Industrial system cabling - the backbone of Integrated Industry
High-performance cabling represents the backbone of Integrated Industry. It provides fast, reliable data interchange, enables the exchange of large data volumes and ensures the comprehensive networking of all areas of industry, from the industrial manufacturing to the back Office.
Such requirements result in clearly identifiable development priorities for data network technology. In the foreground is the demand for higher performance, meaning ever higher transmission bandwidth for network infrastructure. However, an additional aspect is present with regards to industry – the network must function reliably in all environments and under all mechanical and chemical influences. High temperature fluctuations, extremely harsh environmental conditions, humidity, dryness and mechanical influences must not impact the network’s operational reliability. Interfaces also need to be harmonized in order to reduce data transfer times and minimize potential sources of error. This is achieved through a high degree of standardization in hardware and software. A third element is the increased independence of the network infrastructure from specific applications, i.e. the generic deployment of the infrastructure.
Developers at HARTING Technology Group are hard at work on these three aspects, i.e. performance, standardization and generic deployability. Last but not least, HARTING is actively participating in shaping the international standardization of data network technology. Here, HARTING experts are involved in national and international bodies such as the ISO/IEC.
Structured cabling portfolio
HARTING currently offers a complete structured cabling system for data center, office and industry. The portfolio is based on copper and fiber optic components and combines preLink® technology with classic toolless IDC termination technology.
The current product range of 4-pair connection technology, cables and system cables for data network technology from HARTING is designed for a transmission bandwidth of 500 MHz. It corresponds to Category 6A per ISO/IEC and ensures reliable data transmission up to 10 Gigabit/s. In industrial applications, Category 6A offers sufficient reserves. The field level is often still dominated by the two-pair wiring technique employed chiefly for automation profiles such as PROFINET. This is characterized by a high proportion of on-site assembly and a limitation to Fast Ethernet. HARTING has upgraded the cabling spectrum in the direction of Category 6A for these applications as well. Consequently, a four-pair product range is currently available for PROFINET. As a result, investment security is assured for many years.
Looking to the future
Still, since even higher bandwidth will undoubtedly be required in future, HARTING professionals are already at work on the next generation of networks. A research project being conducted in conjunction with Reutlingen University and other experts is designing and testing new technologies for the transmission of 100 Gigabit/s over symmetric transmission channels based on copper.
