INTELLIGENT
CABLING
R&M and partners launch SPE
Alliance to drive development
for Industrial IoT
T
o drive development of Single
Pair Ethernet for Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT)
applications, R&M has joined forces
with Fluke Networks, Phoenix Contact,
Weidmller and Telegartner to establish the
SPE Alliance.
R&M, the global Swiss developer and
provider of connectivity systems for
high-quality, high-performance network
infrastructures, has co-founded a Single
Pair Ethernet (SPE) Alliance together
with Fluke Networks, Phoenix Contact,
Weidmller and Telegartner.
The main objective of the alliance is to
drive development of SPE for Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT) and collaborate
on related technological challenges. The
companies aim to accelerate development of
their SPE technology expertise, ensuring this
can be implemented in their products faster
and more reliably.
SPE and its main application areas
SPE, based on xBASE-T1, uses a single
twisted pair for data transmission with
miniaturised connectors. A key benefit
is that it offers uniform manufacturerindependent
connectivity instead of
introducing specialised connectivity for
each application. Ranges of up to 1000m
and transmission speeds of up to 1 Gbps
make this technology suitable for use across
applications and the flexibility to reuse and
extend existing cable installations.
Passive industrial cabling. SPE provides
consistent IP communication from sensor
to cloud, revolutionising industrial data
transmission. Standardised pin connector
patterns form the basis for the barrier-free
networking of a wide range of components
and devices, providing an alternative to
today’s fieldbus systems.
Building automation. Smart buildings
and factories can be cost-effectively realised
by connecting devices to the building
management system via LAN networks
and the cloud. Application-specific fieldbus
systems are no longer required, making
gateways, complex interfaces and different
protocols obsolete.
SPE is an ideal solution for connecting
numerous small sensors and actuators in
Digital Ceiling ‘zones’. Sensors, controls,
WLAN access points and other distributed
services are simply plugged in and instantly
powered and connected to the network.
Sensor technology. Sensors and
actuators are increasingly supplying data
to IIoT applications. SPE’s miniaturised,
standardised connection technology makes
it possible to quickly and easily connect
smaller sensors to Ethernet networks and
power these.
The SPE System Alliance is an open
platform for advancing SPE technology
in the market.
Following its initial establishment,
Datwyler, Kyland, Microchip Technology,
Rosenberger, SICK, O-Ring, Draka/Prysmian
Group and University4Industry have also
joined the alliance. The breadth of this
lineup means the group covers a wide
range of industries, applications and
application areas. •
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS
INTELLIGENT
TECH CHANNELS Issue 31 39