For some time now we have been working on new transmission and cabling technologies for the IoT and IIoT of today and tomorrow. With the growth of the transmission media fiber optics, 5G and WLAN, the legitimate question arises as to how things will continue with twisted pair network cabling.
Background of single pair ethernet technology
The good news is that the further development of Ethernet transmission technology and PoE power supply with currently up to 90 W also creates new applications with Ethernet interfaces.
In addition, there is a growing need for uniform, lean transmission technology, both in terms of the transmission protocol and the hardware, connectors and cabling. Ideally, right down to the field level to the sensors and actuators.
This should be possible with Single Pair Ethernet (SPE).
With the start in the automotive industry, the technology begins to find its way into industry and, in the long term, into buildings. The SPE topic has been known for some time and since the SPS 2019 trade fair at the latest, it has made itself felt in all media.
The single pair Ethernet technology at a glance
As the name suggests, Single Pair Ethernet is just one pair of wires instead of two (e.g. 10/100BASE-T, Profinet, …) or four (e.g. 10GBASE-T with 4PPoE).
The requirements for opening up further and new applications are not necessarily high data transmission rates. 10 Mbit/s or 100 Mbit/s are often sufficient. On the other hand, there is a need for long distances with cable lengths of up to 1,000 m, or devices with the smallest connection technology. In this context, the Single Pair Ethernet technology (xBASE-T1) was developed.
For this purpose, two connectors have been chosen:
Enterprise LC style for M1I1C1E1 according to ISO / IEC 63171-1
- New connector
- Housing shape based on LC simplex connector
- Focus on the infrastructure in the building
- Environments for which IP20 protection is sufficient
Industrial style for M2I2C2E2 and M3I3C3E3 according to IEC 63171-6 (use for M1I1C1E1 possible)
- New connector
- Focus on applications in the industrial environment
- IP20 and IP67 housing for harsher environments
METZ CONNECT and the Single Pair Ethernet Industrial Partner Network
As an innovative manufacturer for high quality in the field of contact technology and connecting elements in the market segments of industrial electronics, data and communication technology as well as in building technology, we at METZ CONNECT also deal with single pair Ethernet technology. Be it in devices, control cabinets, systems or infrastructure, both in industry and in buildings.
Accompany you on our way into the IoT and IIoT of today and tomorrow. You can find information on the new transmission and cabling technology, affected applications and other news at:
