Factory automation needs better Ethernet

Factory automation needs better Ethernet

The factory automation sector has seen massive changes due to rapid digitalization and increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, technologies that require the exchange of significant amounts of real-time data. FA systems must move this data not just rapidly but predictably.

In the industrial environment, machine tools call upon edge computers that incorporate machine-learning algorithms to process video and other sensor data in real time to confirm the tools are working correctly. This significantly loads the networking that connect the elements.

Automotive-style zonal architectures are appearing in industrial systems. However, the challenge with these architectures is ensuring that distributed applications using shared network infrastructure can achieve the same real-time performance as systems based on a more traditional architecture where individual SoCs were able to implement all required functions and just exchange sensor data over dedicated fieldbuses or deterministic networks.

To address this issue, new Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) protocols for Ethernet will allow the use of high-speed networks for real-time applications. TSN Ethernet standards include IEEE 802.1AS, the Generalized Precision Time Protocol (gPTP), which defines timing and synchronization behavior for Ethernet in TSN environments, and the IEEE 802.1Qbv standard, which adds enhancements to allow traffic to be sent according to a strict schedule.

Toshiba’s TC9562 and TC9563 Ethernet controllers are important elements for building reliable TSN support into industrial control systems. Both are highly integrated with full support for gPTP, IEEE 802.1Qav, IEEE 802.1Qbv, and other elements needed for reliable real-time communications where high bandwidth is a key requirement. The TC9562 provides support for 1Gbps Ethernet and is highly suited to industrial automation environments. The TC9563 extends the networking capability to two ports, each able to support 10Gbps, further confirming its suitability for industrial systems where there is a requirement for sharing large quantities of video or high-speed sensor data with AI-enabled edge-computing systems.

Download Toshiba’s whitepaper here:

Download the Whitepaper

Subscribe to our Newsletter

A modular method for high power charging design
Technologies such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) where the battery in an electric vehicle (EV) returns power to the grid at times of high demand, or simply powers a home in an emergency are bringing challenges to designers of vehicle chargers
Designing for efficient heat pumps
There is little doubt that heat pumps are going to make a significant contribution in the push for net-zero.
A different way to design high power charging solutions
Due to a combination of consumer demand and governmental policy to halt sales of new internal combustion engines (including in hybrid vehicles), all-electric battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are the future of personal mobility
Magnetic isolation or traditional approaches?
Galvanic isolation is required in an increasing number of systems and products, especially those that contain high and low voltages and those that operate in electrically noisy environments.
EV switching – photorelays deliver convenience and reliability
No risk of contact welding or wear out of device
Packaging & Configuration Advances Help Augment SiC Device Operation
Though the attributes that make silicon carbide (SiC) have undoubted value to the future of power system design, it is not just about what goes on within the semiconductor substrate itself.
Integration of SBDs into SiC MOSFET Devices
Whether they are silicon-based or use silicon carbide (SiC) technology, MOSFETs will experience switching losses that are caused by their body diodes.
Exploring SiC MOSFET Figure of Merit (FoM)
The on-resistance (RDS(ON)) of a MOSFET is an intrinsic property that causes static power losses and depends upon the inner structure of the MOSFET.
Enhancing Efficiency and Reliability with Wide VGSS and High Vth Ratings
The voltage applied between the gate and source of a MOSFET during operation is denoted ‘VGS’ and the highest possible value of VGS that can be applied without damage is VGSS. This is important as it simplifies design of the control circuit.
The Switching Benefits Derived from Using SiC
Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are able to deliver much more impressive switching characteristics than their silicon-based equivalents.
Taking a New Approach to Understanding SiC
Over recent years, there has been a lot of talk throughout the power electronics industry about the exciting performance attributes offered by silicon carbide (SiC). Though there is plenty of information available on this subject, finding a way of translating it into what this actually means for engineers’ designs has still proved difficult. Consequently, many engineers are still reluctant to migrate from the conventional silicon (Si) technology that they are already very familiar with. Unfortunately that means that they are missing out.
Photorelays are the best choice for EV BMS applications
Smaller size, greater reliability and no risk of contact shorting
Making PWM IO Adjustment in Motor Drivers More Streamlined
Implementing a sensor-less brushless DC (BLDC) motor arrangement has several key advantages.
Correct drive for IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs enhances control and protection
The importance of switching devices is growing as many applications (such as EVs and renewable energy) rely on attaining previously unachievable levels of efficiency.
Controlling Vehicle Door Mirrors with Current Sensing Diagnostics Included
Controlling motors is probably one of the first more advanced output-type applications, once they’ve mastered controlling LEDs, that most engineers tackle when learning to program microcontrollers.
Time sensitive networking for automotive applications
Modern automobiles have been called ‘computers on wheels’, reflecting just how technology-laden they have become.
Isolating I2C designs with optocouplers
I2C was only designed and intended for low-latency board-level communication, meaning that latencies between isolated circuits must be carefully considered.
Will 10Gbps alone be enough to support automotive data transfer requirements? - Exploring a new architectural approach
A key focus within the automotive sector is implementation of more effective in-vehicle networking infrastructure with elevated data rates being needed.
Photorelays support mechanical relays in EV BMS applications
Supporting mechanical relays – reduce risk of contact stick and weld together
I2C Bus Interface – An Overview
When it was devised four decades ago, the inter-integrated Circuit (I2C) interface was designed as a serial bus system for short-distance communication between microcontrollers and on-board peripherals.
Toshiba’s smart gate drivers simplify driving of high frequency MOSFETs
While it is possible to design a fully featured gate driver with discrete components, it is rarely the best approach in terms of parts cost, design effort, assembly time, and board area required.
Integration of Superior SoC Solutions into Zonal Automotive Networks
The conventional networking arrangement used in vehicles has been for the constituent electronic control units (ECUs) to be assigned specific individual functions.
Photorelays support mechanical relays in EV BMS applications
Mechanical relays are often a good choice for EV applications as they are able to deal with the high voltages that are found in many use cases. However, one significant concern is if the contacts weld themselves together, risking a permanently ‘on’ condition that could clearly be extremely dangerous.
Why continue to use brushed DC motors?
At a first glance it seems reasonable to want to replace brushed motors with brushless DC (BLDC) motors that offer greater performance and extend battery life
Innovative bi-directional EV charging
There is significant effort being made to develop next-generation charging infrastructure to support electric vehicles (EVs).
Implementing More Effective In-Vehicle Network Infrastructure
For decades automotive networking was dependent on protocols like CAN and LIN. Unprecedented demand for elevated data rates has led to the widespread adoption by automobile manufacturers of Ethernet interconnection technology. This offers orders of magnitude increases in the bandwidth that can be supported. It is not just a matter of raising speeds though. Other aspects now need to be addressed.
Engineers favour SiC devices for bidirectional DC-DC converters
With electric vehicle (EV) chargers delivering up to 22 kW in AC and up to 350 kW in fast DC chargers, several hundred Watts of energy can easily be dissipated as heat.
Applying a Better Approach to Servo Drive Implementation in Next Generation Robotic Systems
Servos are what enable robot movement to be initiated - with six of them usually incorporated into modern robot arms, and even more being needed for mobile AGV units and suchlike.
Flexible integration is key for brushed DC motors
Brushed DC motors have many vital roles to play in modern vehicles. In fact, the 6.5% CAGR predicted by Data Bridge Market Research for these devices will be predominantly driven by automotive applications.
New bidirectional 3-phase PFC reference design speeds up the development of EV charging solutions
With hundreds of millions of electric vehicles (EVs) being deployed in the next two decades, providing a comprehensive charging infrastructure is critical. Equally critical is the efficiency of these charging points.
Bidirectional charging is an essential part of a renewable future
Synchronizing renewable energy generation to peak demand times is proving challenging and raising concerns for future renewable grids.
Implementing Advanced Servo Operation in Robotic Designs
Greater reliance on robots seems to be a certainty in the years ahead.
Game-Changing SiC-Based Reference Design for EV Charging
Electric vehicles (EVs) are now a major focus for power electronics endeavour, with a large proportion of engineers involved in finding ways to improve their performance and extend their range.
Transforming the Factory Floor - The Increasing Prevalence of Robotics and the Need for More Efficient Servo Technology
We are moving into an age where far greater degrees of automation will be witnessed.
Enhancing Automobile Audio Networks via Ethernet-AVB
Automotive Ethernet has the capacity needed to support data transfer rates that are orders of magnitude higher than legacy CAN/LIN-based in-vehicle networking protocols.
A More Effective Integration Strategy within Automotive Brushed DC Motor Systems
Brushed DC motors have a vital role to play in modern automobile design, being used in relation to a broad range of different functions.
TSN Signifies the Start of New Era in Industrial Automation
Highly complex synchronised industrial processes cannot accept data hold-ups, as these may have far-reaching implications.
Why Designers are Looking to SiC for Bidirectional DC-DC Converters
With pressure to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and other polluting energy sources, electrical energy becomes the preferred choice.
Accelerating EV Charging System Development: New PFC Reference Design Proves Invaluable Tool
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads is set to increase dramatically in the years ahead, with 323 million of them being in use by 2040 (according to a study compiled by analyst firm Wood Mackenzie).
Making Servo Drives More Efficient in a Robotic/AGV Context
With all of us currently still living in what is a socially-distanced post-COVID world, the need for an automated approach to things remains very much apparent.
Migration to Automotive Ethernet and the Opportunity to Enhance In-Vehicle Audio
While in the past there have been a variety of different data transport technologies that cars have relied upon, there is growing impetus for in-vehicle network infrastructure to be consolidated
Streamlining DC Motor Implementation and Elevating Efficiency Levels in 10A-Rated Automotive Applications
Though the pervasiveness of brushless DC (BLDC) motors is increasing all the time within a wide variety of different sectors, in an automobile context the value of brushed motors still remains clear.
Developing Servo Drives for Next-Generation Robotics
Last year the robotics technology market, which deals with all the hardware and software components needed for building robots, was estimated to have a total worth of over $60 billion.
A Range of Motor Control Devices for Every Application
Incredibly, one of our DC motor control devices has been in production for more than 40 years, coming to market on the wave of the emerging home video market and VHS recorders. Since then, motor technology and the semiconductors used to control them has changed significantly. A push for higher efficiency coupled with deeply integrated system-on-chip (SoC) solutions means that brushless DC motors (BLDC) can deliver more performance in a smaller package.
Importance of TSN in Fulfilling Next Generation Industrial Automation
Over the last decade we have seen the widespread deployment of Ethernet connectivity within the industrial engineering sector. Since 2018 the market share for newly installed nodes in factory automation show a larger share for Industrial Ethernet protocols comparing to traditional field bus protocols.
Facilitating Servo Drive Development in Robots and AGVs
Going back many generations, our society seems to find the subject of robotics unusually enthralling. Rudimentary automatons have been around since before the Renaissance, becoming increasingly popular during the 18th and 19th centuries and also more complex in their design.
Futureproofing vehicles – cameras and displays
Technology is being introduced to vehicles at a pace that has never been seen before and, while the latest vehicles have impressive and extensive features, they run the risk of becoming ‘behind the times’ very rapidly. One area that has changed significantly recently is the provision of fully configurable screens in vehicles. While many vehicles have had a single screen for the satellite navigation and infotainment for some time, it is becoming increasingly common that the instrument cluster is now a fully configurable display. In high-end vehicles there is often a third screen that replaces all (or most) of the buttons, knobs and switches.
Stepper, DC or BLDC – There’s a Solution for Every Application
Controlling motors is probably one of the first more advanced output-type applications, once they’ve mastered controlling LEDs, that most engineers tackle when learning to program microcontrollers.
Bringing the backing track of motoring into the 21st century
Audio in the vehicle is almost as old the automobile itself. Chrylser offered a Westinghouse radio for their vehicles back in the 1920s but at the time the radio would have been as rare as the car itself, bearing in mind it was priced at about half of the vehicle’s cost.
Can Ethernet help with a weighty automotive challenge?
If the person on the street was asked to list the three heaviest components of a conventional car, it is likely that the engine and chassis will come to mind immediately. In today’s world of electric and hybrid vehicles, chances are that the battery may also be proffered as an option. But it unlikely that they would consider the bundles of wires and connectors to be included on such a top-three list. As anyone involved in the automotive industry knows, not only is the cable loom one of the heaviest parts of a vehicle, it is also one of the three most expensive too.
Displaying automotive’s best side in the vehicle
Climbing into the most recent models of vehicle, the internal surfaces seem to spring to life with color and light. It becomes immediately clear that video cameras and displays are an essential part of the new in-vehicle experience. And we’re not just talking about multimedia here. Navigation systems and deep integration with smartphones is a starting point, but it extends to side mirrors implemented with cameras, or a full 360° view around the vehicle, that go beyond the traditional reverse-parking camera.
A simple solution to the challenges of Automotive Ethernet audio systems
Generic multimedia automotive head units are built around large, capable system-on-chip (SoC) processors. Over time, with the move to CDs and the introduction of DAB+ radio, together with mobile connectivity and smartphones, these systems have grown to be large and complex products. However, located centrally in the dashboard of most vehicles and wired to speakers and microphones around the vehicle, the topology has largely stayed the same. This inevitably limits the room to improve the in-vehicle multimedia experience.
Is Automotive Ethernet the next revolution in in-car audio?
In-car audio has been around for just about as long as the car itself. It was back in the 1920’s that a radio receiver from Westinghouse was offered as an upgrade for Chrysler vehicles. Costing around half the price of the car itself, it was certainly a luxury. Since then, entertainment in the vehicle has developed beyond recognition, essentially turning it into a smartphone on wheels. USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity allow almost any device to be used as an input to the audio system and deliver more music than can be played during an entire journey.
How MOSFET technology will boost the effectiveness solar energy installations
According to market analysis conducted by IHS, by the end of this year the world’s total installed photovoltaic capacity with be over 310GWatts - that is 8 times what it was at the start of the decade. GlobalData predicts by 2025 this capacity will have more than doubled again, reaching 652GWatts. With demand for solar technology continuing to grow, and the conversion efficiencies of photovoltaics still relatively low (though gradually increasing), there is an ongoing need to minimise the power losses of the supporting electronics (and thereby make full use of the converted energy).
Next generation MOSFET technology takes on the challenges of the automotive sector
Today the average vehicle will have in the region of 60-70 (electronic control units) ECUs and high-end luxury models can easily possess 150 or more. The increased quantity of electronics content has, in itself, a variety of serious implications for engineering teams, while external forces are also influencing certain key aspects of automobile design.
In search of a quieter life - combatting noise and vibration via innovations in motor control
To meet the pressing need for elevated levels of energy efficiency, the conventional direct current (DC) motors incorporated into electric fans, domestic appliances, air conditioning systems, office equipment and such like, have over time been replaced by more sophisticated three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motors. This has enabled compliance with the stringent international environmental guidelines that have now emerged, as well as helping to reduce the size of utility bills.
Satisfying Automobile Industry’s Demands for More Effective Motor Control Solutions
The prevalence of electric motors in automotive designs is increasing considerably, as a substantial proportion of modern vehicles’ functionality is migrated away from traditional mechanical implementations towards modern streamlined electronic implementations - in order to reduce weight and thereby improve fuel economy. Among the areas where electric motors are now seeing widespread deployment are in fuel/oil/water pumps, exhaust gas recirculation systems and electric power steering systems.
Why Ethernet Holds the Key to Data Hungry Automotive Infotainment
The role of the car is changing. Until now, it has been a means of getting from A to B in style, safety or speed – depending on the car you select. Increasingly, intelligent infotainment systems are making the car an extension of their owner’s digital lifestyle – keeping them connected to social media and email while on the move as well as facilitating easier, smoother and more efficient journeys by being connected to traffic reports and weather information.
Bridging video interfaces to automotive SoCs with image enhancement capability
Getting into the latest vehicles, especially premium offerings, it is striking to see the number of displays being used. Not only has the center console made way to a large display for general interface needs and infotainment, the dials of the dashboard and even wing mirror functionality are moving to color displays too. Features such as reverse parking, camera-based wing mirrors, and 360° surround vehicle view depend on camera feeds that can handle the wide dynamic range of both daytime and nighttime driving conditions.
What benefits will Automotive Ethernet deliver to vehicle cable harnesses?
The typical cable harness in an average automobile is the third heaviest item as well as being the third most expensive to manufacture. Only the chassis and engine, for internal combustion engine-based vehicles, weigh and cost more. With vehicles moving to hybrid and all-electric drivetrains, weight reduction remains high on the list of required improvements. However, this cannot be achieved with innovation in conductor material weight alone: it requires a fundamental change in the E/E architecture to reduce the number of networking topologies in use.

Innovation Centre Top

Application Posts

Product Group Posts

A new window will open