With SPE technology advancing rapidly Control Engineering Europe finds out what this could mean for the adoption of Ethernet technology at field level.

Taking critical plant floor data from smart HART field devices and sharing it with higher level control and information systems no longer has to be difficult or expensive according to Tina Todd.

Using four applications, Moxa takes a closer look at the challenges faced when expanding edge networks and recommends strategies that may help reduce the hassles of configuration and maintenance.

Eckard Eberle gives his thoughts on how future industrial wireless networks might look.

The FDT integration standard is about to transition into an information exchange platform which will enable cloud-based asset monitoring for field devices. This will reduce maintenance costs, improve asset reliability and provide useful information to personnel in a timely manner, says Suriya Selvaraj.

Find out more about CIP Security – an enhancement to EtherNet/IP technology to address cybersecurity – which allows devices to defend themselves using industry-standard, widely adopted technology.

The communication network is the single most important technological component of a machine or plant control system. Martin Rostan offers some food for thought about how the fieldbus choice is made.

Volker E. Goller discusses time-sensitive networking – He looks at why it is being developed and what advantages it will offer for industrial communications.

Suzanne Gill finds out how industrial communications are supporting and simplifying the digital migration process.

After 30 years Modbus is still one of the most popular industrial networks, despite its simplicity. This could just be the reason for its popularity: just bits and bytes, understood by every programmer. But getting a new network to work is not always simple. Rob Hulsebos aims to make all things Modbus a bit clearer.

Uwe Widmann asks whether single-pair Ethernet (SPE) technology herald a breakthrough for Ethernet right down to sensor connection at field level? And does single-pair Ethernet have what it takes to supplant conventional field bus systems?

Peter Wenzel, executive director of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, Germany, highlights the importance of standardisation for data communication technologies.

Industrial security is a complicated, multifaceted challenge that cannot be solved by simply purchasing the latest technology. Instead, managing the security of industrial control systems and networks requires improving processes, tools and ultimately balancing risk, says Glenn Schulz.

It is becoming apparent that the reluctance to move beyond 100Mbit Ethernet technology is a very real limiting factor for Industry 4.0 adoption. John Browett, general manager at CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) Europe, argues that the transition to gigabit Ethernet networking technologies has to start now.

Manufacturers are now gearing up to ride the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) wave. Although the progress has been slow, manufacturers at different stages of their IIoT transformation are already beginning to experience the benefits of digitisation, says Matthew Lee, product manager at Moxa.

John Browett explains why open industrial networks are fundamental components of a smart factory.

Industrial organisations are now able to bring systems, applications and devices together in a unified architecture to exchange information throughout the enterprise thanks to the integration of FDT and OPC UA standards.

Markus Weinländer provides examples of cloud-based quality control to demonstrate the possibilities of Time Sensitive Networking (TSN).

Ross Yu explains the importance of data reliability and network security in IIoT applications, examines real-life case studies, and discusses key considerations when selecting an IIoT wireless solution.

The latest developments to the Advanced Physical Layer project to enable Ethernet to the Field were reported at ACHEMA by three leading standards-based organisations for suppliers of process automation. Suzanne Gill reports.