IEN: What are the major concerns facing providers of computer technology, networks, and related products and services? How can they be addressed?
Mehta: Industrial environment is not the same as the commercial environment. Different environmental requirements such as extreme temperatures, high dust, moisture, vibration, and EMC limit the use of current products that are readily available in the market. Lack of specification for connectivity and communications in an industrial environment has caused providers to develop products that are not based on open standards. The providers who are interested in developing proper interfaces are either forced to wait until a standard is created, or they have to be willing to make changes to the existing product interface as standards are defined.
ODVA has taken an active role in creating and managing an open standard for Industrial Ethernet. They have already created specifications for connector interfaces and core requirements for devices. They are in the process of creating specifications for Ethernet cable in the industrial environment.
IEN: What innovations are in store for users in computers and computer accessories, I/O, communication standards, and/or systems? In software?
Mehta: Products and solutions that can withstand an industrial environment are being created. Several companies have released Ethernet devices that meet the international protection, IP67, requirements (IEC 60 529) against mechanical shocks, foreign bodies, humidity, dust, water, oils, etc.
IP67 connectors and switches provide the ability for decentralized control and communications. Management of different processes can be done locally while status and updates can be provided on demand. Decentralized networks simplify installation, modification, and management of a system while isolating any potential problems from impacting the entire network. Decentralized networks not only provide better connectivity in the industrial environment, but they also provide an opportunity for increased productivity by enabling faster integration and better maintenance.
IEN: What advances do you see in networks, and network equipment and devices?
Mehta: As Ethernet standards and specifications for the industrial environment start getting defined, more and more suppliers will start manufacturing and modifying products to be compliant. Having an open interface like Ethernet will increase competition. Barriers to entry will be greatly reduced because with minimum cost, suppliers can provide products that address several different industrial segments. Currently there are several different fieldbus communication methods like DeviceNet, ProfiBus, and ModBus that are used in industrial markets. For suppliers to create a product that can be used in different industrial segments, they have to create several different interfaces supporting different fieldbus standards. Introduction of Ethernet will allow suppliers to minimize the development cost by maintaining only one communications interface.
As Ethernet is introduced down to the factory floor, improved communications and improvement in data collection will provide manufacturing and process control efficiencies. Redundancy, quality of service, and security improvements will be implemented.
Open standards will help drive down the product price and increase competition. As an example, the introduction of Ethernet-based standards for broadband cable in the last few years has helped dramatically reduce the cost of network equipment and devices. Increasing competition while encouraging more feature-rich applications did this. It is very likely that same paradigm will be created for the industrial environment as standards get defined and products get certified.
IEN: What are the R & D hotspots, and which R & D areas are closest to commercialization?
Mehta: Connectivity of Ethernet and device survivability in a factory environment have to be the first steps in commercialization of Ethernet networks. Several suppliers have already introduced products that are IP67 rated. Companies like GM have made a commitment to deploy Ethernet down to their factory floor. Success of their deployment will help convince the industry of the advantages of Ethernet.
IEN: Can the limitations of wireless technology be overcome?
Mehta: While wireless technology provides two major benefits -- ease of installation and location flexibility -- wireline is perceived to provide better signal security and is not subject to interference. People believe that wireline systems provide higher reliability, are less costly, and can manage higher bandwidth. Companies are already running wires to devices for power, so more and more of them are looking at options where power and signal can be transmitted using the same connector and cable. Integrated power and signal network would reduce the number of discrete cables on the plant floor but would still provide the advantages of a wireline network. The benefits of a wireline network in an integrated (power and signal) system outweigh the advantages of a wireless network where there is high risk of interference.
IEN: Can 24/7 preventive or predictive monitoring be assured in Ethernet-based systems?
Mehta: Yes. If you look at telecommunications networks, most of them are managed and monitored using Ethernet-based technologies. Reliability, redundancy, quality of service, and recovery rates are dominant factors in telecommunications. If some of the most critical communications systems can be monitored using Ethernet, why can''t the same method be used in industrial environments?
With the popularity of Ethernet in commercial and educational environments, it is clear that the technology is here to stay. Standards like ODVA''s Ethernet/IP are being expanded to enable devices to communicate deterministically in real time. As more providers introduce products that comply with these requirements, their popularity on the factory floor will increase.
IEN: How much progress has been made in preventing software and hardware debugging issues? Installation challenges?
Mehta: ODVA is currently in the process of creating specifications for Ethernet devices in the Ethernet/IP standard, which is also addressing connectivity and installation challenges. It has identified two types of connectors: circular M12 (4 pin) and RJ45 with IP67 protection. Ethernet/IP will also take the responsibility of certifying products that comply with their standards. For companies, this will greatly reduce the burden of compliance and interoperability of different hardware and software product provided by different suppliers.
IEN: What advances do you see in open standards and data sharing?
Mehta: The biggest advantage of having an open standard is that it promotes competition, lowers cost, and creates a more feature-rich portfolio of products for the industry. ODVA and other standards bodies are actively working with suppliers to create specifications for more deterministic and real-time communications. This will enable companies to use Ethernet-based systems for all functions and will ease data flow up to the management level.
Different standards bodies are also working together to create a global homogenous standard for industrial Ethernet that would allow suppliers to manufacture products that would comply to standards globally. This will further promote competition and as a result, companies will have a choice of products and services of higher quality.