Industrial Ethernet or fieldbus, which one will become mainstream?

Industrial Ethernet, fieldbus, and industrial wireless are the three major mainstream technologies in the field of industrial communications. Integrating fieldbus, Ethernet, embedded technology, and wireless communication technology into the control network
not only ensures system stability, but also enhances the openness and interoperability of the system, thereby helping companies to accelerate new product development, reduce production costs, and improve information services. As human
demand for communication grows, the network has become an indispensable means of transmission. With the increase in network applications, there are more and more disputes over who will become the main mode of industrial communication in the future. So who will become
the mainstream in the future?

The concept of fieldbus was formally proposed in 1984. The emergence of fieldbus not only simplifies the structure of the system, but also greatly simplifies the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of the entire control system.
Therefore, the emergence of fieldbus technology has indeed brought a profound revolution to industrial automation. In the past decade, it has also developed rapidly in the field of industrial control and has been
widely used in industrial automation systems. However, there is still no unified standard for fieldbus technology. In fact, since the concept of fieldbus was proposed, the International Electrotechnical Commission/International Standards Association (IEC/ISA)
has begun to formulate fieldbus standards, and the unified standard has not yet been completed. Many companies have also launched their own fieldbus technologies, but it is still difficult to unify their openness and interoperability.

While the battle for fieldbus standards was in full swing, Ethernet quietly entered the control field, giving rise to a new term "industrial Ethernet". Due to
the advantages of Ethernet transmission speed being faster than fieldbus, Ethernet technology has been in its prime since its birth, and its momentum has even surpassed fieldbus in recent years. However, just like the battle for fieldbus standards, industrial Ethernet
has also seen the emergence of a variety of different Ethernet technologies, such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, ModbusTCP, EtherCAT, Powerlink, etc., and these networks are based on different technologies and protocols at different levels
, including OPC, CP, IP, etc. Moreover, each technology is supported by different vendors, which determines the coexistence of multiple Ethernet technologies.

Let's talk about wireless technology. From complex wiring to only needing a wireless signal transmitter, from relying on PCs to now being able to use any device equipped with a wireless terminal adapter, connecting to the network presents
a situation where it is unimpeded at any time, in any region, and on any device. The development of technology has also promoted social progress. Whether it is military products, industrial products, or even civilian products, wireless
technology has become an indispensable part of social development. Compared with wired networks, wireless networks are mobile and have no restrictions on communication cables. Communication terminals can be freely moved
or arranged in the communication area; networking is fast and flexible. The installation of wireless communication systems avoids the tedious work of digging cable trenches and laying cables when installing wired networks, reducing the construction workload; the coverage area is wide, and wireless communication can be used
throughout the areas where wired communications can reach, and data communication can be realized in places where it is inconvenient to use wired networks; the expansion capability is strong, and a variety of topological structures can be formed, making it very easy to expand nodes. Of course,
at this stage, people still have doubts and wait-and-see attitudes towards the security, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of wireless technology, and do not know much about what kind of industrial applications wireless technology is suitable for.

Fieldbus, Ethernet, and wireless technologies all have their pros and cons, so which one will be the mainstream in the future? Obviously, there is not only one technology that is the "right" solution for all manufacturers or machines? Manufacturers
must weigh the value of various solutions. Is there another profit that is more valuable than the benefits of adopting ordinary solutions? If so, how do these solutions
compare with the cost of maintaining another factory-level technology and corresponding supplier relationships for several years? This is a key question, and only the end user can answer it. Similarly, these questions apply to fieldbus and Ethernet technologies, and even
the choice of wireless network solutions in the future.

It can be said that the development of any technology is ultimately determined by its own characteristics, and users will give the final answer. Regardless of which of Ethernet, fieldbus, and wireless technology will be the mainstream in the future,
how to make industrial control systems more open and compatible is the ultimate trend.