As the advancement of technology drives faster ethernet connectivity within industrial 4.0, 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) connections can transmit 10 billion bits of data every second. Put simply, the more bandwidth that is available, there are benefits for faster data transmissions between devices and machines. 10GbE connections provide industry 4.0, and the IIoT applications additional benefits for faster connectivity and lower latency. In addition, the demand for faster Gigabit Ethernet networks continues to fuel the development of high-speed industrial communication infrastructures and data telemetry systems within industrial applications. In this blog, we will understand the impacts of 10Gb Ethernet in Industry 4.0 and its benefits.
What is 10 Gigabit Ethernet?
10 GbE or 10 Gigabit Ethernet is one of the fastest types of ethernet, consisting of a group of networking technologies that transmits data frames at a rate of 10 Gigabit or 10 billion bits every second. It was first specified by the IEEE 803.3ae-2002 standard to define the physical layer (physical connection) and data link layer's media access control (MAC). But along with the continuous adaptation, IEEE 802.3an-2006 finally released the 10GBASE-T standard connection that has been widely used until recent days.
What is Full-Duplex Mode? Made for Reliable Network Connection
A 10 Gigabit Ethernet operates in full-duplex mode, allowing communication networks to simultaneously communicate in both directions between 2 connected parties. Therefore, 10Gigabit Ethernet does not need Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) to detect collisions that might happen along with transmissions. Full-duplex operate by utilizing twisted copper pairs inside the cable that is connected to the network device to receive and send data simultaneously. As a result, the full-duplex operation allows faster data transfer throughput speeds, preventing network bottlenecks and high network performance.
How Fast is 10Gb Ethernet?
Over the years, the adoption of 10 Gigabit Ethernet has increased exponentially to meet the growing network demands from households to industrial applications. However, 1Gbps Ethernet with a transfer rate of 125MB/s is now facing bottlenecks to transmit the constantly growing data. Therefore, the 10Gb Ethernet network allows data transfer rate up to 1.25 GB/s to significantly enhance network speed in mission-critical applications. In fact, 10GbE has even surpassed the bandwidth of WiFi-6 that owns a maximum speed of up to 9.6Gbps - allowing it to be one of the fastest forms of internet connectivity for industrial computers.
What does 10GBASE-T Mean? - The Standardized 10GbE Connection
10GBase-T is a 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard that was released in 2006 by the IEEE organization that provides 10 Gbit/s connections over twisted-pair of copper wires. In addition, it offers 10Gbit/s connections and is known for its reliable and blazing-fast connection speed. Now, the 10GBase-T dual-port module is widely used among industrial systems because it uses the RJ-45 modular connectors that have been widely used within the ethernet networks, making it the easiest and best option for industrial applications. Additionally, the 10GBase-T ethernet standard allows a wide range of cables to choose from, usually based on the distance covered by the ethernet and its port, such as cable cat6, cat 6a, and cat7.
What type of Cables Do I Need for 10 Gigabit Ethernet?
Credits: FS Community Cat6 vs Cat6a vs Cat7 Cabling
There are three types of 10GbE cables that can be chosen from cat6, cat6a, and cat7. This cabling will be in charge of connecting endpoint devices such as PCs, WI-FI access points, and an abundance of IIoT devices. Cat6 and Cat6a are the two most common cables, while the cat7 is not as preferable to the two other cables. To explain further, cat7 has a very impressive standard, but it is not an IEEE-based standard and uses a GG45 connector instead of the common RJ-45 ethernet connector. As a result, cat7 cable compatibility has made it hard to be widely used in the industries.
Cat6 and Cat6a cables are often being compared to each other and are known for their reliable speed. Cat6 can run up to 1000Base-T ethernet at speed up to 1000Mbps to a maximum of 100 meters. But with the 10GbE's 10Gbase-T standard, a cat6 cable can only reach a maximum of 35 to 55 meters, depending on the interference in the environment. As a result, cat6 is not the best when compared to cat6a. Cat6a, on the other side, provides the improved noise-canceling capability and a higher level of Power Over Ethernet (PoE) output while maintaining its performance. PoE is used to deliver power and transmit data towards the endpoint devices. PoE devices are growing exponentially along with the adaptation of industry 4.0 and IIoT – for example, surveillance cameras, intelligent lighting, and monitoring sensors for automation all support optional PoE devices. Therefore, cable cat6a is the best choice so far; not only does it allow connection up to 100 meters (height of a building), it is also shielded with a thicker conductor that helps dissipate excess heat generated, which help to increase the cable’s lifespan in industrial-grade deployments.
Learn More About Power Over Ethernet (PoE)
Why Use 10GbE for Industrial 4.0?
Industry 4.0 is the digital transformation of manufacturing processes thanks to the advancement of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. Automated processes and robotics have overtaken the manufacturing processes to achieve higher throughput and more reliable results in a shorter amount of time. As more industries convert to industry 4.0, they start to experience network bottlenecks and demand for faster network connections. Therefore, networking technology must evolve to handle the increasing data volumes. 10GbE provides a fast and reliable backbone for connecting different systems, machines, and thousands of sensors. As a result, with a 10GbE network, industry 4.0 has been greatly benefited as it provides real-time data transmissions that allow seamless, high-bandwidth machine-to-machine and factory communications networks.
What are the Benefits of 10GbE in Industrial 4.0?
Seamless Connectivity
Industrial applications require numbers of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller) or DCSs (Distributed Control System), data bus, and ethernet protocols. With that much connectivity, 10 Gigabit Ethernet is needed to enhance interoperability between machines. As a result, 10Gigabit Ethernet provides seamless data transmissions within the machines and act as the gateway to the internet access points to enable communication outside the industries.
Deterministic Communication
Many industrial applications are time-sensitive applications that require real-time and low latency operations. Therefore, 10 Gigabit Ethernet that operates in full-duplex mode enables reliable two-way communications where data can be sent and received on both connecting devices. Hence, network latency can be significantly reduced to allow seamless connection and prevent failures during operations.
High-Bandwidth Communication
As technology continues to grow, the number of devices in industrial enterprises increases, which means higher demand for more bandwidth. Ethernet connectivity has been growing alongside technology advancement. Therefore, now with 10 Gigabit Ethernet, it can support emerging data-intensive technologies, such as machine learning, autonomous robotics, and machine vision applications. As a result, enterprise networks will support the 10Gigabit Ethernet connections across its infrastructure.
Applications of 10GbE in Industry 4.0
As mentioned before, 10 Gigabit Ethernet operates in full-duplex mode and utilizes ethernet cable cat6a to allow simultaneous data and power (PoE) transmissions with a single network cable. Therefore, 10 Gigabit Ethernet is in great demand, especially in industrial applications, such as:
- Robot Automation: ensure reliable and high processing speed between the sensors, cameras, and actuators
- Security and Surveillance: two-way communications and Power over Ethernet simplify CCTV camera applications in security and surveillance.
- Manufacturing Plants: ensure communication between the machine controller and sensors/actuators in a production line.
- Smart Agriculture: main control cabinet to control the whole agricultural system. It also connects to office level and machine control.
Premio Industrial Computers that Support 10GbE Applications
Premio 10GBase-T dual-port module
Here at Premio, we provide various industrial 10GbE computers to meet specific industrial requirements based on the applications and workloads. To provide modular flexibility for a variety of applications, we offer the 10GBase-T dual-port module for quick 10GbE upgrades. Let's check out the computers:
Small Form Factor Computer | RCO-3000-CFL
RCO-3000-CFL series is our newest series that comes up with a 10 GbE module and is built specifically to operate in harsh industrial applications. In addition, it is the smallest form of computer that supports the 10 Gigabit Ethernet module, and it has a dimension of 7.56" X 7.76" X 2.39". RCO-3700 comes with an Intel Coffee Lake R processor, ideal for medium to heavy level workloads. Here are the key features of RCO-3000-CFL:
- LGA 1151 socket for 8th/9th Gen Intel ® Core ™ i7/i5/i3 Processor
- 1x Universal I/O Bracket (10GbE, LAN, PoE, M12, USB)
- -25°C to 60°C Operating Temperature
- 2x Full-size Mini PCIe, 1x M.2 E-Key
- Triple Independent Display
In-Vehicle Computer | ACO-6000-KBL
The ACO-6000-KBL series 10GbE industrial computer is explicitly built for in-vehicle applications. In addition, this includes rugged M12 connectors that enable locking connection to secure the computers for mobile industrial workloads that experience shock and vibration. The ACO-6000 comes with a powerful 7th Gen Intel Kaby Lake processor. Here are the key features of ACO-6000:
- Intel ® 6th and 7th Gen. Intel ® Core ™ i7/i5/i3 Processor
- 2x Universal I/O Bracket (10GbE, LAN, PoE, M12, USB)
- -25°C to 70°C Operating Temperature
- 3x Full-size Mini PCIe
- Triple Independent Display
High-Performance Industrial Computer | RCO-6000-CFL
The RCO-6000-CFL series is a high-performance 10GbE industrial computer with powerful computing solutions that supports the 9th Gen Intel Coffee Lake processor. This series is suitable for heavy computing workloads and lightning-fast speed with the support of 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Here are the key features of RCO-6000-CFL:
- LGA 1151 socket for 8th/9th Gen. Intel® Core™ i7/i5/i3 Processor
- 1x Universal I/O Bracket (LAN, PoE, M12, 10GbE, USB, 5G)
- Triple Independent Display
- 2x Full-size Mini PCIe, 2x SIM Socket
- -25 °C to 70 °C Operating Temperature
Why Premio?
Premio is a global solutions provider that has been designing and manufacturing top-notch industrial computers for over 30 years in the United States. Our solutions are designed to operate reliably and optimally in the most challenging environmental conditions. Moreover, Premio's 10 Gigabit Ethernet computers are specifically built to withstand extreme environments while maintaining robust performances with high-processing CPUs that enable 10 Gigabit Ethernet network connections. In conclusion, Premio offers the most high-end computing solutions and custom solutions for our customers. If you need assistance finding the best industrial 10GbE computing solutions, don't hesitate to contact us. One of our industrial computing professionals will assist your best industrial computing solution based on your specific needs.
