Single-Pair Ethernet is one of the most important topics of the future. To give this technology a solid foundation, a total of seven industrial technology leaders have joined Single Pair Ethernet Industrial Partner Network e.V.

November 2019 – At the SPS 2019, the seven industrial technology leaders came together for an official photo. Harting, TE Connectivity, Hirose, Würth Elektronik, Leoni, Murrelektronik and Softing IT Networks have launched an open partner network called SPE Industrial Partner Network for companies actively promoting single-pair Ethernet (SPE) for the rapidly growing IIoT market. The SPE cooperation presented at the Hannover Messe 2019 is now significantly expanded.

Single-Pair Ethernet is the infrastructure foundation that makes the IIoT and Industry 4.0 possible. The strong partnership of technology leaders is in favor of the T1 Industrial interface according to IEC 63171-6 as a unified Media Depended Interface (MDI) defined by ISO / IEC JTC 1 / SC 25 / WG 3 and TIA42 in 2018. For the reliable establishment of the entire future SPE ecosystem, standards for transmission protocols, cabling and device components are also jointly supported. Therefore, all members of the Partner Program as well as ISO / IEC JTC 1 / SC 25 / WG 3 are in close exchange and intensive cooperation with IEEE 802.3 and IEC SC46C for uniform transmission standards and copper data cables.

For future users, this organization is the first point of contact for all questions and concerns about the construction of SPE networks and devices. The information channels provide users with news and information. Thus, the partner network provides transparency and clear recommendations for the development of future IIoT applications and is also a central information and exchange platform for interested parties.

The companies in this partnership are pooling their technological expertise in order to ensure a standardised infrastructure for devices, connectors, cables, and measurement technology.

Development of the Single Pair Ethernet began in the automotive industry, where the trend towards developing smaller and better performing devices is clear to see. Future-oriented technologies such as autonomous vehicles require a connection technology that enables the high-speed transmission of data with a very small structural footprint. Other industries can also benefit from this approach.