Page 95 - Industrial Plants

and provide the pathway for migrations
and upgrades to Ethernet-APL for
brownfield installations.

Migration and plant upkeep: The
switches can handle two different physical
layers: Ethernet-APL and Manchester Bus-
Powered (MBP) for PROFIBUS PA. The
switch automatically detects and adapts to
the communication of the field device. This
is Pepperl+Fuchs patented technology and
a real differentiator. If the device provides data via the product and is equipped with highly efficient electronics
PROFIBUS PA protocol, the switch translates it to for superior thermal management. This is a key
PROFINET according to standardized PROXY ingredient for long service life and enables a large
technology. This enables mixed architectures via a number of field device ports as well as the high-
single infrastructure! Renovation and upgrades can be performance switch architecture.
done smoothly. The parallel operation of Ethernet and
Fieldbus technologies saves investment costs by Communications Layers: The ISO-OSI model defines
maintaining the installed base of equipment. specific tasks for different communication layers.
Functions in each layer can interact with any other layer
Diagnostic: FieldConnex APL field switches monitor in a standardized way. Example: This allows for a
the quality of the physical layer. The switch detects a switch to interconnect and transmit all data over
weakness or fault immediately, warnings and alarms at different types of Ethernet.
the control system provide an overview, and a
webserver on the switch provides the details. This Users consider all layers as one building block.
enables users to intervene in a targeted, planned, and Therefore, when they refer to PROFIBUS PA or HART
demand-oriented manner often before critical failures or FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1, this includes how the
can occur. This ensures maximum safety for people data is represented (layer 7) and shown on the screen,
and the environment, while at the same time ensuring address settings (layer 2) as well as anything from the
high plant availability and optimized effort. The flat physical layer (layer 1) from cables to connectors to
network infrastructure enables access to diagnostics explosion protection. This is because existing
and configuration in parallel to and independent of the technologies such as HART or Fieldbus define both.
control system. This prepares the ground for digitally- Ethernet-APL defines the physical layer only. This
driven, automated work processes that are economical allows transmission of an Ethernet-based protocol.
and safe. This protects people and avoids faults from Communication to the field is seamless as it is all
unintended actions. Ethernet-APL provides the data
that enables users to reduce risk, simplify design,
accelerate deployment, increase asset optimization,
and thus reduce the total cost of ownership.

With FieldConnex® Ethernet-APL Switches, users
can drive the digital transformation with data from the
field of their process plant. Data-driven plant operation
enables operators to continuously and permanently
leverage optimization potential.
Ethernet APL Rail Field Switches from FieldConnex®
are the first of its kind on the market. It is a ruggedized

INDUSTRIAL PLANTS - May 2022
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