The Rise of Ethernet / IP in the Industrial Sector

In the rapidly evolving world of industrial automation, Ethernet / IP has emerged as a front-runner. According to a comprehensive 2023 market analysis, Ethernet/IP now shares the top spot with Profinet as the most widely installed network in the industry.

This technology accounts for an impressive 18% of newly installed nodes, showcasing its growing influence and reliability. Particularly in the U.S. market, Ethernet/IP has established a strong foothold and dominates the sector with its advanced capabilities and robust performance.

Siemens’ Ground-breaking Development for Simatic Controllers

Historically, Siemens Simatic controllers lacked inherent support for Ethernet / IP field devices. This limitation meant that additional hardware, such as the Anybus converter, was essential for enabling communication via Ethernet/IP.

However, in a significant development in February 2022, Siemens released innovative function blocks for the TIA Portal environment. These blocks enable a Simatic PLC to operate as either an Ethernet/IP Scanner (master) or Adapter (slave), eliminating the need for extra hardware.

This advancement represents a major leap forward in simplifying and streamlining network communications within industrial settings.

Case Study: The Amgen US Project

Our involvement in the Amgen US project for Sartorius Stedim is testament to the effectiveness of these new Siemens function blocks. Initially, we conducted successful tests using an S7-1200 as the adapter and an S7-1500 as the scanner. Building on this success, we implemented a communication link between the Column Electrical Box (CEB) PLC (S7-1515-2 PN) and the Amgen DCS controller (Delta V PK controller).

This endeavour resulted in seamless, bidirectional data transmission. In this setup, the CEB PLC functioned as the adapter, while the Delta V PK controller operated as the slave. Notably, the PK controller featured a redundant node, to which the CEB PLC could seamlessly switch in the event of a communication failure with the first node.

Conclusion: A New Era in Industrial Automation

The integration of Ethernet / IP in industrial networks and Siemens’ breakthrough in controller technology mark the beginning of a new era in industrial automation. These advancements underscore our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation, ensuring our clients benefit from the most efficient, reliable, and advanced solutions in the market.