Design for Industrial Networks
Design Services for Industrial Networks
Helping our clients implement their projects, we develop software and design hardware required for the successful deployment of industrial networks: fieldbus solutions, protection and control systems, tools for data acquisition and analysis, network controllers and sensors.
Industrial Communication Networks
In manufacturing, industrial networks enable data transfer between sensors, controllers and actuators; they also ensure communication with PLCs and the upper level of SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition).
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Our Design Solutions for Industrial Networks
Analysis and data acquisition systems (DAQ)
Automation and visualisation systems
Network controllers
I/O systems and PLCs
Industrial Internet/
Industry 4.0 solutionsHMIs and IPCs
PC cards
Sensors
Our Tech Stack for Industrial Communication Networks
ODVA: EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, CompoNet
OpENer (OpENer is an EtherNet/IP stack for I/O adapter devices) | EtherNet/IP Client (asynchronous, non-blocking, EtherNet/IP client implementation for Java) | EIPScanner | CIPster Ethernet/IP Stack in C++ | EEIP.NET (Ethernet/IP compatible library for .NET implementations)
Modbus RTU/ASCII/TCP/Plus
libmodbus, PyModbus, EasyModbusTCP.NET, eModbus, tokio-modbus, freemodbus
PI
PROFIBUS, PROFINET, PROFINET RT, PROFINET IRT, PROFINET via TSN
FieldComm Group
HART, HART-IP, WirelessHART
POWERLINK
openPOWERLINK_V2
CC-Link
CC-Link, CC-Link IE
SERCOS
SERCOS III, SERCOS
Power Systems Networks
Our solutions for power systems help customers plan, scale, and upgrade their electricity networks.
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Our Design Solutions for Power Systems Networks
- Overcurrent protection
- Distance protection
- Line differential protection
- Compact remote terminal units
- Transformer differential protection
- Directional earth-fault relay
- Central control unit
- Grid calculation
- Combined protection and control systems
- OBS with combined protection and control
- Bay control unit
- Synchro-check
- Automatic voltage regulator
- Earth-fault and short-circuit indicator
- Process bus
Our Tech Stack for Power Systems Networks
Communications interfaces
IEC 60870-5-101, IEC 60870-5-102, IEC 60870-5-103, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 61850, IEC 61850-8-1 (MMS, GOOSE), HSR, PRP, IEEE, C37.94, C37.118, G.703.1, X.21, E1/T1, ISDN PRI/BRI, HDLC, RS232, RS485, Ethernet, IEC 62056 (DLMS/COSEM), DLMS/COSEM over LoRaWAN, MBUS, ANSI C12.18, ANSI С12.19, ANSI C12.21, GSM/GPRS/LTE/5G, LoRaWAN, Power Line Communication: PLC/PLC G3/G3-PLC Hybrid, IEC 62061, IEC 60870-6 TASE.2, SNMP
IEC 62056 (DLMS/COSEM)
dlms-cosem (Python library for DLMS/COSEM), cosemlib (C++ client/server DLMS/COSEM)
IEC 60870-5-101
& IEC 60870-5-104
lib60870, go-iecp5, lib60870.NET v2
IEC 61850
libIEC61850 (open-source library for the IEC 61850 protocols), IEC61850bean
C37.118
Open-C37.118 (IEEE C37.118-2011 Synchrophasor Protocol Resources)
SNMP
net-snmp, #SNMP Library, gosnmp
PLC
Power line communication: PLC/PLC G3/G3-PLC Hybrid
C37.94
Home/Building Automation Networks
Smart homes and buildings reduce resource consumption and operating costs. When deploying building and home automation, the systems involved are integrated into a centralised, managed network. We help our customers to design such networks and develop hardware and software components for their stable and secure operation, including AI-powered solutions:
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Here are the tasks that we can take on for such projects:
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Building and home automation
Lighting and emergency lighting
Access control
Intrusion alarm systems
Door entry systems
Smart buildings solutions
Our Building Automation Networks Stack
KNX
knx (knx stack), KNX.net provides a KNX API for .NET, KNX-ULTIMATE (Node-Red), KNXmap
BACnet
BACnet Stack (BACnet protocol stack library provides a BACnet application layer, network layer and media access (MAC) layer communications services), .NET library for BACnet, BACpypes
DALI
Digital Addressable Lighting Interface: python-dali — lighting control interface
EnOcean
Python EnOcean, ioBroker.enocean, enocean-js, node-enocean
LonWorks (LON)
lon4linux, LON Stack EX, Dialog’s IzoT ShortStack SDK
M-Bus (Meter-Bus)
libmbus
Other
OpenThread, Z-Wave, ZigBee
netX – Scalable Industry 4.0 Communication Platform by Hilscher
We use netX to build cutting-edge networks within the Industry 4.0 concept. This is a comprehensive software and hardware platform designed by our partner Hilscher. The netX chips for industrial networks are multiprotocol: they support all the leading Ethernet standards, so you can focus on deploying processes and applications, while netX ensures communication for flexible industrial networking.
The benefits of the Hilscher netX solutions:
Flexibility: their SoC family provide connectivity to all fieldbuses and real-time Ethernet networks.
Fast product launch thanks to a comprehensive software and hardware solution with an extensive ecosystem.
Ease of integration due to further technical support and development of necessary solutions.
Reliability of your investment: as a market leader, Hilscher guarantees long-term access to its products.
An Overview of Available SoCs from Hilscher
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| NETX 90 | NETX 51 | NETX 52 | NETX 100 | NETX 500 |
| Smallest Multiprotocol SoC | Network controller for fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet slaves with memory controller | Network controller for fieldbus and Real-Time Ethernet slaves | Network controller for Real-Time Ethernet and fieldbus master and slaves | Network controller for Real-Time Ethernet and fieldbus master and slaves with display controller |
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Other Hardware Platforms for Industrial Networks
EtherCAT
Texas Instruments: AM335x, AM437x, AM57x, AMIC110, AMIC120, AM654x, AM64x.
Infineon Technologies: XMC4300, XMC4800.
Microchip Technology: LAN9254, LAN9253, LAN9252.
ASIX Electronics: AX58400, AX58200.
Beckhoff: ET1100.
FPGA: AMD (Xilinx), Intel (Altera), Lattice, GOWIN.
IO-Link
STMicroelectronics: L6360, L6362A, L6364.
Renesas Electronics: CCE4502, CCE4503, CCE4510, ZIOL2201, ZIOL2211, ZIOL2401, ZIOL2411.
Maxim Integrated: MAX22514, MAX14829, MAX22520, MAX22515, MAX22513, MAX14828, MAX14819, MAX14827A, MAX14838, MAX14839, MAX14836, MAX14826, MAX14832, MAX14820, MAX14824, MAX14821.
Profinet
Texas Instruments: AM335x, AM437x, AM57x, AMIC110, AMIC120.
FPGA: AMD (Xilinx), Intel (Altera), Lattice, GOWIN.
Siemens: ERTEC 200, ERTEC 200P.
Profibus Slave
Texas Instruments: AM335x, AM437x, AM57x, AMIC110, AMIC120.
FPGA: AMD (Xilinx), Intel (Altera), Lattice, GOWIN.
Profichip: PA002005 | VPCLS2, PALF2009 | VPC3+S, PALF2012 | VPC3+S, PALF2030 | VPC3+CLF, PALF2080 | VPC3+CLF3.
EtherNet/IP
Texas Instruments: AM335x, AM437x, AM57x, AMIC110, AMIC120.
FPGA: AMD (Xilinx), Intel (Altera), Lattice, GOWIN.
HART
ON Semiconductor: A5191HRT, NCN5192, NCN5193.
Analog Devices: AD74115HN, AD5700, AD5700-1.
Profibus Master
Texas Instruments: AM335x, AM57x.
FPGA: AMD (Xilinx), Intel (Altera), Lattice, GOWIN.
PLC (Power line communication)
STMicroelectronics: ST8500, STCOM, ST7580.
Texas Instruments: AFE031.
Renesas Electronics: R9A06G061, R9A06G037.
HSR/PRP
Texas Instruments: AM335x, AM437x, AM57x, AMIC110, AMIC120.
FPGA: AMD (Xilinx), Intel (Altera), Lattice, GOWIN.
Microchip Technology: KSZ9477, LAN9371, LAN9372, LAN9373.
ARROW: Flexibilis XRS7003E, Flexibilis XRS7004E.
KNX
STMicroelectronics: STKNX.
ON Semiconductor: NCN5121, NCN5130, NCN5110, NCN5120, NCN5140S.
BACnet
Renesas Electronics: NEURON6050, FT6050.
LON
Renesas Electronics: ROUTER5000, NEURON6050, FT-ROUTER5000, FT6050.
Our Cooperation Models
Flexible approach to suit your current needs
Dedicated Team
We will form a team to fit your specific engineering task. You are free to manage it and provide additional resources.
Project-Based
We can join you at any stage or take on the entire project, including our management and risk control.
Fixed Price Model
This contract fixes the price so that it does not depend on resources used or time expended by our engineering team.
Time and Material
A T&M contract is the best option for your flexible set of tasks that are difficult or impossible to fix and assess in advance.
Our Case Studies in Industrial Automation
Do you need software development or hardware design for industrial networks?
Drop us a line about your project! We will contact you today or the next business day. All submitted information will be kept confidential.
FAQ
What are the most common protocols used in industrial networks, and what are their advantages and disadvantages?
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1) EtherNet/IP is a widely used, open standard that supports real-time control and information exchange.
- Advantages: high-speed, reliable, interoperable.
- Disadvantages: may not be suitable for low-latency applications.
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2) Modbus is a widely used, simple and robust protocol.Â
- Advantages: widely supported, low cost.
- Disadvantages: limited functionality, may not be suitable for high-speed applications.
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3) PROFINET is widely used in automation as a fast and reliable protocol.
- Advantages: high-speed, real-time capabilities, standardized.
- Disadvantages: it may be complex to implement; it may not be suitable for small systems.
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4) CANbus is widely used in industrial and automotive applications.
- Advantages: low cost, low latency, and highly reliable.
- Disadvantages: limited data capacity, may not support high-speed communication.
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5) EtherCAT is a real-time Ethernet-based industrial network protocol.
- Advantages: high-speed, real-time, low latency, flexible topology.
- Disadvantages: limited support compared to other industrial networks; it may be complex to implement.
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6) SERCOS III is a real-time communication standard for industrial automation.
- Advantages: high-speed, real-time, deterministic, highly synchronized.
- Disadvantages: it may not be as widely supported as other industrial networks; it may have high implementation costs.
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7) CANOpen is widely used as an open communication protocol for industrial automation.
- Advantages: low cost, simple to implement, widely supported, flexible.
- Disadvantages: limited data capacity, it may not support high-speed communication.
What are the challenges of integrating legacy systems into modern industrial networks?
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- Compatibility issues between old and new systems.
- Difficulty in integrating diverse protocols and communication standards.
- Lack of real-time capabilities in legacy systems.
- Challenges in upgrading and maintaining old hardware and software.
- Data compatibility and integration issues.
- Cybersecurity risks associated with integrating outdated systems.
- Limited technical expertise and support for legacy systems.
What are the latest trends and developments in industrial network technology?
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- Ethernet APL.
- Increased use of wireless and cloud-based communication.
- Development of real-time and deterministic industrial Ethernet protocols.
- Greater emphasis on cybersecurity and data privacy.
- Development of open-source and standardized industrial networks.
- Increased use of edge computing and fog computing in industrial automation.
- Adoption of Industry 4.0 and IoT technologies.
How can industrial networks be integrated with other enterprise systems, such as ERP and SCADA?
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- Use of standardized communication protocols such as OPC-UA.
- Integration of MES (Manufacturing Execution System) and SCADA.
- Use of middleware and gateway solutions for data transfer and communication.
- Integration of cloud-based platforms and services.
- Use of APIs and web services for data exchange between systems.
- Adoption of open-source software and technologies.
- Implementation of data management and data integration strategies.
How can industrial network security be improved to protect against advanced persistent threats and cyber-attacks?
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- Regular software updates and patches.
- External network access restrictions.
- Use of firewall and VPN solutions.
- Local area network of process control systems.
- A well-thought-out choice of wired solutions.
- Implementation of strong authentication and access control measures.
- Encryption of sensitive data and communications.
- Regular monitoring and testing of the network for vulnerabilities.
- Use of intrusion detection and prevention systems.
- Adoption of security best practices.