NURNBERG, Germany, Nov. 26, 2025 – The first industrial applications of the jointly developed Ethernet-APL technology by the Standard Development Organizations (SDO) FieldComm Group, ODVA, OPC Foundation and PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) are already in successful operation in process automation applications worldwide. Now, another significant milestone has been reached: The Joint Working Group “Independent Protocol Physical Layer Group (10BASE-T1L)” has completed key extensions for the consistent standardization of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and enhancements to Ethernet-APL. This new SPE specification (10BASE-T1L, PoDL) enables higher powered devices and economical deployment in discrete, non-hazardous factory environments such as automotive and packaging.
These advancements strengthen the foundation for reliable, vendor-independent communication and ensure seamless data availability from the field level upward—enabling smarter industrial automation and digital transformation.
Following intensive technical coordination and internal reviews within the participating organizations, important specifications have been finalized. For SPE, this includes the expansion of the power concept, that includes Power over Data Line (PoDL), appropriate power classes, and the definition of suitable connectors. In the Ethernet-APL domain, Power Class B, which supports devices up to 1.16 W, has been specified and incorporated into the second edition of IEC TS 63444.
Another milestone is the preparation of certification systems. Building on the experience gained from the APL project, test cases and a test system have been developed to ensure a high standard of quality and physical layer interoperability. In parallel, joint marketing activities are already underway: technical guidelines, user seminars, and demonstrators are currently being implemented.
These advancements are the result of close and successful collaboration among the participating SDOs. Broad consensus and combined expertise have created a common foundation that is essential for both users and manufacturers. This guiding principle ensures reliable and future-proof implementation in industrial practice. Further improvements like adding the bandwidth of 100Mbit/s for 2-wire Ethernet applications (100BASE-T1L), are already in progress. The integration into the IEC cycle, specifically into IEC IS 61158-100, is also planned.
The joint initiative for the standardization of SPE and Ethernet-APL continues successfully. With the specifications now finalized, SPE is standardized, and Ethernet-APL further enhanced. This paves the way for broad implementation by users and manufacturers–supported by a robust and quality-assured conformance testing framework.
“ODVA is pleased to support the continued development of Ethernet-APL and SPE to drive the immense benefits of Ethernet digital communication down to the field level. The Ethernet-APL and SPE physical layers will allow for simplified wiring, reduced cost, and longer cable runs for EtherNet/IP network users in factory and process automation worldwide," said Dr. Al Beydoun, president and executive director, ODVA.
“The alignment of Ethernet-APL and SPE provides a solid foundation for unified, vendor-independent Ethernet communication in industrial automation. Together with OPC UA, these technologies enable consistent and interoperable information exchange across all system levels," said Stefan Hoppe, president and executive director, OPC Foundation.
About FieldComm Group
FieldComm Group is a global standards-based organization consisting of leading process end users, manufacturers, universities and research organizations that work together to direct the development, incorporation and implementation of new and overlapping technologies and serves as the source for FDI technology. FieldComm Group’s mission is to develop, manage and promote global standards for integrating digital devices into automation system architectures while protecting process-automation investments in HARTand FOUNDATION Fieldbus communication technologies. Membership is open to anyone interested in the use of the technologies.
About ODVA
ODVA is an international standards development and trade organization with members from the world’s leading automation suppliers. ODVA’s mission is to advance open, interoperable information and communication technologies for industrial automation. Its standards include the Common Industrial Protocol or “CIP,” ODVA’s media independent network protocol – and industrial communication technologies including EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet and others. For interoperability of production systems and their integration with other systems, ODVA embraces the adoption of commercial-off-the-shelf, standard Internet and Ethernet technologies as a guiding principle. This principle is exemplified by EtherNet/IP – today’s leading industrial Ethernet network. Visit ODVA on-line at www.odva.org.
About the OPC Foundation
Since 1996, the OPC Foundation has facilitated the development and adoption of the OPC information exchange standards. As both advocate and custodian of these specifications, the Foundation’s mission is to help industry vendors, end-users, and software developers maintain interoperability in their manufacturing and automation assets. The OPC Foundation is dedicated to providing the best specifications, technology, process, and certification to achieve multivendor, multiplatform, secure, reliable, interoperability for moving data and information from the embedded world to the enterprise cloud. The Foundation serves over 1000 members worldwide in the Industrial Automation, IT, IoT, IIoT, M2M, Industrie 4.0, Building Automation, machine tools, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and Smart Energy sectors.
About PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI)
PI is a wide spread automation community in the world represented by 25 different Regional PI Associations and is responsible PROFIBUS and PROFINET, the two leading industrial communications protocols covering all industries. The common interest of PI’s global network of vendors, developers, system integrators and end users lies in promoting, supporting and using PROFIBUS and PROFINET. Regionally and globally over 1,500 member companies are working closely together around the world to the best automation possible. The organization’s global influence and reach is unmatched in the world of automation.
