Networks & I/O

shutterstock_2636172993
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is using whatever network gets its data where it needs to go on time
Source: Costa Farms and Opto 22
Figure 1: Experimenting with lighting and temperature at an indoor test garden, Costa Farms grows 1,500 varieties of houseplants on a total of 5,200 acres at production facilities in the southeastern U.S.
Grower implements standardized PLC and SCADA without specialized expertise, and transfers data without user intervention
Electrical wires with cable ties isolated on white background
Tom Burke of CPLA shows how Unified Name Space (UNS), MQTT, OPC UA and other frameworks can streamline communications
Dripping tap with drop form lines and triangles, point connecting network on blue background. Illustration vector
Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority relays flowmeter and other data to edge devices and software that recommend energy-saving combinations
Internet, business, Technology and network concept.
How to avoid cybersecurity risks when incorporating IIoT into your network
Source: Profibus Nutzerorganisation and Jim Montague
img_3747
Profibus Nutzerorganisation exhibits 14 different Ethernet-APL products at Hannover Fair 2025
Network ethernet cable locked with padlock isolated on white background.
How Ethernet-APL technology improves plant safety and efficiency with 10 Mbps communication speed and simplified parameterization, while ensuring compliance with cybersecurity...
Source: ODVA and Jim Montague
Figure 1: ODVA’s exhibit at Hannover Fair 2025 included a demonstration of five present or prototype Ethernet-APL devices, including Vegapuls 80 GHz radar level transmitter from VEGA, and StoneL Axiom position indicator from Valmet. They were joined or accompanied by two APL field switches from Phoenix Contact and Pepperl+Fuchs, and two PACs from Rockwell Automation and Schneider Electric.
ODVA and Rockwell Automation demonstrate how Ethernet-APL’s common interfaces let switches, controllers work with transmitters and indicators.
Electrician connects a high-power cable to an industrial socket panel, performing setup tasks related to electrical installation and temporary power distribution systems.
Phoenix Contact explains how Ethernet-APL’s operating profiles provide electricity safely
Source: Pepperl+Fuchs and Jim Montague
Figure 1: In a recent demonstration at Hannover Fair 2025 in Germany, Pepperl+Fuchs showed how its FieldConnex Ethernet-APL Ex ia intrinsically safe (IS) rail field switch with eight, 16 or 24 APL ports and its web-based interface work with Endress+Hauser’s Cerabar PMC 71B transmitter and Samson’s Trovis 3797 valve positioner, which both have the interface built in to communicate via Ethernet-APL with the communication protocol of any switch or controller that supports it.
Pepperl+Fuchs shows how Ethernet-APL field switches can work with transmitters, positioners and other components.
Three high red roads join the Viadrutz
Yokogawa shows how wireless and AI can bridge edge and cloud computing, and how ENEOS Materials uses FKDPP to give operations greater independence