Synchronous Serial Interface (SSI) Protocol for Encoders

This article discusses some of the encoder types, signal types, and wiring needed for synchronous serial interface (SSI) protocol. Many encoders use a form of signal communication called SSI (synchronous serial interface). Although the name contains the term serial, like the common industrial serial RS-232 protocols, this is a simple way to transmit information. This … Read more

What Is the Difference Between Profibus and Profinet?

An overview of the requirements, standards, applications, and main differences between Profinet and Profibus communication protocol, connectors, and evolution from its original technology. Profibus and Profinet are two of the most popular communication protocols used in industrial automation. Both protocols share a similar origin story, as they were conceived out of the need for standardizing … Read more

Networking Woes | How And Why To Change the IP Address of my Computer?

Every method of connecting to an industrial device—USB, serial, or Ethernet—poses challenges. For Ethernet, we often must adjust the IP address of our PC, not only the device itself. The story is familiar. You find yourself configuring a new networked device to find that it only contains a single or double Ethernet port. No familiar … Read more

Industrial Networks: “Protocol over a Standard?”

Industrial communication channels often contain terms such as ‘Modbus over RS485’ or ‘CIP Safety over Ethernet’. What does it mean to send one network over another, and how does it work to your advantage? Industrial networking relies on the knowledge of professionals who are becoming more widely recognized with the term ‘OT’, meaning operational technology. … Read more