ODVA 2025 Industry Conference

Use of the Wireless medium in more deterministic applications, more generally known as Motion applications, requires some ability to be time sensitive to below 250 microseconds. This paper examines the tools available to enable time synchronization and how they relate to CIP Motion. Investigations into adding Time synchronization to the hardware infrastructure found the latency on 5G is relatively closed loop motion control, which would not require infrastructure time synchronization, only peer to peer.

Using Precision time protocol in C2C (Controller to Controller), D2D (Device to Device), D2C (Device to Controller) and C2D (Controller to Device) theoretical applications, D2C and C2D applications where deemed the most feasible. In the applications, Closed Loop Motion control was the dominant solution for time synchronization. This paper’s findings suggest C2D and D2D (sidelink) 5G applications are an easy to use and robust toolkit for wireless CIP Motion.

Author
Rob Lodesky, HMS Industrial Networks

As the European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act (EU CRA) and Machinery Safety Act move towards enforcement deadlines, industrial OEMs and machine builders face increasing pressure to ensure their products comply with stringent cybersecurity standards. These regulations emphasize the need for robust cybersecurity measures in industrial products, particularly focusing on communication protocols and secure development practices.

CIP Security plays a crucial role in securing Industrial Control Systems (ICS), offering confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. The implementation of CIP Security involves key aspects such as device identity management, secure communication protocols, and vulnerability mitigation, which are essential for compliance with the EU CRA and Machinery Safety Act.

This paper explores the practical implementation of CIP Security within the context of these EU regulations, highlighting how it can be used as a cybersecurity technology to meet the imposed requirements. It reviews relevant literature, identifies challenges faced by OEMs and machine builders in achieving compliance, and outlines actionable steps for integrating security into CIP-connected devices. Additionally, it covers critical topics such as patch management, incident response protocols, and robust user access control, emphasizing the need for both retrofitting security features in existing devices and designing new devices with built-in security from the outset.

By addressing these key areas, the paper aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for industrial suppliers and machine builders navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring operational security, risk management, and long-term safety of connected devices in industrial environments.

Authors
Chatrapathi GV, Utthunga
Jegajith PT, Utthunga
Nithin SP, Utthunga
Brian Batke, Rockwell Automation
Jack Visoky, Rockwell Automation

This paper presents an overview of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) applications in the Autonomous Train Technology Market including passenger and freight trains. This paper will also discuss extending the Autonomous Train Technology into the Autonomous Trolley and Bus Markets.

This paper describes how, on train wagons, the AI/ML applications can be connected to a single Gigabit Ethernet network that uses CIP. This network connects all sensors, controllers, and actuators in the wagons, as well as wired and wireless entertainment, and feeds the information to the AI/ML applications.

Though the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) subjects (Reasoning with Uncertainty, Autonomous Path Planning, Collision Avoidance, Swarm Technology, Sensor Fusion, etc.) are used to support the use cases of Train, Trolleys.

This paper will describe the following:

• The top impacting factors of the autonomous train technology market including its Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), and the regions it is being widely adopted.
• Describe the Concept of the following Grade of Automation (GoA) pertaining the trains, trolleys, and busses:
• Describe Autonomous Train, Trolly Use Cases with benefits:
  • Assisted Operation
  • Driverless Depot Operation
  • Driverless Vehicle Stabling and Provision
  • Driverless operation on Specific Sections
  • Fully Automated Operation on Entire Lines
• Additional autonomous benefits

Author
George Ditzel, Schneider Electric

As IT systems increasingly converge with OT (Operational Technology) environments, IPv6 readiness of protocols used in industrial automation becomes critical to ensure network-level interoperability in this broadening ecosystem. IPv6 is closing in on 50% of all Internet traffic per Google. The growing proliferation of IoT devices, sensors, and interconnected machinery on the OT floor demands more address space, which IPv4 cannot provide. After many years with no clear user demand for on-prem IPv6 operation, the scales are shifting in OT applications, and the time has come for EtherNet/IP to adopt these new patterns.

This paper will lay out a framework and proposed timeline for work across SIGs that will allow vendors to deploy EtherNet/IP-based solutions in an all IPv6 or hybrid network infrastructure. These enhancements will cover not just use of the longer IP address for all CIP communications (including Security and Safety) but will also propose enhancements to enable name-based operation as IPv6 addresses do not lend themselves well to either human use or device replacement use cases. Lastly, this paper will describe how IPv6 concepts and protocols of the IPv6 family can improve a user's device replacement and discovery experience.

Authors
Jakub Korbel, Rockwell Automation
Brian Batke, Rockwell Automation
Filip Zembok, Rockwell Automation

One of the conclusions emerging from the project to improve ODVA’s device description files is the recognition of the importance of metadata.  The addition of metadata to the CIP object model and its inclusion in offline device descriptors would make it possible for tools to provide contextualized presentation of devices both off-line and on-line.  Similarly, an intermediate conclusion of the Common Industrial Cloud Infrastructure (CICI) SIG has been that embedded metadata in devices enables information discovery and understanding in data science use cases.

In this paper, we will revisit the use cases for metadata in devices and will present concepts for implementing metadata support and illustrations of how this can result in enhanced representation of devices.

Authors
Greg Majcher, Rockwell Automation
Michael Schaffner, Rockwell Automation

Wireless communication technology is becoming increasingly used in our daily lives and as such has found its way into industrial automation through a variety of mediums. Of these wireless technologies, Bluetooth is a respected technology for wireless communication in the consumer market due to its reliability, universal adoption, ease of use, and low cost. Bluetooth is a key communication technology driver behind the Internet of Things and with the increased adoption and implementation of the Industrial Internet of Things, Bluetooth technology expands the communication selection in the industrial automation ecosystem.  

This paper aims to explore the potential for implementing Bluetooth for industrial use cases with CIP communications as the application layer interface for devices and software clients. It will examine the recent enhancements to the Bluetooth specifications that allow its potential use in the market, along with Bluetooth's security, stability, technical specifications, and the mapping of CIP onto Bluetooth transport with the exploration of implementing extensions of CIP onto Bluetooth. Additionally, feasibility by exploring use cases, industrial considerations, security at the application layer, and ODVA impact will be considered during this session’s content.

Authors
Mark Trautman, HMS Industrial Networks
Zach Farmer, HMS Industrial Networks
Todd Wiese, Rockwell Automation

Achieving carbon neutrality in industrial automation demands a holistic approach that integrates cutting-edge technologies and efficient energy management practices. This paper examines the essential automation requirements for attaining carbon neutrality, the current challenges in adopting CIP Energy, and a proposed reference architecture to address these issues.

To reach carbon neutrality, industrial automation systems must incorporate real-time energy monitoring, dynamic demand-response capabilities, and energy optimization algorithms. These systems should seamlessly integrate renewable energy sources, manage energy storage, and optimize energy consumption across all processes. Additionally, implementing predictive maintenance can minimize energy waste and enhance overall efficiency. CIP Energy offers fundamental building blocks for such solutions, meeting most of the necessary requirements.

However, implementing these solutions is not without challenges. The limited portfolio of devices supporting CIP Energy, the scarcity of compatible software applications, and the lack of knowledge and training among system designers, automation engineers, and end users pose significant obstacles.

To overcome these challenges, we propose a straightforward reference architecture that assumes partial to full CIP Energy implementation at the device level. This architecture outlines how to build energy-aware and dynamic demand-response capabilities at each layer, based on the degree of CIP Energy implementation, including workarounds to address gaps. It also discusses scaling the solution for larger implementations and cross-functional integration. The objective is to encourage the adoption of CIP Energy in devices and other OEM software, and to solidify the architecture through ODVA, potentially including necessary upgrades to the CIP Energy specification.

Authors
Chatrapathi GV, Utthunga
Jegajith PT, Utthunga
Nithin SP, Utthunga

In the Spring 2023 publication of the CIP family of specifications, ODVA announced the addition of an important new technology, Concurrent Connections which enables flexible, zero switchover time, end-to-end redundancy solutions. Since that time Concurrent Connections sparked interest and evolved. The Concurrent Connections topic was presented at the ODVA 2023 Industry Conference and triggered discussions. The topic resonated at CIP System Architecture Special Interest Group meetings, which resulted in two CIP Specification Enhancements clarifying Concurrent Connections behavior. The Concurrent Connections are the backbone of new CIP Safety solutions.

The Concurrent Connections are inherently coupled with device redundancy. The mechanism of redundancy, both in controllers and devices, is rightly left vendor-specific because it does not impact multi-vendor interoperability. However, vendors would like to see ODVA-defined best practices to implement redundancy in both controllers and devices to simplify their adoption of concurrent connections and ensure that end-user system expectations are met. This paper discusses potential best practices to support controller and device vendors, with a specific focus on these areas that they struggle with today:

• How to coordinate originators of a concurrent connection?
• How to meet the requirements for the concurrent connection payload production on the endpoints of the concurrent connection?
• How to handle concurrent connection payload consumed by redundant devices? 

Finally, this paper offers a brief plan for the adoption and implementation of Concurrent Connections technology.

Authors
Filip Zembok, Rockwell Automation
Darren Klug, Rockwell Automation 
Jakub Korbel, Rockwell Automation

EtherNet/IP is positioned to have class-leading holistic protection against cybersecurity threats. The security effort began with TLS and DTLS applied to EtherNet/IP and has now progressed to include the holistic defense-in-depth of other aspects of EtherNet/IP. This paper discusses the protection of EDS files that are used to describe a CIP device. EDS files are intended to be shared publicly and installed by end users in tools from different vendors, as such they are an important aspect of an interconnected system of EtherNet/IP devices.  

Although environments which use EDS files may vary, this paper uses common assumptions to envision likely threats and their severity. The paper explores the threats on EDS files, severity of those threats, and what common security techniques can be used to mitigate these threats.

Authors
Jack Visoky, Rockwell Automation
Joakim Wiberg, ODVA

Following the acquisition of FDT technology by FieldComm Group (FCG), the industrial automation community has the opportunity to enhance our technologies to allow a single device integration standard to be used through discrete, hybrid and process automation disciplines. Double work on business logic and user interface for a device across different technologies and for use in different applications can be eliminated.

In this paper we outline the use cases that FCG – together with ODVA, PNO and OPC Foundation – wish to address. We will look at some of the initial technical assumptions that allow this work to dovetail into device description improvements already underway within ODVA. We will discuss the framework that will allow ODVA members to contribute to and benefit from this work.

Authors
Paul Brooks, Rockwell Automation
Wolfgang Hoeferlin, Endress+Hauser
Sean Vincent, FieldComm Group
Joakim Wiberg, ODVA

EtherNet/IP In-cabinet system is intended to replace the hardwiring between devices with a single composite media that provides both power and communication. This innovative approach simplifies installation, reduces engineering time and leverages the intelligence in the devices to provide greater information for maintenance and process optimization. In this paper, we highlight the transformative impact of the SPE/T1S implementation, as defined by ODVA's released specification. We will explore the expansion of the EtherNet/IP In-cabinet ecosystem and discuss strategies to overcome barriers to technology adoption.  This includes sharing knowledge on the EMC performance of flat ribbon cables, expanding application use cases through integration with CIP Safety, ensuring futureproofing with compatibility to upcoming IEEE standards, and advancements in flat media and connector development in IEC standards.

Authors
Yutao Wang, Rockwell Automation
David Brandt, Rockwell Automation
Kelly Passineau, Rockwell Automation
Vivek Hajarnavis, Rockwell AutomationAbstract:

To achieve the visions of Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing, the ways in which control networks and information networks interact are becoming more frequent and more complex than ever. This presents some difficult challenges and numerous new options for users architecting production systems using control system networks like EtherNet/IP.  

More data is now required from manufacturing machinery and much of that data originates in devices participating in the production system. Devices with new functionality not directly related to controlling the production system are now being included on what is known as the “control network.” Beyond the question of “what is a control network?”, there are numerous other questions that should be clarified for the architects of manufacturing production systems. These questions include:

• How do we define an EtherNet/IP network? How should we define an EtherNet/IP control system network?
• Should devices not related to the functioning of the production system be included on an EtherNet/IP network?
• How many EtherNet/IP nodes can be on an EtherNet/IP network? Should a maximum number of nodes be specified?
• How should a reliable, efficient and high-performing EtherNet/IP network be architected?
• What are the requirements of an Ethernet network hosting an EtherNet/IP control network? 

In addition to introducing the “One Big Switch” optimum performance EtherNet/IP network design model, this paper addresses these questions and presents a wired Ethernet network architecture for EtherNet/IP conformant devices exchanging control signal traffic.

Authors
Gary Workman, Industrial Ethernet Consulting LLC
John Rinaldi, Real Time Automation