CONTINUED GROWTH FOR INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET AND WIRELESS NETWORKS - INDUSTRIAL NETWORK MARKET SHARES 2023 ACCORDING TO HMS NETWORKS

Every year, HMS Networks analyzes the industrial network market to estimate the distribution of new connected nodes in factory automation.

This year’s study shows that the industrial network market is expected to grow by 7% in 2023. Industrial ethernet still shows the highest growth and now accounts for 68% of all new installed nodes (66% last year). Fieldbuses decline to 24% (27) while wireless grows to 8% market share (7% last year). PROFIN e T and etherNet/IP share first place in the network rankings with 18% market share followed by the strong contender etherCAT now at 12%.

e ach year, HMS Networks presents their analysis of the industrial network market, focusing on new installed nodes within factory automation globally. As an independent supplier of solutions within Industrial ICT (Information and Communication Technology), HMS has a substantial insight into the industrial network market. The 2023 study includes estimated market shares and growth rates for fieldbuses, Industrial ethernet and wireless technologies.

In the 2023 study, HMS concludes that the industrial network market continues to grow and that the total market growth in 2023 is expected to be +7%, confirming the continued importance of network connectivity in factories.

Industrial Ethernet is growing steadily g rowing by 10%, Industrial e thernet continues to take market share. Industrial ethernet now makes up for 68% of the global market of new installed nodes in factory automation (compared to 66% last year). The head-to-head battle between PROFINeT and etherNet/IP continues as they lead the 2023 network rankings with 18% market share each, but e therCAT also continues to grow strongly and is now in an unthreatened third place at 12% market share.

Fieldbuses are decreasing again

Last year’s growth for Fieldbuses was temporary as new fieldbus installations decline with -5% in 2023. PROFIBUS leads the fieldbus rankings with 6% market share, but not with much as Modbus-RTU is close behind at 5%.

Together, fieldbuses account for 24% (27) of the market in 2023. Although the number of new fieldbus nodes are declining, a lot of devices, machines and factories will still be relying on the wellfunctioning and proven fieldbuses for many years to come.

Wireless grows fastest

The Wireless growth accelerates to +22% in 2023, as more wireless industrial networking solutions are introduced in factory automation. Typical use cases include cable replacement applications, wireless machine access and connectivity to mobile industrial equipment.

Industrial networking is key for productivity and sustainability in manufacturing

“Solid industrial network connectivity is key to achieve the manufacturing uptime which is needed to reach productivity and sustainability objectives in factory automation,” says Magnus Jansson, Product Marketing Director at HMS Networks, Business Unit Anybus. “Quality, security, safety, and gaining insights through device and machine data, are key drivers we see for the continued expansion of industrial networking.”

Regional network variations

etherNet/IP, PROFIN e T and etherCAT are leading in europe and the Middle east with PROFIBUS and Modbus-TCP as runners up. The U.S. market is dominated by etherNet/IP with etherCAT developing strongly and gaining market share. PROFIN e T leads a fragmented Asian market, followed by e therNet/IP and strong contenders CC-Link/CC-Link I e Field, etherCAT, PROFIBUS, and Modbus (RTU/TCP).

Scope: www.hms-networks.com

The study includes HMS’ estimation for 2023 based on number of new installed nodes within Factory Automation. A node is defined as a machine or device connected to an industrial field network. The presented figures represent HMS’ consolidated view, considering insights from colleagues in the industry, our own sales statistics and overall perception of the market.

HMS NETWORKS EXPANDS RANGE OF NEXT-GENERATION GATEWAYS WITH ANYBUS COMMUNICATOR ETHERCAT MAIN DEVICE

HMS now launches the Anybus® Communicator™ EtherCAT Main Device, a high-performance gateway that provides an easy and reliable way to connect EtherCAT subordinate devices to different industrial networks and control systems.

Rapidly growing EtherCAT market

In recent years, etherCAT has rapidly gained popularity and is now the third most widely installed industrial network in factory automation globally(1), and the preferred choice in the semiconductor industry. As the number of subordinate devices utilizing etherCAT continues to increase, there is a growing demand for high-performance gateways that can seamlessly connect these devices to other major industrial networks. The Anybus Communicator e therCAT Main Device addresses this demand by providing a reliable solution for connecting etherCAT subordinate devices to PROFIBUS, etherNet/IP, PROFINeT, or Modbus-TCP control systems.

Effortless scan for EtherCAT devices

With the Anybus Communicator, users can quickly and effortlessly scan the etherCAT network for devices directly from its web user interface. The Communicator automatically identifies each device and maps its data to the control system, eliminating the need to manually search for and import device description files (eSI).

Next-generation technology

Like all Anybus next-generation gateways, the Anybus Communicator etherCAT Main Device provides reliable, secure, and user-friendly technology:

Proven and fast communication using Anybus NP40 technology

The award-winning Anybus NP40 industrial network processor ensures that the Communicators meet demanding requirements in terms of industrial performance, reliability, and security. Featuring new hardware and software, the gateways enable instant data transfer – up to 10 times faster than their predecessors. Users can also exchange significantly more data between the networks as the gateways transfer up to 1 500 bytes to and from connected PLCs.

Robust and secure communication

Built using carefully selected industrial components and verified against the Ce and UL industry standards, the gateways are designed to handle harsh industrial environments.

To protect users from cyberattacks, the gateways have an onboard physical security switch that prevents unauthorized configuration changes and secure boot functionality to resist attacks and infections from malware.

Fast installation and intuitive configuration

Fast installation and smooth configuration procedures are guaranteed thanks to an optimized housing design, an intuitive User Interface, and easy-to-understand documentation.

Installation is simplified thanks to the compact gateway design with forwardfacing ports and DIN-rail mounting, which allows gateway installation close to connected devices, reducing the amount of required wiring.

Users can configure the gateways using drag-and-drop functionality in the webbased user interface, which is accessible via a dedicated e thernet port on the gateways. In the user interface, users can also monitor network traffic and diagnose issues before they become problems.

Hands-on assistance is also available, as a QR code in the user interface provides a step-by-step installation and configuration guide.

“We are delighted to add the Anybus Communicator e therCAT Main Device gateways to our list of next-generation gateways”, explains Fredrik Brynolf, Product Manager for Anybus gateways at HMS Networks. “With the effortless scanning for e therCAT devices, the intuitive user interface, and the advanced technology, these e therCAT gateways offer the easiest and most reliable way to connect etherCAT subordinate devices to other leading industrial networks and control systems”.

Anybus Communicators are available off the shelf as stand-alone ready-toinstall units. Users can personalize the Communicators to meet OeM and brand labeling requirements. The gateways can also be pre-configured and locked to be used as tightly integrated communication components of an automation device or a machine.

Use Case

The Anybus Communicator e therCAT Main Device is the easiest and most reliable way to connect e therCAT subordinate devices to control systems.

www.anybus.com/landing-pages/ anybus-communicator-campaign

(1) According to the latest edition of HMS Networks annual analysis of the industrial network market.