On the way to Industry 4.0 communication technology and the components designed for it play a key role. There are a variety of networks that are incompatible with each other. To bring them to a common denominator, so that data exchange takes place, you need Gateways. They connect the networks in all layers (OSI model) and translate the communication protocols. In this article we present Gateway innovations for your factory of the future. 

Contents

• Gateways 2024 – The most important things in brief
• Gateway Innovations
  • Flexible, customizable gateway for agricultural technology
  • SD Gateway variant with improved error diagnosis
  • Profinet gateway for remote I/O with S2 system redundancy
  • IIoT capable AS Interface Gateways for use in the field
  • IP67 PLC with cloud connection and Edge Gateway
  • First zone 2 gateway for the hazardous area
  • Intesis Gateway's growing building network
  • Master gateway and software for component commissioning
  • Gateways for Modbus-to-Ethernet / IP
  • Smart IoT gateways for edge computing to remote maintenance
  • Smart Energy Gateways for EEG and switchgear
  • Wireless cloud gateways with UMTS and WLAN
  • Profinet gateway for seamless integration of device and process data
• Archive for Gateway novelties
• Frequently asked questions

Gateways 2024 – The most important things in brief

Gateways are crucial for the transformation and modernization of various industries, especially in the industrial one Automations and communication technology. They act as Bridge between different networks, devices or technologies, enabling seamless communication and data transfer. 

No matter whether it is about IoT gateways whether the payment gateways enable secure online transactions: the gateway plays a central role in shaping the digital future. A gateway takes into account all layers of the OSI model (ISO/OSI reference model).

Gateways for industrial Automation will be in the course of digital transformation constantly evolving. The integration of Artificial intelligence and machine learning Edge Computing, cybersecurity, 5G compatibility or interoperability are the trends that influence this development.

Gateway Innovations

What New Products The industry presented here is shown below:

Flexible, customizable gateway for agricultural technology

Mar 13.03.2024, XNUMX | The Isobus Gateway from IFM Electronic was for agricultural equipment designed to allow seamless integration of Isobus functions into existing control programs. By implementing the ready-made function library, which is compatible with Codesys V2.3 or V3.5, the user interface can be efficiently adapted to specific needs.

This advanced system places the company on the Hannover Messe 2024 before. It optimizes data transmission significant by only conveying relevant information for viewing on the connected display. This noticeably reduces the load on the data bus and at the same time reduces development time and costs.

The gateway also makes it easier Integration into existing vehicle systems by establishing a direct connection to the tractor's display. The display can be easily customized using the included software and standard Isobus visualization objects. The support of the AUX function enables tailored operation, while the M12Plug-in connection ensures problem-free compatibility with the manufacturer's own mobile controls via CAN interface.

Developed for rough use, the gateway is suitable for 12V and 24V On-board voltage networks. Thanks to the high protection class IP67 and the robust construction, it offers reliable protection under extreme conditions. Shock and vibration resistance ensure consistently stable performance.

SD gateway variant with improved error diagnosis

19.09.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX | the Schmersal Group presents their new one SD gateway Variant. This offers improved error diagnosis, which minimizes downtimes and simplifies commissioning and maintenance. The user-friendly device is easy to install. 

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Profinet gateway for remote I/O with S2 system redundancy

05.12.2022 | When connecting an installed device base to the IIoT, one expects the integration of an Ethernet-based base process control and simultaneous access to complete diagnostic data. Pepperl + Fuchs presents new ones for this Profinet gateways for LB and FB remote I/O systems. 

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IIoT capable AS Interface Gateways for use in the field

22.11.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX | That AS interface has proven to be simple and cost-effective when integrating actuators and sensors in the field. For almost 20 years now, however, nothing has changed on the ASi Gateway. The new ASi-3 gateways from Pepperl+Fuchs open up completely new possibilities here. 

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IP67 PLC with cloud connection and Edge Gateway function

06.08.2020 | Turck now has the first with the Tben-L-PLC IP67 control with Edge Gateway presented worldwide, which has an integrated Codesys PLC and can be connected directly to the cloud. Thanks to multi-protocol technology, it can communicate simultaneously via different Ethernet protocols. 

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First Zone-2 Ethernet gateway for hazardous areas

01.04.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX | With the first Zone 2 Ethernet Gateway for the I/O system Excom opens Turck the process industry for digitization and Industry 4.0. With this gateway, all process data reach IT systems for analysis and evaluation quickly enough for the first time via a parallel data channel.

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Intesis Gateway's growing building network

30.01.2020 | HMS Networks added the gateway for building automation to its portfolio in January 2020. The company is thus once again expanding its product portfolio to include communication solutions for the Technical Building Services. After taking over the Spanish company interest In 2016, the company began marketing Intesis products through the global HMS sales channels in early 2020.

Each gateway can support two different networks Building automation connect with each other. To do this, the gateways convert the protocols. The protocol converters cover most applications with typical protocols such as Bacnet, KNX, Modbus, Dali, M-Bus etc. 

Another product focus is a gateway for the integration of air conditioning in the building management system. This gateway integrates air conditioning systems from well-known manufacturers such as Daikin, Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, etc. in Bacnet, KNX, Modbus or WLAN networks.

HMS Networks sees with the gateways great growth potential in the field of building automation. One of the driving forces behind increasing building automation is the revised EU directive EPBD. It pursues the goal of improving the overall energy efficiency of buildings and making them more intelligent. In order to achieve this, the networking of the individual systems such as heating, cooling, light control, energy meters, window opening, shading control, etc. as well as the collection and evaluation of data within buildings will increase significantly. The gateway plays a major role in this. Another important aspect is well-being, which takes into account the needs of people in a smart building and ensures more comfort and quality of life. This, too, can only be guaranteed with networked systems and a large number of data acquisitions.

"The Intesis gateways for building automation perfectly complement our existing product portfolio," explains Thilo Doring, Managing Director of HMS Industrial Networks GmbH. "By selling through our global sales channels, we can significantly increase our market presence in the various sales markets. The increasing demand, for example, for air-conditioned office buildings due to global warming in Central and Northern Europe on the one hand and the reduction in energy consumption on the other We need intelligent and networked systems, so we expect an increasing demand for Intesis solutions for the DACH region in the coming years".

Master gateway and software for component commissioning

25.10.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX | the Room Group presents the "Smart Communication Module" (SCM) in connection with the "Guide Z" commissioning software. These enable easy parameterization and commissioning and allow the advantages and functionalities of IO-Link components robots to exploit – on robots that only allow digital communication. 

The SCM as Master Gateway is in an execution for that switch cabinetmounting (protection class IP20) or for direct installation on the robot flange (IP54). Both versions are designed for connecting two IO-Link components and can program the individual parameters of the components. They permanently take over the conversion of the bus protocol from digital I/O to IO-Link.

However, you also need a temporary one during parameterization Ethernet connection. Thus, despite the relatively limited capabilities of a digital I/O transmission infrastructure of many robots, it is possible to use almost all functionalities of the manufacturer's highly developed IO-Link components.

6G network | Bidirectional radio link and Thz receiver

Guide Z is a software tool for quick and extremely easy commissioning of components. It enables user-guided implementation and commissioning for everyone. It is possible to switch between wizard or beginner and expert mode. The parameter data of this 7-step commissioning can be easily and uncomplicatedly adapted to any PLC control or also to small control systems.

Gateways for Modbus to Ethernet/IP

28.06.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX | The device family of serial device servers and gateways from Phoenix Contact enables the seamless integration of various protocols in a network or the simple migration of existing serial devices to modern Ethernet.

The new gateways Modbus to Ethernet/IP can integrate existing Modbus participants (TCP or RTU slaves) into the Ethernet/IP protocol. The Modbus registers are easily and conveniently mapped into the Ethernet/IP protocol and made available via web-based management. There are variants with up to four serial interfaces (each RS-232/422/485) and with up to two Ethernet RJ45 ports. In combination with the extended temperature range from -40° to +70 °C and an extensive approval package (UL, IECex, Atex), the gateways are suitable for all industries.

Smart IoT gateways for edge computing to remote maintenance

06.03.2019 | Insys Icom shows how the Industrial IoT can already be implemented with the new Smart IoT Gateways for a variety of applications from data acquisition to edge computing to professional remote maintenance. They support all common protocols required by the industry.

Gateway and router can do more than data transmission

The complete solution is designed for the Industrial IoT and thus secures the future and competitiveness of the company in the long term. The basic elements are the VPN routers and IoT gateways of the MRX, MRO, SCR and ECR series. Due to their feature-rich, hardened IoT operating system "Icom OS", their integrated computing power for their own applications "Icom Smartbox" and scalable software for edge computing "Icom Data Suite", gateway and Router more than data transfer.

In addition to secure and flexible communication connections, they offer a wealth of data processing and control options on site as well as intelligent protocol converter. Consequently, even small systems or existing systems (retrofit) can be connected with a unique cost/benefit ratio. Commissioning and rollout processes as well as the operation of the gateways are made easy, fast and secure by the device management solution OAM.

The Smart Energy Gateway connects EEG systems, grid stations and control centers securely and flexibly, e.g. B. via IEC 60870-5-101/104. Simple automation tasks can be solved without using costly control technology. The standard gateway makes machines and systems safe, cost-efficient and permanently fit for Industry 4.0. It integrates established industry protocols such as OPC UA or Siemens S7/S5.

Smart Energy Gateways for EEG and switchgear

23.01.2019 | Insys Icom presents new Smart Energy Gateways as integrated solutions for Smart Grid and EEG systems. The gateways are used for the secure, cost-efficient monitoring and control of EEG systems or the connection of switchgear in a modern smart grid, e.g. g. via IEC 60870-5-101/104.

The intelligent routers of the MRX, MRO, SCR and ECR series function as the basic element of the Smart Energy Gateways. Thanks to its Linux environment, a software for Edge Computing and their feature-rich IoT operating system, they can do more than data transfer. In addition to secure and flexible communication connections, they offer a wealth of data processing and control options on site, e.g. B. as an intelligent protocol converter. Consequently, even small systems or existing systems (retrofit) can be connected with a unique cost/benefit ratio.

For connection to Scada and telecontrol systems Monitoring and control commands are sent via e.g. B. IEC 60870-5-104/101 and Modbus TCP are converted into the system protocol. Several simultaneous VPN tunnels and VPN technologies enable separate access for market participants. Together with other security features, the IT security requirements in the energy world are met.

Wireless cloud gateways with UMTS and WLAN

12.12.2018 | Turck presents universal IoT radio gateways for wireless connection to cloud solutions. This means that machines and systems as well as measuring points at remote locations can be easily integrated into automation networks. The new TCG20 series offers extensive interfaces.

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Profinet gateway for seamless integration of device and process data

06.12.2018 | Pepperl+Fuchs uses the LB Profinet Gateway to connect the LB remote I/O systems to the Profinet world. Thanks to consistent communication, the intelligence available in the field can also be optimally used - this makes systems fit for Industry 4.0.

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Frequently asked questions

What is meant by gateway?

The term Gateway means network node and is an essential component in the world of IP networks based on the Internet Protocol. These networks can use different communication protocols, making the gateway an indispensable component in the OSI model. 

What do you need a gateway for?

A gateway is needed to connect IP networks or devices that use different communication protocols or architectures and to enable communication between them. It serves as an interface, which translates and transfers data from one system to another, allowing devices or networks that would otherwise be incompatible to work together effectively. Gateways are used in various areas, from information technology (IT), where they connect networks across different protocols, to industrial automation and smart home technology, where they enable the integration of different devices and systems.

Source: This article is based on information from the following companies: HMS, IFM, Insys-Icom, Pepperl+Fuchs, Phoenix Contact, Schmersal, Turck, Zimmer.

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