Nya referensramar för seriell konnektivitet:

Del I – Lång livslängd

I en tid av digital transformation måste industriella kommunikationsnätverk vara mer tillförlitliga och säkra än någonsin. Samtidigt innebär de förändrade kommunikationsbehoven att infrastrukturer behöver moderniseras inom olika branscher. Medan vissa redan har anammat moderna kommunikationsprotokoll, står många företag inför utmaningen att uppgradera sina befintliga system för att hänga med i utvecklingen. Seriell konnektivitet, som länge har varit en hörnsten inom industriell automation, spelar fortfarande en avgörande roll i att länka samman äldre system med moderna digitala lösningar.

Under denna övergång är det särskilt viktigt med säkra och hållbara lösningar för seriell konnektivitet, särskilt inom sektorer såsom energi, infrastruktur, transport och tillverkning. De utmaningar som dagens industrier ställs inför kräver en ny standard för seriell konnektivitet, byggd på tre grundläggande principer:

– **Lång livslängd:** Förlängning av befintliga seriella system och förbättring av deras funktionalitet

– **Anpassningsförmåga:** Integration av en ny design med en uppdaterad miljöpolicy och förbättrad interoperabilitet

– **Cybersäkerhet:** Modernisering av seriella system för att kunna kopplas till cyberresistenta nätverk

Denna nya standard skapar förutsättningar för företag att framtidssäkra sin industriella kommunikation och kan säkerställa en smidig övergång till digitaliserade arbetsflöden.

Läs mer i Moxas whitepaper som du kan ladda ner som pdf-fil här, eller fortsätta läsa nedan.

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A New Standard for Serial Connectivity: Longevity, Adaptability, and Cybersecurity in Industrial Networks

– Part I: Longevity –

By Ken Lee &  Simon Chen

Product Managers, Moxa

 Introduktion

In the era of digital transformation, industrial communication networks need to be more reliable and secure than ever. What’s more, evolving communication demands necessitate infrastructure upgrades across industries. While some are embracing new infrastructure with modern communication protocols, the majority must modernize their legacy systems to keep up. Serial connectivity, a long-time cornerstone of industrial automation, continues to be vital

Challenges arising in modern industries mandate a new serial connectivity standard based on three key principles.

• Longevity: Extending existing serial systems and enhancing their lifespan
• Adaptability: Integrating a new design with an updated green policy and improved interoperability
• Cybersecurity: Upgrading serial-based systems so that they are ready to be connected to

In a series of white papers, we explore the importance of long-lasting, secure serial connectivity solutions. These solutions must adapt to new digital infrastructures while integrating with existing systems. Amidst increased hyperconnectivity, they enable data- driven, value-creating applications like digital twins and industrial edge AI. These technologies optimize industry efficiency and outcomes, shaping the future of industrial communications.

This series also highlights the need for a trusted serial partner that adheres to these standards.

This white paper explains why industrial applications still favor serial connectivity solutions, emphasizing the need for long-term support for serial infrastructure to maintain efficiency and prevent costly disruptions. Hence, choosing a reliable vendor with robust obsolescence management, flexible design architecture, and certification resilience ensures long-term stability in an ever-changing technological landscape.

Why Industrial Applications Still Favor Serial Connectivity

The design of industrial systems prioritizes durability and long-lasting performance. While consumer-grade technology is evolving at a rapid pace, with new generations emerging yearly, industrial equipment and systems typically operate for five to 15 years or more, ensuring operation stability and financial return of investment. Field-proven, stable systems usually run for an extended lifetime. Integrators of industrial systems, therefore, must prioritize longevity when selecting components for their solutions. Despite the rise of new communication technologies, serial communication (RS-232/422/485) remains essential in many industrial applications because of its simplicity, flexibility, and affordability.

Three Aspects for Continued Use of Serial Connectivity

These three aspects have solidified the crucial role of serial communication in connecting field equipment, underscoring its relevance in the market. The diagram above and the table below show application value changes across different scenarios over time.

● Multi-drop topology (RS-485): multiple components on the fieldbus
● Serial-to-Ethernet conversion to save IP
addresses ● Simplified cabling compared to Ethernet star-shaped topology
● Less complexity in IP address planning ● Circuit breaker in switchgears
● Water plant sensors (flow, pH)
A larger scale of field connections with limited wiring ● RS-485
communication distance extends up to 1,200 m
● RS-485 operation requires a minimum 2- wire twisted-pair ● Large-scale sites see lower costs for extending communication distances
● Existing wiring can be leveraged to reduce costs and eliminate high-
overhead rewiring ● Factory system upgrade: Uses existing wiring
● Pipeline transmission gauges monitoring in large-scale sites
Cost-effective system (if performance is sufficient) ● Lower component unit cost
● Well understood with lower risk in system integration ● Stable cost structure with optimized component cost
● Lower TCO and save integration cost
overhead ● Existing machinery that runs properly
● Sensors in FMCS/HVAC
systems