Wired and Wireless Networks

Traditional wired networks abound as wireless alternatives proliferate

Randy Frank, Contributing Editor -- Design News, October 6, 2008

Wired networks include several standard protocols such as PROFIBUS-DP for Decentral Peripherals, PROFINET and Modbus, TCP/IP and FOUNDATION fieldbus. Also, the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) supported by the Open DeviceNet Vendors Assn. (ODVA) includes DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP and CompoNet. Companies interested in serving the wired networking market frequently develop several products to cover more than one wired protocol.

For use on PROFINET network systems, TURCK recently introduced the BL67 Ethernet gateway. Since PROFINET is the fastest industrial Ethernet i/o network and capable of establishing a line topology, it is frequently used for long conveyor systems. Consisting of a gateway, base and electronic modules, i/o modules in the BL67 system are configured independently of the fieldbus protocol. The newest system adds to the company's existing BL67 gateways for DeviceNet, PROFIBUS-DP, CANopen, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP.

In contrast, wireless systems may be based on a standard, such as the IEEE 802.15.4 low data rate Wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) standard for the physical layer and medium access layer established for long battery life. In spite of industry-wide efforts, such as the ZigBee Alliance to establish a common standard for application profiles for mesh networks, several proprietary approaches continue to proliferate.

Banner Engineering Corp. recently introduced the SureCross™ DX70 Wireless Developer's Kit which provides a means for users to experience the easy set up and capability of a wireless network designed specifically for industrial applications. The company's SureCross™ Wireless Network is even based on a proprietary Radio Frequency (RF) design. The bidirectional network uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) protocol and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology for secure communications.

This section looks at recent trends in both wired and wireless industrial networks based on standard and proprietary techniques.

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