Kazio Networks

Beckhoff Automation is yet another manufacturer taking huge steps towards dispelling the *old myth” of “Industrial Ethernet not being deterministic enough”. Beckhoff’s EL6688 EtherCAT terminal allows machines, system components and productions lines to be synchronized with each other via GPS/ DCF77 receives using the IEEE 1588 standard. The distributed clocks within an EtherCAT system allows time synchronization within a 100 ns tolerance. The EL6688 EtherCAT Terminal supports Ethernet-based IEEE 1588 protocols PTPv1 (IEEE 1588-2002) and PTPv2 (IEEE 1588-2008).

The EL6688 is an IEEE 1588 clock (ordinary clock), which, from the perspective of the higher-level master (grandmaster), operates as a slave or supplies the connected EtherCAT Terminals (slaves) as a master via distributed clocks.

It has to be said that the determinism factor is a common apprehension among some control engineers. This results in the (Industrial Ethernet) networking technology being dismissed as being a control system network of choice. Words like “deterministic” and “determinism” are misunderstood when applied to control/ automation networks and often used very loosely in a conversation or when making a decision. In a non time critical application/ network, the real time traffic and latencies within a switched network are very negligible; and it is certainly super fast. Nowadays, switches (which form the backbone of the network) have latencies of around the 20 microsecond range or better. With (Industrial) Ethernet, a properly designed and installed network can be as good as or better than any other type of industrial network — even without IEEE 1588.

Ethernet/IP and Profinet are good examples of technologies that have real time protocols with CIP Sync and Profinet IRT respectively. CIP Sync uses IEEE 1588 clocks on switches and the CIP Sync protocol on distributed devices; and Profinet IRT uses switches and devices with ERTEC (Enhanced Real Time Ethernet Controller) ASICs and 802.1Q. As IEEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP) is embraced and adopted more, maybe we’ll see more Industrial Ethernet usage within areas like motion control and other time critical situations.

Other manufacturers

SyncSwitch TC100 (IEEE-1588 Transparent Clock/Managed Ethernet Switch)

Meinberg LANTIME M600/ Hirschmann MICE MS-20 Industrial Ethernet Switch

Meinberg LANTIME M600/GPS/PTP : PTPv2 / IEEE 1588-2008 Grandmaster Clock and NTP Time Server with integrated GPS radio clock

Meinberg LANTIME/PTP : PTP/IEEE1588 Ordinary Clock and NTP Time Server

OnTime Networks  T200 series – Time sync Ethernet switches

Teletronics Technology NSW -5FT/ NSW- 8GT switches

Siemens SCALANCE X-200IRT switches – Isochronous Real-Time

List of IEEE 1588 product catalog (NIST)

Useful IEEE 1588 links/articles

An introduction to IEEE 1588 (Real Time Automation)

IEEE 1588 and the need for Ethernet Clock Synchronization

Understanding the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol

Using IEEE 1588 for synchronization of network-connected devices

IEEE 1588 cited publications

Network Time Protocol (NTP)

Time Triggered Protocol (TTP)

Tutorials (from NIST)

Basics of IEEE 1588
Industrial applications of IEEE 1588 part 1.pdf
Industrial applications of IEEE 1588 part 2.pdf
Telecommunications applications of IEEE 1588.pdf
Test and measurement applications of IEEE 1588.pdf

If you want to build your own multi wire cable tester for less than $10, Andy Collinson (from zen22132) shows you how to do it. Built with three ICs, some resistors and LEDs — the tester will show open circuits, shorts, reversals, earth faults and continuity. It can be used for alarming, Cat 5/6 cables and more.

[Info. and diagram courtesy of zen22142.zen.co.uk]

It is surprising to hear how many Automation Engineers (I’ve talked to) do not know about Cisco’s Industrial Ethernet range of switches.

“Cisco makes switches for Industrial Ethernet applications?” and “Cisco makes industrial switches?”, are what I hear commonly.

Yes, Cisco does make industrial switches (and I don’t mean the *old* Cisco Catalyst 2955). I am talking about the modular based IE3000 series switches. In fact, the press release for it was about a year ago (with a 2nd quarter ‘08 release). With the abundance of Industrial Ethernet switch products already in place, Cisco may have come into a crowded marketplace with some catching up to do with the established *players*.

When I think of Cisco nowadays, I think of Cisco’s Unified Communications — which includes IP telephony, unified messaging, customer contact, Web and video conferencing etc. That’s kind of edged in my mind as with the great simplistic (yet powerful) marketing they’ve done.

Cisco in industrial automation and the factory floor? Not so much. I can’t remember the time I have actually seen a Cisco IE3000 printed ad, or is there even one? They don’t even have a direct link in their main Cisco website. One will have trouble ever finding it (being buried several levels down); good thing I have got it bookmarked. For your reference, here is the direct link to their Ethernet to Factory floor solution.

Are they taking a step back because of their partnership with Rockwell Automation, letting Rockwell be the front player in marketing the Cisco switch range? Rockwell branded Cisco switches differ from the standard IE3000 models as they have inbuilt feature sets and reference architectures tailored to Rockwell’s Integrated Architecture™ applications. Cisco also has a partnership with Honeywell as well (that one we hear even less off).

The IE3000 series targets industrial automation (with the familiar PLC DIN-rail mounted form factor design and the bells & whistles of extended environmental rating, convection cooling, alarm relays, surge/ noice immunity, 24VDC power etc.), outdoor video and transportation systems control, substation automation specifications (incl. IEC61850 and IEEE1613), railway, military and other unique environmental situations. It comes in 4 ports and 8 port versions with expansions modules and SFP transceivers.

Here is a video of the IE3000 as demonstrated by their product manager.

How they will fair remains to be seen … this is relatively an early stage of them entering the already abundant industrial switch marketplace. However, with their track record, I’ll never count them out. I liken them to the Goliath of the network world with a silent but deadly presence.

Cisco IE3000 brochure

Cisco IE3000 data sheet

Shop Cisco IE3000

For ye faithful Lantronix WiSpan (Ethernet to Wireless bridge) users, the product line will be discontinued. There will be continued support until Dec 1st, 2009. Replacement for the WiSpan line are the WiBox device servers (a much better *replacement upgrade*).

Product discontinuation announcement

WiBox information

Shop for the WiBox

• Industrial Wireless: unplugged version of the factory network
• Wireless security on the plant floor
• Industrial wireless proved in diesel engine assembly
• IEEE1588: Running on real time Ethernet
• Innovative automation with Industrial Ethernet (Sercos)
• TTTech creates realtime Ethernet ecosystem for in-car use
• EtherCAT takes a leading role in motion control
• Device extends Ethernet twisted pair cabled networks beyond 100m distance
• Automation and Ethernet Combine for 3D Disney Attraction