ODVA, TIA to develop joint industrial Ethernet specifications

Boca Raton, FL; Arlington, VA—The Open DeviceNet Vendor Association (ODVA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) have formed a cooperation and cross licensing agreement for building common industrial Ethernet specifications. ODVA and TIA will share information about standards that both groups are currently developing for Ethernet's physical layer.

By Staff April 1, 2003

Boca Raton, FL ; Arlington, VA—The Open DeviceNet Vendor Association (ODVA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) have formed a cooperation and cross licensing agreement for building common industrial Ethernet specifications. ODVA and TIA will share information about standards that both groups are currently developing for Ethernet’s physical layer.

“Ethernet has definitely blurred the line between the office and plant floor,” says Dan Bart, TIA’s senior vp of standards and special projects. “Having a leading organization from each side working together is proof. This alliance is a big win for industrial Ethernet and its users.”

Katherine Voss, ODVA’s executive director, adds that, “This is an important step for both organizations because it demonstrates our leadership in the development of industrial Ethernet. It shows a strong commitment to make sure the EtherNet/IP and TIA specifications are aligned.”

The agreement calls for ODVA to provide EtherNet/IP information related to the physical-layer portions of the specification, installation requirements, and test procedures used to evaluate network performance. In turn, TIA will supply ODVA with details regarding standards being developed in various subcommittees of Engineering Committee TR-42 User Premises Telecommunications Infrastructure. These subcommittees include TR-42.5 Infrastructure Terms and Symbols; TR-42.7 Telecommunications Copper Cabling Systems; and TR-42.9 Industrial Telecommunications Infrastructure.

ODVA and TIA plan to use this information to codevelop and drive physical-layer and installation standards for industrial Ethernet. Ultimately, the standards are expected to help the combined vendor and user communities adopt Ethernet on the plant floor.