Cooperation on Embedded Ethernet Solutions

Hirschmann™, one of the brands of the US data communications specialist Belden, and the system integrator port from Halle (Saale) have entered into an agreement for close cooperation in the area of Embedded Ethernet solutions.

In future, as a certified engineering partner, port will supply Hirschmann™ switching technology to manufacturers of intelligent automation equipment, such as motor starters, frequency converters and sensors. This equipment includes not only an Ethernet switch IP core but also fully embedded Ethernet modules that function as Profinet I/O devices, EtherNET/IP adapter devices or EtherCAT slave controllers.

Embedded solutions enable intelligent automation equipment to be linked into Ethernet networks and conveniently administered using specialized management software such as HiVision. As a certified engineering partner of Hirschmann™, port will offer manufacturers of such equipment an extensive service package ranging from consulting through licensing right down to the integration of tailored embedded solutions.

The system integrator port is a specialist for fieldbus communications with many years’ automation experience.

“The fact that port has access to a large number of field equipment manufacturers means that this agreed cooperation will enable us to significantly advance our plans to establish Ethernet technology in the automation market”, comments Wolfgang Schenk, manager of Hirschmann Automation and Control, the Industrial Ethernet business unit at Belden. “We also need to continue concentrating on vertical integration, which means providing solutions that offer users genuinely seamless technology. This not only involves appropriate infrastructure components, such as Ethernet switches and a matching network management system, we also need to extend the functionality and manageability of these components all the way to the endpoints, the intelligent actuators and sensors. We therefore needed to expand our conventional, highly successful sales channels, whose particularly strengths lie in the field of system integration and value added distribution. With port as sales partner for our embedded module and as certified engineering partner for the individual integration and customization of customer interfaces we are now perfectly set up.” port’s CEO Dietmar Franke adds: “The proven industrial switching technology from Hirschmann™ means that we can now offer our customers an additional competitive edge for their equipment.”

Reader enquiries