ASERCOM explores new ethernet technology

BELGIUM: The European refrigeration component manufacturers’ association, ASERCOM, has joined forces with leading technology companies to develop standards, requirements and recommendations for the application of single pair ethernet technology.

Single pair ethernet (SPE) is an emerging technology that addresses the challenges of growing demands for energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and controllability in the digitalisation of industrial processes.

SPE enables both data transmission and power supply over a single twisted pair of copper wires. In contrast to conventional ethernet, which uses four wire pairs, SPE allows for a more compact and resource-efficient infrastructure. 

ASERCOM is partnering with the Single Pair Ethernet System Alliance (SPESA), a global network of 90 leading technology companies, to enable the joint development of standards, requirements, and recommendations for action. The aim is to establish the conditions necessary for an interoperable, cross-manufacturer implementation in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

Limits

As the networking of intelligent components increases and the desire for seamless IP-based communication grows, traditional fieldbus systems are reaching their limits. A gap often remains between the IT world and the field level, which currently has to be bridged using Remote-IO, media converters, repeaters, gateways and parallel cable paths. 

SPE eliminates this technical fragmentation and brings ethernet communication directly to the sensor or actuator – with minimal cabling effort. For the first time, it becomes possible to implement standardised IP structures from the cloud to the inside of the device.

This not only simplifies planning but also reduces potential sources of error. Furthermore, many security and communication standards from the IT domain can be applied directly. 

Certificate-based encryption, role-based access models, and update options via the network are already well established today – and with SPE, they can now also be implemented at the device level. At the same time, smaller connectors and a smaller number of wires enable more compact devices and simplified installations.

The technology is said to open up new possibilities for refrigeration and air conditioning manufacturers in design, integration and networking. Operators could also benefit with systems becoming more transparent, easier to control, and more maintenance friendly.

“The technology originally derives from the automotive sector and is already widely used there. The opportunity now lies in unlocking its potential for building automation – and, beyond that, for refrigeration and air conditioning technology,” said Dr Christian Ellwein, head of ASERCOM’s Electronics Working Group.

“It’s important to choose the right technology in order to be future-proof and avoid duplicating effort across multiple systems. That is why it is crucial for ASERCOM to get involved at an early stage – this can save a lot of development work.”

The importance of SPE is explained by SPE System Alliance spokesperson Simon Seereiner: “SPE is not just another technology – it is the key to the industrial communication architecture of the next decade. It radically simplifies networks while simultaneously raising security standards to a new level.”

Initial results of the partnership will be presented at the SPE Forum in the autumn.