floor, indoors or out, even where water spray and rain can hit; extended temperature unmanaged Ethernet switches can operate in environments from -40 to 70 °C (-40 to 158 °F); and, a Modbus to Ethernet gateway provides connection from shop floor Modbus serial line to larger Ethernet-based network. The company says this family of hubs, switches, bridges, and transceivers is designed with high resilience for specific industrial environments. www.us.telemecanique.com

Schneider Electric

Phoenix Contact introduced two new PSI-MOS Profibus fiber optic converters with conformal-coated printed circuit boards. The converters were designed primarily for use in shipbuilding and marine industries, where environments can lead to PCB corrosion. Conformal coating gives added protection from saltwater, as well as moisture, dust, and other corrosives common in hostile industrial environments. All company copper to fiber optic media converters are approved for use in UL Class 1, Division 2, hazardous locations, common in petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical, and water/wastewater industries. www.phoenixcon.com

Phoenix Contact