Fischer Connectors has recently launched new products that combine high-speed data and power connectivity solutions to address the challenges faced in Industry 4.0 and IIoT operational settings. With increased sensor density, controllers, and actuators, the need for secure and efficient management of massive data through ultra-fast transmission lines with cables running over long distances has become crucial.
To cater for the market demands, Fischer Connectors has developed miniature connectors and cables that can interconnect smaller and smaller devices and sensors in areas that are confined and hard to access. Additionally, connectivity must be ruggedized to resist shock, vibration, extreme temperatures, water, and corrosion when exposed to demanding environmental and chemical conditions indoors and outdoors.
The newly launched products combine Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 high-speed protocols with Fischer Connectors’ flagship product lines’ rugged, high-density, and miniature features. These solutions enable space-saving and cost-efficient integration in industrial automation and robotics, chemical plants, food processing, automotive production lines, outdoor sensing, and unmanned systems.
Fischer Connectors’ Single Pair Ethernet solutions from the Fischer Core Series and Fischer UltiMate™ Series allow for 1 Gbit/s data transfer per IEEE 802.3bp – 1000Base-T1. These solutions are exceptionally rugged and outperform other suppliers’ SPE solutions in terms of security, durability, as well as environmental and mechanical performance. Fischer SPE complies with MIL-STD norms (through Fischer UltiMate™) and offers 10,000 mating cycles, three locking mechanisms (push-pull, screw, quick-release), and hermetic sealing in addition to IP68/ IP69 ratings. The ultra-miniature Fischer MiniMax™ connector in ‘size 06’ (Ø 10 mm receptacle) also features SPE.
The demand for USB 3.0+ protocol is high in Industry 4.0 operations as it offers high data transfer rates with low latency for IIoT control applications, nearly twice the power output than USB 2.0 (900 mA vs. 500 mA), better power efficiency due to lower consumption in the idle state, and larger bandwidth. Fischer MiniMax™ connectors with USB 3.2 Gen 2 allow for 10 Gbit/s data transfer, offer additional power contacts up to 8 A, and are half the size of some competitor connectors with similar speed but no power.
Alongside the product release, Fischer Connectors has published a trend paper entitled “The Connectivity Challenge – Connecting Industry 4.0” highlighting three challenges OEM engineers face designing IIoT applications and three innovation practices addressing cybersecurity, global logistics, and Edge/Cloud infrastructure.
