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COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
The Heart of Tomorrow’s Factory
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
The Heart of Tomorrow’s Factory
Improving Productivity and Efficiency
Intelligent use of data is indispensable for productive plant operations, especially in large, complex facilities. Safety, efficiency, and uptime all depend on fast, accurate decision-making. Industrial communications empower every team to make the right call at the right time by delivering access to real-time data that enables improved performance and efficiency.
New Techniques & Devices
New Techniques
& Devices
& Devices
Developed to handle industrial needs in terms of communication bandwidth, real-time performance, security, availability, energy efficiency, scalability, and reliability.
Factory Automation
Factory
Automation
Automation
Components can be categorized as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human machine interfaces (HMIs), sensors, and motor drives.
Higher Speed & Compatibility
Higher Speed
& Compatibility
& Compatibility
The next generation of industrial Ethernet is getting a major enhancement in the upgrade to gigabit speed.
From sensors to the back-office, Texas Instruments (TI) provides solutions that enable reliable communication and power on the plant floor. To help simplify the transition to smart production systems, we offer products for most common industrial communications standards such as PROFIBUS, multi-protocol industrial Ethernet (EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, PROFINET) and, looking to the future, gigabit time-sensitive networking (TSN), which, in the Sitara™ AM64x, supports up to 5 TSN ports capable of gigabit. This capability is critical for real-time communication in Industry 4.0 applications and enables software-reconfigurable cyber physical systems in factories.
Browse our technical content on various industrial communications challenges in the industry and see how our interfaces, power, microcontrollers, and processors can advance your design.
Supported Protocols and Standards
How Smart Communications Networks Deliver the Goods
An industrial application might face a combination of performance requirements, specialized equipment, and legacy systems that drive the need to support multiple networking technologies and protocols. Among the multiple fieldbus protocols that may have to be supported include:
Control Area Network
Modbus
PROFIBUS
PROFINET
EtherCAT
Sercos III
Control Area Network
Modbus
PROFIBUS
PROFINET
EtherCAT
Sercos III
And Others
The network architecture and configuration for applications will vary based on the protocol. Regardless of the network topology or the industrial protocol, there is a common goal: providing precise control to the different nodes on the factory floor.
Selecting the Right Industrial Communications Standard for Sensors
Selecting the Right Industrial Communications Standard for Sensors
Greater factory connectivity and control are ushering in what has been named the fourth industrial revolution, after the earlier revolutions of steam power, assembly lines, and early automation. This movement advances machine-to-machine communication with exponential growth in data, bandwidth, and networking, creating so-called smart factories with more responsive automation at all levels.
Download the White PaperAlthough the structure and function of the individual protocols vary, they are usually based on Ethernet. Industrial Ethernet is becoming more ubiquitous because it offers higher speed, increased connection distance, and the ability to connect more nodes. Ethernet for industrial automation exists in more than 30 industrial standards. The communication protocol defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard has been deployed for decades as a reliable, easy-to-use technology for local area networks (LANs).
Although the structure and function of the individual protocols vary, they are usually based on Ethernet. Industrial Ethernet is becoming more ubiquitous because it offers higher speed, increased connection distance, and the ability to connect more nodes. Ethernet for industrial automation exists in more than 30 industrial standards. The communication protocol defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard has been deployed for decades as a reliable, easy-to-use technology for local area networks (LANs).
While Ethernet may be traditionally thought of for connecting a computer to a printer in an office environment, it has been adapted to new applications. The reasons for this proliferation are straightforward. The technology is well understood and easily implemented. It supports different network topologies.
We support a wide range of industrial communication standards – from serial interfaces (IO-Link, CAN, RS-485) to industrial Ethernet and technologies such as TSN and single-pair Ethernet (SPE) standards such as 10BASE-T1L. This support enables designers to meet the needs of current industry trends.
While Ethernet may be traditionally thought of for connecting a computer to a printer in an office environment, it has been adapted to new applications. The reasons for this proliferation are straightforward. The technology is well understood and easily implemented. It supports different network topologies.
We support a wide range of industrial communication standards – from serial interfaces (IO-Link, CAN, RS-485) to industrial Ethernet and technologies such as TSN and single-pair Ethernet (SPE) standards such as 10BASE-T1L. This support enables designers to meet the needs of current industry trends.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
A History of Industrial Ethernet Protocols and Their Benefits
Every industrial Ethernet protocol has a unique history and differing benefits for industrial applications. In this article, I’ll provide a brief overview and key benefits for three key protocols: EtherCAT, PROFINET, and multiprotocols.
Download the ArticleWHITE PAPER
Time-Sensitive Networking for Industrial Automation
Time-sensitive networking (TSN) is an Ethernet extension defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) designed to make Ethernet-based networks more deterministic. Industries like automotive, industrial, and performance audio use real-time communication with multiple network devices and will benefit from the TSN standard.
Download the White PaperVIDEO
EtherCAT Protocol: Introduction to EtherCAT
With the introduction of the C2000 TMS320F2838x device family, the EtherCAT communication peripheral is available on-chip.
Partnering with Processors and MCUs
Making Big Data Smarter
The programmable real-time unit (PRU) is a small processor that is integrated with an I/O subsystem, offering low latency control of I/O pins on our Sitara processors. Inside, the programmable real-time unit industrial communication subsystem (PRU-ICSS) is a co-processor containing PRU cores and Ethernet media access controllers (EMACs), which implement industrial Ethernet and fieldbus protocols through firmware. The subsystem replaces FPGA or ASICS with a single chip solution. The firmware in the PRU-ICSS allows detecting the type of industrial Ethernet protocol and loads the appropriate industrial application during run-time into the Sitara processor.
PRU cores, although primarily used for industrial communication, can also be used for other applications such as motor control and custom interfaces. The PRU-ICSS frees up the main ARM cores in the device for other functions, such as control and data processing. Currently, the Sitara processors support 100-Mb versions of the protocols, but the AM6x family features an upgraded PRU-ICSS that supports gigabit speeds.
PRU cores, although primarily used for industrial communication, can also be used for other applications such as motor control and custom interfaces. The PRU-ICSS frees up the main ARM cores in the device for other functions, such as control and data processing. Currently, the Sitara processors support 100-Mb versions of the protocols, but the AM6x family features an upgraded PRU-ICSS that supports gigabit speeds.
PRU-ICSS block diagram for Industrial Communications
Engineers can use a development kit from us to accelerate the development of industrial communications solutions. Based on the TI Sitara processor, the kit delivers both the computational resources and dedicated communications capabilities required in industrial applications.
VIDEO
Introduction to the Programmable Real-Time Unit (PRU) Training Series
An in-depth look at the PRU, including hardware, firmware, application design, and drivers. This video also examines the tools provided by TI for compiling and debugging the PRU.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Industrial Communication Protocols Supported on Sitara Processors
This document shows the industrial communication protocols supported by each of the devices in the Sitara™ Arm® Cortex®-A processor portfolio, as well as where and how to get these protocols.
Download the White PaperWHITE PAPER
PROFINET ON TI’s Sitara™ Processors
Sitara processor families currently have support for PROFINET® RT and IRT. An evaluation version of the device stack is available in the Processor SDK directly or through the PROFINET firmware add-on package.
Download the White PaperWHITE PAPER
Utilizing Sitara™ Processors for Industry 4.0 Servo Drives
Features like real-time industrial communications, functional safety, predictive maintenance, and cloud connectivity are being brought into the servo control board to provide more services at the edge. This increased level of integration and need for higher performance are leading designers to look to heterogeneous processors, such as Sitara processors from Texas Instruments, to handle processing needs for Industry 4.0 applications.
Download the White PaperThe Importance of Latency
Designing the Smart Communications Network
In addition to performance, technology leaders in industrial communications must consider the impact of latency on factory automation applications. Latency is a critical parameter in Ethernet networks developed for factory automation applications. Latency is defined as the time required for packets to travel from their source to their destination. There are many sources of latency. Some latency is due to physical media like cabling and PCB traces. Delays through the PHYs, MACs, switches, and other components in the path also contribute to latency.
Latency is not a defined value for Ethernet as specified by the IEEE 802.3 standard, which does not impose specifications on the time for packets to traverse the PHY. The Ethernet physical layer is the portion of the application that interfaces with the physical media of communication, which is often a twisted pair or fiber-optic cable. The PHY should transmit and receive packets in a repeatable manner and minimize the time required to traverse the PHY.
Latency is not a defined value for Ethernet as specified by the IEEE 802.3 standard, which does not impose specifications on the time for packets to traverse the PHY. The Ethernet physical layer is the portion of the application that interfaces with the physical media of communication, which is often a twisted pair or fiber-optic cable. The PHY should transmit and receive packets in a repeatable manner and minimize the time required to traverse the PHY.
Latency through the Ethernet Physical Layer is a critical parameter as it enables designers to reduce system response time or add extra nodes in daisy-chained networks without increasing system size or cost. Consider how the DP83867E, for example, can control cycle times.
The capability of the DP83867E to operate with less than 400-ns latency in 1000Base-T operations can improve the cycle time for factory automation applications. This low level of latency is also comparable to levels seen in 100Base-TX operation, thereby simplifying the process of upgrading a 100Base-TX network to 1000Base-T and increasing the network bandwidth.
Latency through the Ethernet Physical Layer is a critical parameter as it enables designers to reduce system response time or add extra nodes in daisy-chained networks without increasing system size or cost. Consider how the DP83867E, for example, can control cycle times.
The capability of the DP83867E to operate with less than 400-ns latency in 1000Base-T operations can improve the cycle time for factory automation applications. This low level of latency is also comparable to levels seen in 100Base-TX operation, thereby simplifying the process of upgrading a 100Base-TX network to 1000Base-T and increasing the network bandwidth.
APPLICATION REPORT
Importance of Latency in Factory Automation
The latency through the Ethernet physical layer is a key limiting factor of control cycle time in these applications. The capability of the DP83867E and DP83869HM to operate with less than 400 ns latency in 1000Base-T operation can improve the cycle time.
Download the ReportTECHNICAL ARTICLE
Ethernet PHY Basics and Selection Process
Single-pair Ethernet PHYs, especially those for the 10BASE-T1L standard, are designed to help engineers looking to increase the bandwidth of their industrial communications and unify their network under a single interface protocol without increasing cable costs or network complexity.
Download the White PaperVIDEO
Low Latency vs. Low, Deterministic Latency Ethernet in Real Time Communications
To get the most out of your system, it is important to understand the difference between low latency and determinism. Minimizing latency and its variation enables faster cycle times or the ability to add more nodes on a single bus. Watch this video to learn more.
Watch the VideoVIDEO
Achieve Ultra-Low Latency Industrial Ethernet
Increase real-time network speeds in industrial automation systems with the industry's lowest latency of 10/100 Mbps Ethernet PHY. With low round-trip latency of 210 ns and deterministic latency variation of ±2 ns, the DP83826E enables designers to reduce system response time or add extra nodes in daisy-chained networks without increasing system size or cost.
Watch the VideoQuick-Pick Design Solutions
Many Verified Solutions
Our innovative embedded processing products, system expertise, and easy-to-use design tools help engineers deliver the digitalization of systems to enable smarter, safer, and more efficient factories. We help you design what’s next in industrial sensing, control, communications, functional safety, and power management.
REFERENCE DESIGNS
Multi-Protocol Industrial Communications
Industrial Ethernet for Industrial Automation exists in more than 30 industrial standards. Some of the well-established real-time Ethernet protocols, like EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Sercos III, and PowerLink require dedicated MAC hardware support in terms of FPGA or ASICs. The Programmable Real-time Unit inside the Industrial Communication Subsystem (PRU-ICSS), which exists as HW block inside the Sitara processors family, replaces FPGA or ASICS by a single chip solution.
Download the Reference DesignsREFERENCE DESIGNS
EtherCAT® Reference Design on Sitara AM57x Gb Ethernet and PRU-ICSS with Time Triggered Send
The TIDEP0079 reference design demonstrates an EtherCAT® master interface running on the Sitara™ AM572x processor using the EC-Master stack from acontis. This EtherCAT master solution can be used for EtherCAT-based PLC or motion control applications. EtherCAT master is profiled on both the Ethernet switch and the PRU-ICSS Ethernet ports of the AM572x processor to give designers flexibility to use any of the two switch ports or four PRU-ICSS Ethernet ports on the device.
Download the Reference DesignsREFERENCE DESIGNS
Ethernet/IP Communications Dev Platform
Targeted for Ethernet/IP slave communications, this development platform allows designers to implement Ethernet/IP communications standards in a broad range of industrial automation equipment. It enables low footprint designs in applications such as industrial automation, factory automation, or industrial communication with minimal external components and with best in class, low-power performance. This TI Design was done on the TMDSICE3359, but can also be done on the TMDXICE110.
Download the Referene Designs