High-Efficiency Industrial Networking with the SPE

With the advance of Industry 4.0, industrial environments require high-performance networking solutions that can cover extended distances while simplifying infrastructure. Our team developed a Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) board featuring a Texas Instruments MCU, tailored to industrial communication needs.

This board utilizes an integrated Ethernet MAC interface and leverages SPE as the physical layer, providing an efficient and long-range solution for modern industrial applications.

The Challenge

Traditional industrial networks often rely on complex multi-wire cabling, leading to challenges such as increased signal degradation over longer distances and high installation costs. The industry needed a solution capable of maintaining robust, high-speed data transmission over greater distances without adding infrastructure complexity or cost.

The Solution

Our SPE board integrates the TI MCU’s Ethernet MAC and uses SPE as the physical layer, resulting in a streamlined, long-distance networking solution. Key features include:

• Integrated Ethernet MAC: By using the MAC within the TI MCU, the board reduces the need for external components, saving space, power, and simplifying the design.
• Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) Physical Layer: SPE enables both power and data to be transmitted over a single pair of wires, supporting cable lengths up to 1,000 meters. This feature significantly reduces infrastructure costs while extending the network’s reach, a crucial advantage for sprawling industrial sites.
• Industrial-Grade Design: The board is built for durability, ensuring stable operation in harsh environments typical of industrial settings, such as extreme temperatures, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference.

Implementation

Our SPE board was tested in industrial environments to validate its performance over extended cable lengths. By utilizing SPE as the physical layer, the board offers seamless integration with existing Ethernet-based systems, allowing cost-effective, long-distance data transmission with minimal cabling.

Results

The deployment of the SPE board yielded several notable benefits for industrial applications: 

• Extended Network Reach: With the ability to support cable lengths of up to 1,000 meters, SPE reduces the need for additional repeaters or infrastructure, ideal for large-scale industrial sites.
• Simplified Cabling and Installation: SPE’s single-pair wiring minimizes installation time and reduces cabling bulk, offering a cleaner and more efficient setup.
• Enhanced Reliability: Leveraging the integrated MAC and SPE as the physical layer, the board ensures stable, low-latency data processing across extended distances.

Conclusion

Our SPE board, featuring a TI MCU with integrated Ethernet MAC and SPE as the physical layer, provides an innovative networking solution for industrial environments that require extended reach and simplified infrastructure.

With reduced cabling needs, robust performance, and the ability to cover up to 1,000 meters, this solution addresses critical challenges in modern industrial communication, aligning with Industry 4.0 standards. The accompanying 3D model of the board visually demonstrates its compact, durable design, underscoring its value in long-distance, high-performance industrial networking.