Industrial Ethernet offers many advantages to process automation. It can transport large amounts of data at high speed. Various protocols are available such as Ethernet IP, Foundation Fieldbus HSE, Modbus TCP and PROFINet. Modbus TCP has emerged as the protocol with the widest acceptance especially for Remote I/O. This technology is employed not only for green field sites but also for modernizing existing installations.

Now industrial Ethernet has become available for Zone 1 hazardous areas satisfying ATEX requirements.

Redundant network topologies are available with fiber optic links bridging long distances. Remote I/O Ethernet also supports HART communication with field devices. Even secondary HART variables can be mapped to the data exchange.

Industrial Ethernet presents cost-effective and flexible network architecture with a promising future.