Ethernet-APL in complex plant environments.

Endress+Hauser, in collaboration with Covestro, BASF and Yokogawa, has conducted a further large-scale Ethernet-APL scalability test, extending validation to more complex and heterogeneous process automation environments. The test took place at Endress+Hauser Digital Solutions in Reinach, Switzerland in May 2026.

Building on earlier multi-vendor testing, the new setup expands the focus from instrumentation density to architectural breadth. For the first time, a Yokogawa CENTUM VP distributed control system (DCS) and Plant Resource Manager asset management system were integrated into a large-scale Ethernet-APL PROFINET test environment, alongside a broader combination of field devices, switches and network infrastructure.

Focus on architecture scalability under realistic conditions.
While previous tests confirmed Ethernet-APL readiness under full-load conditions, this one focused on scalability across more complex plant architectures. In addition to peak-load validation, the test scope was extended to include a multi-day stability test phase, assessing sustained network behavior under realistic operating conditions.

“The successful results of this fifth large-scale test give users confidence in the maturity, scalability and flexibility which Ethernet-APL offers in real-world, multi-vendor architectures,” said Karl Büttner, Advanced Expert Product Management at Endress+Hauser.

The test environment included:

• Multi-ring Ethernet-APL topologies
• A broader mix of infrastructure components
• Cross-vendor system integration including DCS, switches and field devices
• Validation of asset management access across multiple rings using a private VLAN architecture

Interoperability was validated across:
Distributed control system (DCS)
• Yokogawa CENTUM VP and Plant Resource Manager (PRM)
Field devices
•Endress+Hauser APL field instruments
•Samson APL field positioners
Ethernet-APL switches
•R. Stahl APL field switch for Ex Zone 1
•Softing APL field switch
•Phoenix Contact APL field switch
•Pepperl+Fuchs APL field switch
Network infrastructure components
•Hirschmann switch with private VLAN for asset management to ring access
•Siemens SCALANCE switches as Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) manager 

Multi-vendor integration extended.
The successful integration of the Yokogawa CENTUM VP system broadens the scope of validated DCS environments for Ethernet-APL. At the same time, the inclusion of additional infrastructure components, including Ethernet-APL switches and higher-level network elements, further demonstrates interoperability across a growing ecosystem.

Operator-driven validation.
With Covestro leading the test and BASF contributing prior test experience, two global chemical producers have now actively validated Ethernet-APL technology under scalable, realistic conditions.

This reflects increasing interest in Ethernet-based field communication to support digitalization initiatives that require consistent data access, system interoperability and lifecycle transparency.

"Ethernet-APL is a key element on our digital transformation journey – it extends high-speed communication into the field, unlocking the data transparency and connectivity needed to fully digitalize our operations. Taking an active role in this scalability test allowed us to validate the technology under conditions that closely reflect the complexity of our real production environments. The results give us greater confidence in the technology's readiness for deployment in large-scale industrial environments,” said Sebastian Mahler, Vice President, Head of Process Control Technology, Covestro.

“In 2023, BASF successfully demonstrated scalability with 240 PROFINET over APL devices connected in a single Ethernet ring, using ten field switches and control systems from ABB, Honeywell, and Siemens. Emerson was added in 2025. With the successful completion of the latest tests, we can now confirm that Yokogawa also demonstrated scalability in 2026 as part of a test led by Covestro and conducted at Endress+Hauser in Reinach, Switzerland,” said Gerd Niedermayer, Senior E&I Engineering Manager at BASF.

Network setup overview.
Interoperability was validated across the control system layer, field devices, Ethernet-APL switches and network infrastructure components. The test setup included a Yokogawa CENTUM VP distributed control system (DCS) with Plant Resource Manager (PRM), Endress+Hauser APL field instruments and Samson APL field positioners, as well as Ethernet-APL switches from R. Stahl, Softing, Phoenix Contact and Pepperl+Fuchs. Network infrastructure components comprised a Hirschmann switch with a private VLAN for asset management access across rings and Siemens SCALANCE switches operating as Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) manager.

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@Endress_Hauser @Endress_UK @Endress_US @Yokogawa, @Yokogawa_EU, @Yokogawa_Europe @covestro @BASF #Comunications #Ethernet #PAuto

Stringent security requirements confirmed.

The SEMI E187 certification has been received by Antaira Technologies. This certification confirms that Antaira’s industrial network switch solutions meet the stringent security requirements of modern manufacturing.

LtoR: Kelvin Yen, IT Director of SGS Cybersecurity Lab
& Frank Hou, Global CEO of Antaira.

Kelvin Yen, IT Director of SGS Cybersecurity Lab and General Management Office, stated: "As the semiconductor industry’s cybersecurity requirements for equipment continue to escalate, SEMI E187 is emerging as a pivotal security benchmark for the global supply chain. Through third-party verification mechanisms, manufacturers can not only establish cybersecurity capabilities that earn market trust but also contribute to the security maturity of the entire industrial chain. SGS is honored to have assisted Antaira in completing this verification, as we work together to drive the implementation of these critical industry standards."

"Achieving SEMI E187 compliance is a testament to our ‘Resilience-first' engineering philosophy," said Frank Hou, CEO at Antaira Technologies. "We understand that in the semiconductor world, a single hour of downtime can cost millions. By securing the network layer, we are providing our partners with the hardened infrastructure they need to build with confidence."

In the fast-evolving world of semiconductor manufacturing, cybersecurity is a necessity for operational success. SEMI E187 is widely recognized as a key industry benchmark for equipment security, specifically focusing on how devices connect and communicate safely. By meeting these demanding requirements, Antaira provides a powerful defense for modern fabrication facilities through its certified industrial networking solutions. For fab operators, selecting SEMI E187-certified network devices represents a commitment to a secure networking backbone that safeguards sensitive data and maintains uninterrupted production.

Antaira’s SEMI E187-certified industrial Ethernet switches embed security at the architectural level and not as an add-on layer. By integrating SEMI E187 compliance directly into its core firmware development and lifecycle management processes, Antaira delivers a high-trust network environment where cybersecurity is intrinsic to every deployment within a semiconductor manufacturing facility.

Certified Antaira solutions feature:

• Validated Endpoint Protection — Every connection point across the facility is authenticated and hardened against unauthorized access.
• Secure-by-Default Configurations — Factory-default security postures eliminate misconfiguration vulnerabilities from initial deployment.
• Proactive Vulnerability Management & Long-Term Support Roadmap — Structured security patching cycles ensure network defenses evolve in step with the threat landscape.

As the global semiconductor supply chain faces increasing scrutiny over cybersecurity posture and vendor accountability, Antaira’s adherence to this standard, as it is phased in across switch models, establishes a transparent, verifiable security baseline across the manufacturing ecosystem. For system integrators, OEM partners, and fab operators alike, Antaira-certified infrastructure is the foundation upon which resilient, future-proof semiconductor production is built.

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@AntairaTech @SGS_SA @OConnell_PR #PAuto #Cybersecurity

Device communicator.

Faster, more precise communication to more devices with certified calibration, stronger security.

Emerson has redesigned its AMS Trex Device Communicator for easier, expanded and more intuitive use by field personnel. New hardware and software and increased security will make the newest version of the AMS Trex Device Communicator safer and more intuitive to use. Additional certifications and expanded connectivity will provide users with the capability to use the AMS Trex communicator for calibration activities, streamlining workflows and reducing the number of tools technicians need to learn and carry into the field.

The AMS Trex Device Communicator can connect to more than 2,500 field instruments from both Emerson and third-party manufacturers. As a result, many users wish to employ the AMS Trex communicator for calibration because they are familiar with the interface. However, legacy AMS Trex measurement tolerances were designed for reference rather than calibration, making them unsuitable for official calibration activities. As a result, technicians performing calibration typically needed to carry additional devices into the field, increasing complexity and requiring them to learn, manage and maintain multiple technologies.

The redesigned AMS Trex Device Communicator supports National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceability. Any measurements taken by the redesigned AMS Trex are NIST certified to ensure that measurement and sourcing of current are accurate enough for calibration activities.

“As more organizations embrace Emerson’s Boundless Automation vision for an architecture that seamlessly integrates the field, edge, and cloud, their maintenance and reliability teams will be able to manage more assets than ever before, driving a need for improved efficiency,” said Erik Lindhjem, vice president of Emerson’s reliability solutions business. “The new AMS Trex communicator can manage, configure and support field calibrations with a wide array of Emerson and third-party devices, helping teams make the most of their time and data.”

The redesigned AMS Trex Device Communicator also adds HART communication via Bluetooth®, which enables an extended application library and connectivity to Bluetooth devices in the field, expanding its use cases for maintenance and reliability activities. New security features on the platform also eliminate the risk that the device or the plant will be compromised by unauthorized software. The new AMS Trex Communicator features eight times the memory of its predecessor, as well as a quad-core processor and a new operating system that will look and function similarly to modern mobile devices.

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@EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Maintenance

Point to point configuration tool.

Migration path for users and vendors supporting modern intelligent device management and monitoring initiatives.

FDT Service Provider M&M Software released fdtCONTAINER® version 4.8, a point-to-point device configuration tool supporting the latest FDT 3.0 specification to meet user demands for modern intelligent device management and monitoring initiatives has been announced by the FDT Group. This release also includes updated developer tools which simplify the migration to FDT 3 systems and smart device DTMs for the vendor community.

“M&M Software is proud to be an FDT Service Provider offering invaluable advice and support to system and device suppliers interested in innovative system and device management strategies based on the FDT standard.” Says Pingsheng Xu, development manager for M&M Software. “We are thrilled that our product offerings now support the latest FDT (3.0) UE standard allowing users and vendors a seamless migration path for industrial device management modernization, providing new features supporting smart manufacturing projects.”

M&M Software’s FDT UE-ready product line includes: • OEM fdtCONTAINER application 4.8 – Free point-to-point device management and configuration tool supporting all DTM generations for users. • fdtCONTAINER component 4.0 (aka. FDT UE - Desktop Common Component) – The official component for integrating the FDT 3.0 interface and DTM runtime into an engineering application for system vendors with branded customizations and other value-add features. • dtmMANAGER development suite 4.0 – The comprehensive FDT 3.0 DTM development suite provides a simplified environment for device vendors to develop DTM’s allowing vendors to focus on the value-add device model features.

Smart manufacturing initiatives drive end users and suppliers of industrial automation systems and devices to seek modern and comprehensive device management solutions that use interoperable, efficient, and sustainable plug and play engineering tools. FDT, an IEC 62453 embedded software standard, normalizes device data and communication between any host and device. The standard rooted in the host and device environment provides users a single tool for intelligent device management, operation, diagnosis, and maintenance. The latest FDT 3.0 specification enables a FDT Unified Environment (FDT UE) for IT/OT data-driven operations via authenticated OPC UA, FDT UE and mobile clients.

FDT Group partners with leading service providers worldwide that assist companies interested in FDT-enabled product development. These organizations provide training and resources to educate customers about FDT (FDT 1.x and 2.x) and FDT UE (3.0), offer technical guidance on system and device integration, and help suppliers future-proof their system and device management strategy. Providers are updating their product offerings and development tools to assist next-generation architectures based on the FDT 3.0 standard designed to meet industry demands for modern intelligent device management and monitoring initiatives for the process and factory markets.

“Working closely with our service providers, such as M&M Software, reduces barriers for FDT product development for market entry,” says Steve Biegacki, FDT Group managing director. “The global industrial automation community has widely adopted the FDT standard, and M&M Software has been a key player for its acceptance by enabling multi-vendor support over multiple communication protocols while leveraging a common information model and user interface.”

@FDTGroup #MandM #PAuto #Communications

Middleware for next-generation factory automation.

Today's factory automation requires faster and more precise motor control, timely and seamless communication over Industrial Ethernet (PROFINET-RT, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, POWERLINK, OPC UA and TSN Time-Sensitive Networking for PROFINET CC-D / CC-LINKIE TSN) of next generation. 

Features: • Dual/Single Arm® Cortex®-R52 CPU core (max operating frequency at 800MHz) • Large tightly coupled memory (576 KB) eliminates execution time variability and realizes real-time deterministic responses • Improves the speed and precision control of AC servos by placing motor control peripherals on a low-latency peripheral connector accessible from the CPU • Supports EtherCAT®, PROFINET RT/IRT, EtherNet/IP™ and the next generation Ethernet standard TSN • User-friendly development environment, including Renesas Starter Kit for RZ/T2M • Extensive software package with RTOS, drivers, middleware and many other application examples

The combination of the GOAL middleware from port and the new generation RENESAS RZ/T2M TSN-enabled family offers a future-proof option to use all previously used real-time protocols and at the same time to retrofit TSN-based protocols such as PROFINET CC -D or CC-LinkIE TSN.

Port's GOAL middleware offers a uniform platform for the quick and easy integration of Industrial Ethernet protocols such as PROFINET RT with MRP, EtherNet/IP inc. DLR, EtherCAT (and more) and in the future PROFINET CC-D TSN and CC-linkIETSN. GOAL also offers an OPC UA extension that standardizes access to machines, devices and other systems in the industrial environment.

Port's GOAL middleware is supported by a powerful tool (ICC - industrial communication creator). Here, too, port offers a uniform tool for parameterization and administration of all GOAL-supported real-time extensions.

Port offers some examples for download, which can be tested on the EVAL platform "Renesas RZ/T2M RSK".

The RZ/T2M microprocessor (MPU) provides high-speed processing and high-precision control, improving real-time performance in factory automation. Equipped with a 3-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, the RZ/T2M can connect to the main industrial Ethernet multi-protocols and TSN in one chip. A functional safety system can be built using only one RZ/T2M MPU and one other MCU to monitor.

@PresseBox #Port #Pauto #Communications

Electronic product award.

Harting’s T1 Industrial has won the award for 'Passive and Electromechanical Product of the Year' at the Elektra Awards held recently in London.

Commenting on the award, Simon Asbury, Director of Sales and Marketing at Harting UK, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the Elektra Awards have recognised the innovative and visionary nature of the T1 Industrial and Single Pair Ethernet. We’re confident that this new technology standard will help to efficiently deliver the many benefits of Industry 4.0 to our customers and we’re looking forward to working closely with them as we develop further applications and solutions.”

Tim Griffin (centre), High Service Level Distributor Manager at Harting UK, with Kieron Murdock (left), Regional Vice President - Northern Europe at Avnet Abacus, and MC Ben Hamlin

The Elektra Awards recognise companies and individuals for their excellent performance, innovation and contribution to the global electronics industry and winning an award is seen as one of the most prestigious accolades a company or individual can receive.

With the T1, Harting has established a new technology standard which transmits data via Ethernet at speeds of up to 1 GBit/s with just one pair of wires, making it the perfect solution for Industry 4.0 and the IIoT.

Industry recognition for establishing this new standard highlights the immense potential of the new technology, which can supply both data and power in an IEC 63171-6 industry-standardised interface for Single Pair Ethernet (SPE).

SPE will be one of the key technologies that significantly shape the success of the IIoT. The factory of the future will require high data streams and the industrial sector needs connectivity which adapts itself to increasingly growing demands. The T1 Industrial brings Ethernet from the cloud to every sensor, thus enabling the IIoT.

#PAuto @hartinguk @HARTING

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See also Test product of the year!

Router & data gateway supports MQTT.

The IIoT gateway – eWON Flexy (all models including the new Flexy 205) from HMS,  now supports Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol – a simple and lightweight messaging protocol aimed at minimizing network traffic and device resource requirements.

Initially created in 1999 to help oil and gas distribution firms control their pipelines effectively, MQTT has recently seen increased popularity because of the exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the need to facilitate communication between low-powered smart devices.

MQTT is essentially a publish/subscribe protocol aimed specifically at low-powered embedded devices. MQTT targets low-powered embedded device environments where resources are scarce.

One of the upsides of using the MQTT protocol with eWON Flexy includes the ability to resume operations from any breakpoint without data losses. In addition, during network interruptions, data can be buffered until network communication is resumed and a client device reads the data. This not only prevents data loss, but also allows customers to manage the information flow to network nodes.

Designed to facilitate the transmission of large volumes of data to numerous servers and client devices constrained by low bandwidth, high latency, or unreliable networks, MQTT is ideal for dynamic communication environments. As the name indicates, the main purpose of the MQTT protocol is telemetry, also known as remote monitoring.

Several eWON Flexy users have already seen the benefits of this protocol and started to integrate it into their projects. One of them, W2W Solutions shares how they extend the life of their customer’s transformer using MQTT.

@ewonrouters #PAuto 

Communicating with BACnet or KNX.

Two new gateways connecting factory automation equipment to building automation systems – Anybus Modbus to KNX gateway and Anybus Modbus to BACnet gateway, have been released by HMS Industrial Networks. The new gateways enable industrial devices using Modbus to communicate on building systems using KNX or BACnet.

As BACnet and KNX are increasingly being used in buildings and infrastructure installations, there is an increasing demand for integrating industrial devices that communicate on Modbus into these networks. Therefore, HMS now presents Modbus-to-KNX and Modbus-to-BACnet gateways, which act as translators, allowing Modbus RTU, ASCII and TCP-devices to show up as individual KNX or BACnet-compliant devices in a building automation network. This enables central KNX/BACnet control and supervision of Modbus devices such as drives, HVAC controllers and measuring equipment in building installations.

Making system integration easier
“These new Anybus gateways give system integrators and facility owners more flexibility as they can now integrate Modbus devices in KNX or BACnet systems as well,” comments Christian Bergdahl, Product Marketing Manager at HMS. “The gateways are also a good fit for machine builders who want to offer their products to the Building Automation market. Building Automation is a fast-growing sector and we see a lot of demand for connecting industrial devices to building systems for supervision and control. Accordingly, we are very happy to be able to offer these two gateways, adding to the over 300 Anybus gateways already available for system integration.“

How the gateways work
The gateways offer a very straight-forward integration process. Modbus RTU slaves are connected to the serial port of the gateway, while Modbus TCP devices are connected to the Ethernet port. On the KNX or BACnet side, the gateways appear as simulated devices in the KNX or BACnet system.

Configuration is made in the Windows-based Anybus Configuration Manager (MAPS) tool. Commissioning and troubleshooting is also made also using this tool.

@HMSAnybus #PAuto 

Industry 4.0 an industrial communications.

Harting  is showing its range of Industry 4.0 solutions, incorporating Modular Integrated Computer Architecture for industrial networking, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems at next month's Industry 4.0 summit (4th-5th April 2017 Manchester GB)

Harting’s approach to smart manufacturing is grounded in the addition of intelligence to manufacturing processes with the aim of achieving a high level of connectivity, visibility, awareness, and adaptability at all stages in the supply chain. By enhancing users’ processes with RFID technology, Harting makes it possible to implement solutions that deliver real profitability gains without the need for re-engineering already proven, stable manufacturing processes.

Their Integrated Industry/IoT systems involve the use of RFID based technology to collect manufacturing data which can then be analysed and “operationalised”. This allows production lines to be adjusted, maintained, or re-tooled, based on live, accurate, production information that assists in creating a competitive advantage in complex markets.

At the Industry 4.0 Summit, Harting will demonstrate a practical implementation of these concepts developed for Tritec Systems Ltd., a leading British control systems integrator. Tritec’s integration solution is built around a simple industrial HMI equipment interface, and enables rapid and easy integration of RFID with PLC control systems. To minimise the need for customisation Tritec needed a range of RFID readers that could be deployed in a wide variety of situations and yet communicate over standard networking interfaces and protocols. The company chose Harting's wide range of RFID products because they are suitable for use in almost all industrial and commercial application areas including manufacturing, transport, infrastructure, stock/asset tracking and many others.

Also featured is Harting’s capability to allow manufacturers to integrate together the two key manufacturing IoT elements machine-to-machine communications and manufacturing logistics. This is through its new open-source industrial computing device known as MICA (Modular Industrial Computing Architecture). MICA can save, evaluate and process data from sensors, and can then either act as a stand-alone offline computer that can make local decisions, or operate as a gateway via the internet to allow access to a higher-level IT system.

“By applying both of these innovative Harting solutions - passive UHF RFID and MICA technology - production line manufacturing managers can monitor the condition status of key machinery in real time for material supply chain management or preventative maintenance issues”, comments Howard Forryan, Product Marketing Specialist: “They can then carry out continuous control adjustments through the separate simple, compact and reliable computing device which provides secure access to the main operating software system to maximise process efficiencies. As a consequence, users can achieve important productivity gains.”

MICA operates with open architecture software, allowing it to be easily customised. Software applications run in Linux-based containers which hold all the necessary libraries and drivers. As a result, there should be no concerns over data security when MICA is allowed access to a higher-level production operating network.

New connectivity products shown by Harting include a range of sensor/actuator boxes which allow sensors to be quickly and easily connected to passive distributor boxes using standard M8 and M12 slots. With a choice of 4, 8 or 10 slots, the sensor cables no longer have to be drawn from the sensor into the control cabinet, but only to the local, application-led distributor box. The rest is taken care of by a master line to the control cabinet.

By using the new sensor/actuator boxes, users will save both time and money. Installation is much quicker, and costs are reduced because fewer lengths of cable are needed between the sensor and the control cabinet.

@Harting #Pauto #industrie40

Wireless Sensor Connection.

The new WIS 2 (Wireless Inductive System 2) is an ideal way for Pepperl+Fuchs to round off its portfolio for the wireless connection of sensors to moving machine parts with a higher-performance system, according to a statement.

The WIS 2 is used both for signal transmission and for supplying power to the sensors connected to the secondary side, making wear-prone trailing cables and slip rings redundant. The WIS 2 supports ratings of up to 12 W over transmission distances of 0...7 mm compared to the WIS 1 with a maximum of 1.5 W and 0...5 mm, which has been available for years. In addition to the 8-channel design, a streamlined 2-channel variant is now also available for small applications with up to two sensors.

All system variants use a primary and a secondary transmitter, either for two or for eight channels. They come in size M30 in a cylindrical design and fitted with 30 cm cables and M12 connectors as standard. Since the transmitters are not paired, the secondary transmitters are freely interchangeable. As a result, for example, any number of different tool carriers can easily communicate via the same system. Inductive, capacitive, optical or ultrasound models with binary switching output and standard 3-wire connection technology are suitable as sensors. Whereas the 2-channel system uses a space-saving Y-splitter, the 8-channel system has an 8-way connector box with an IP67 degree of protection that can be installed up to 20 m away from the transmitter. Pepperl+Fuchs provides a wide selection of cable lengths and connectors for every application.

The WIS 2 has numerous potential applications in rotary tables, presses and change tools, for object detection on workpiece carriers, on rotation tools, robot gripper arms and all similar devices.

• Pepperl+Fuchs products are marketed in Ireland through Insteco.

@PepperlFuchsUSA  #PAuto

M-Bus to Modbus.

New gateway from HMS Industrial Networks enables M-Bus data from measuring devices to be monitored from Modbus-TCP networks.

M-Bus (Meter-Bus) is a widely used communication standard for measuring devices. It is predominantly used in buildings, for example in electricity meters, gas meters, water meters or other types of consumption meters.  By getting data from these measuring devices onto a PLC or SCADA system, users can get a total overview of their energy consumption, including building parameters which previously had to be checked separately.

How the gateway works
The Anybus M-Bus to Modbus TCP gateway decodes M-Bus telegrams and maps meter values to Modbus registers. Mapping and configuration is done in a web-based configuration tool allowing the user to set up the gateway without any programming. It is possible to connect up to 20 M-Bus slaves and enable them to communicate on a Modbus-TCP network.

Connectivity to more networks with Anybus X-gateways
The solution can be extended by pairing the M-Bus gateway with an Anybus X-gateway Modbus-TCP, making it is possible to connect M-Bus devices to most industrial networks. Versions are available for CANopen, CC-Link, ControlNet, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU, PROFIBUS and PROFINET.

Making energy savings possible
"We see a substantial market for this solution," says Niklas Selander, Product Manager at HMS. "Many industrial companies are currently trying to optimize their energy consumption. Their production lines are often connected to some kind of industrial network, but building parameters such as electricity, water, gas etc. are usually monitored on separate M-Bus systems. With our new solution, we enable plant owners to analyse and optimise their energy usage from PLC´s on Modbus-TCP and other networks."